The Virgin (novel)

Last updated
The Virgin
Author Bayo Adebowale
Country Nigeria
LanguageEnglish
SeriesEgret romance & thrillers
Genre Literary Fiction
PublisherBounty press and Paperback Publishers, Ibadan
Publication date
1985
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages116 pp
ISBN 978-33029-1-4
OCLC 633633330

The Virgin is the 1985 debut novel by Nigerian writer Bayo Adebowale. [1] [2] The novel, published in 1985, narrated the dilemma of a young village girl who after being deflowered must choose between three suitors, and agonizes about her secret being discovered on her wedding night. [3] [4] Scholar Wendy Griswold classifies The Virgin as a "village novel", a book that deals with the mores of a traditional Nigerian village, in the same vein as some works by Chinua Achebe. [1]

Contents

Plot

A girl from a Yoruba village is engaged to a hunter from another village. Having been seduced by a man returning to the village from his life in a Nigerian city, she nervously awaits her wedding night.

Background

Adebowale is considered a member of the "third generation" of Nigerian authors, whose works generally deal with more cosmopolitan themes than earlier generations of Nigerian writers. [5] However, unlike other members of the "third generation", Adebowale's work deals with rural life in Nigeria, particularly life in small villages. [1] The Virgin is an example of one such work; Adebowale believes that Nigerian writers and artists have a duty to examine and reflect on traditional Nigerian life. [1]

Film adaptation

Tunde Kelani wrote the screenplay and directed a 95-minute film version, titled The Narrow Path , filmed and released on May 12, 2006. The film starred Sola Asedeko, Ayo Badmus and Khabirat Kafidipe while the sound track was written and produced by Beautiful Nubia. [6] The film was edited by Mumin Wale Kelani and Frank Efe Patrick and the costume was designed by Abiola Atanda [7] Much of the dialogue and narration is taken directly from the novel. The film is considered faithful to the book in spite of the latter's non-traditional narrative. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian literature</span> Literature of Nigerians

Nigerian literature may be roughly defined as the literary writing by citizens of the nation of Nigeria for Nigerian readers, addressing Nigerian issues. This encompasses writers in a number of languages, including not only English but Igbo, Urhobo, Yoruba, and in the northern part of the county Hausa and Nupe. More broadly, it includes British Nigerians, Nigerian Americans and other members of the African diaspora.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunle Afolayan</span> Nigerian actor, director and producer (born 1975)

Kunle Afolayan(listen) is a Nigerian actor, producer and director. He is widely credited for elevating the quality of Nollywood movies through larger budgets, shooting on 35mm, releasing in cinemas, and improving cliché Nollywood storylines. After starting his film career as an actor in the 1999 political drama Saworoide, Afolayan made his directorial debut in 2006 with Irapada, a Nigerian supernatural thriller, which won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. His follow-on directing credits include The Figurine, Phone Swap, October 1, and Citation. October 1 was the winner of 16 major African movie awards in 2015 and the second highest grossing Nigerian film in Nigerian cinemas at the time of its release, a feat Afolayan was to repeat two years later with The CEO. In 2021, the director signed a three-picture deal with Netflix. Swallow, the screen adaption of Sefi Atta's book of the same name was the first to be released in October 2021, followed by Aníkúlápó, an epic Nigerian fantasy released in September 2022. Afolayan has described the work as a "Game of Thrones recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture”. Eleven days after its release, it was the #1 most-watched non-English Netflix original film.

Mohammed Bello Adoke is a Nigerian lawyer. He is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and was appointed Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation on 6 April 2010, when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his new cabinet.

Chief Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams was the first indigenous Nigerian lawyer, called to the English bar on 17 November 1879. In addition to his legal practice, he came to play an influential role in the politics of Nigeria during the colonial era. He held the chieftaincy title of the Lodifi of Ilesha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tunde Kelani</span> Nigerian filmmaker (born 1948)

Tunde Kelani, popularly known as TK, is a Nigerian filmmaker. In a career spanning more than four decades, TK specialises in producing movies that promote Nigeria's rich cultural heritage and have a root in documentation, archiving, education, entertainment and promotion of the culture.

<i>Dazzling Mirage</i> 2014 film by Tunde Kelani

Dazzling Mirage is a 2014 Nigerian drama film, produced and directed by Tunde Kelani; it stars Kemi "Lala" Akindoju, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Yomi Fash Lanso, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett and Seun Akindele. It also features special appearances from Adewale Ayuba, Sean Tizzle, Tunde Babalola and Steve Sodiya. The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by Olayinka Abimbola Egbokhare, adapted to screen by Ade Solanke. It tells the story of a young sickle-cell patient and the various social and emotional challenges she is faced with.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jide Kosoko</span> Nigerian actor (born 1954)

Jide Kosoko(Listen) is a Nigerian actor, director and producer. He was born into a royal family, hence his traditional title of prince or "omoba" in the Yoruba language.

<i>Maami</i> 2011 Nigerian drama film

Maami is a 2011 Nigerian drama film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It is based on a novel of the same name, written by Femi Osofisan, and adapted to screen by Tunde Babalola. It stars Funke Akindele as Maami, along with Wole Ojo and Olumide Bakare. Though the film was a commercial failure, it was generally met with positive critical reviews.

