THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE
by Abi Dare
One of the things I have appreciated most in books this year is their ability to completely transport me to another place or time or culture. Although The Girl With The Louding Voice was not always a happy journey, I was completely absorbed and would emerge from each reading session dazed.
Dare takes the reader to rural Nigeria where we meet 14-year-old Adunni who wants an education so that she can become a teacher for the girls in her village. But when her father, who is short on funds, marries her off as the third wife to a much older man, those dreams seem further away than ever. Through a series of cruel attacks and plain bad luck, Adunni ends up in Lagos where she finds herself a housemaid to a wealthy, abusive woman. As her journey continues, she never loses sight of her goal. If anything her passion to educate the poor, rural girls in her country becomes stronger and more urgent.
Dare’s character Adunni fascinates with her indefatigable optimism and drive. She manages to inspire rather than grate, and although innocent, even naive, her intelligence and curiosity shine though. The story has plenty of wonderful twists, redemptions and victories—a must read for sure. (Lily)
A SECOND HELPING
Having been reviewed by my co-editor (Jan. 2021 L&L) and further recommended by my friend Sue, I read The Girl with the Louding Voice with high expectations. Dare’s book surpassed those expectations by a huge margin. The author creates an unforgettable main character in 14-year-old Adunni. Raised in Nigeria and married off young by her father, Adunni eventually flees the marriage but finds herself enslaved to a rich woman. The novel follows Adunni as she rises above the crushing challenges in her life and finds a way to follow her dream of getting an education and becoming a teacher. Written in Adunni’s charming voice, The Girl with the Louding Voice is an absolute triumph and a must-read. (Liz)
