The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

I just finished The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abie Daré and I’m in awe. This is such a powerful, heart-wrenching book from such an unique and beautiful voice.

Just from turning the first few pages, I had a sense I was going to love this book and my inclination wasn’t wrong. This book amazed me! The books I rate 5/5 Stars are books which on top of being well-written with well developed characters and plot lines, also do something emotionally for me. This was certainly one of them.

That day, I tell myself that even if I am not getting anything in this life, I will go to school. I will finish my primary and secondary and university schooling and become a teacher because I don’t want any kind of voice….I want a louding voice.”

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who is sold by her father as a third wife to a man decades older than her in exchange for money for rent and food.

At the hands of her new husband, she experiences things no fourteen year-old should have to experience, as well as being bullied by one of the other wives. And yet she finds companionship in the younger wife, Khadijah, and this friendship keeps her going.

When tragedy occurs, Adunni flees the life she’s been living, hoping to find escape and respite in a new city. However, she is soon sold as a housemaid to a harsh mistress in Lagos. Here she is continually abused by her mistress, Big Mama, while also experiencing sexual advances from Big Mama’s husband. Through it all she continues to carry with her a dream–a dream for schooling and education.

Adunni’s story is about heart-break and injustice and abuse, but it is much, much more than that. Adunni is more than what has happened to her.

I am not a wasted waste. I am Adunni; a person important enough because my tomorrow will be better than today.”

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

She is a girl with a beautiful, courageous spirit and a deep planted desire for learning and education. She wants a voice, a ‘louding’ voice. Her voice has been stifled and stolen by the choices and actions of others, and yet what a voice she has.

In broken English, with unique and endearing prose, Adunni’s character is lifelike and connectable. She is so real, and honest and breathtakingly unique. Reading this book I heard Adunni’s voice; felt like I was there too. This is a character and story I’ll remember long after I have closed the pages.

Along with The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri this is my favourite book so far for 2020. If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it! This is a novel well deserving of being read. Adunni must be heard!

This is also posted to my Instagram.

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