<i>The Narrow Path</i> (2006 film) 2006 film by Tunde Kelani

The Narrow Path is a 2006 Nigerian film, produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. The film was adapted from The Virgin, a novel written by Bayo Adebowale.

Bayo Adebowale is a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, critic, librarian and founder of the African Heritage Library and Cultural Centre, Adeyipo, Ibadan Oyo State

Kabirah KafidipeListen is a Nigerian film actress, director and producer. She is popularly known as “Araparegangan” for her role in Saworoide, a 1999 Nigerian film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani.

The White Handkerchief is a 1998 short Nigerian film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani and starring Yemi Komolafe, Yemi Shodimu, and Khabirat Kafidipe. The film was adapted from The Virgin, a debut novel of Bayo Adebowale.

Niji Akanni is a Nigerian dramatist, screenwriter, director, producer and filmmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabinet of Shehu Shagari</span>

The Cabinet of Shehu Shagari formed the government of Nigeria during the presidency of Shehu Shagari between 1979 and 1983, after the return to civilian rule with the Second Nigerian Republic. Among the cabinet Ministers are Adamu Ciroma, Bello Maitama Yusuf, Mamman Ali Makele etc. It was terminated by a military coup.

Charry Ada Onwu-Otuyelu is a Nigerian literature writer and the first female Director of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. She is from Amaigbo in Imo State. She is a fiction writer of children's literature. She is an ex-soldier that worked with the Armed Forces medical service during the Biafran war. Her themes include folktales and history.

{{Short description|Nigerian filmmaker, director and media consultant

<i>O Le Ku</i> 1997 Yoruba romantic drama film

O Le Ku is a 1997 Nigerian romantic drama film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It is an adaptation of Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola's novel of the same name. It was released in 1997 by Mainframe Film and Television Productions. It was made in two parts.

<i>Ayinla</i> (film) 2021 Nigerian movie by Tunde Kelani

Ayinla is a musical eponymous film based on the life of Ayinla Yusuf popularly known as Ayinla Omowura, an Apala musician who was stabbed to death by his manager named Bayewu in a bar fight on 6 May 1980 at Abeokuta. The film premiered on 13 June 2021 in Lagos and was released to theatres on 18 June 2021. Directed by Tunde Kelani, the film was set in the 1970s and early 1980s and shot in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Lateef Adedimeji assumed the role of Ayinla, starring alongside Omowumi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Ade Laoye, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Ademoye and Mr Macaroni. Ayinla is Kelani's first major film since his 2015 release of Dazzling Mirage. The budget for this feature film is officially given as ₦50 Million.

<i>King of Thieves</i> (2022 film) 2022 Nigerian film

King of Thieves (Agẹṣinkólé) is a 2022 Nigerian thriller film produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani. It stars Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Adebowale "Debo" Adedayo aka Mr Macaroni, Lateef Adedimeji, and Ibrahim Chatta. The Epic Yoruba-language movie was produced by Femi Adebayo's Euphoria360 media and co-produced by the Niyi Akinmolayan's Anthill studios. The movie's premiere was held on April 4, 2022, and the star-studded event was held at the IMAX Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos which featured lot of trends and talk-point. The movie hit the cinema nationwide from April 8, 2022,

<i>Aníkúlápó</i> Nigerian film

Aníkúlápó is a 2022 Nigerian epic fantasy film produced by Kunle Afolayan and distributed by Netflix. Released on 30 September 2022, it stars Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale,Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Taiwo Hassan. The film was shot in Oyo State and Afolayan has described the work as a "Game of Thrones recreated in Nigeria but with a better representation of our culture ".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Griswold, Wendy (19 June 2000). Bearing Witness: Readers, Writers, and the Novel in Nigeria. ISBN   0691058296 . Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  2. "Pragmatic Features of Nigerian English : A Case Study of Selected Poems of Bayo Adebowale" (PDF). Unilorin.edu.ng. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  3. "When pages flip to inhabit screens - Weekly Trust". Dailytrust.com.ng. 2014-06-28. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  4. Ehling, Holger G.; Mutius, Claus-Peter Holste-von (2001). No Condition Is Permanent: Nigerian Writing and the Struggle for Democracy - Holger Ehling, Claus-Peter Holste-von Mutius - Google Books. ISBN   9042014865 . Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  5. Dalley, Hamish (Winter 2013). "The Idea of "Third Generation Nigerian Literature": Conceptualizing Historical Change and Territorial Affiliation in the Contemporary Nigerian Novel". Research in African Literatures. 44 (4): 15–34. doi:10.2979/reseafrilite.44.4.15. hdl: 1885/75434 . S2CID   143625804.
  6. "Chemistry graduate behind winning sound tracks". Punchng.com. 2013-06-12. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  7. "The Narrow Path (2006)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  8. Kerr, David; Banham, Martin; Gibbs, James; Plastow, Jane; Osofisan, Femi (2011). Media and Performance - Google Books. ISBN   9781847010384 . Retrieved 2015-04-04.