A powerful tale of strength and courage.

Genre : Fiction / Drama

Pages: 312

First published: 2020

Original language: English

The plot: Adunni is young girl living in Ikati, Nigeria, who aspires to an education. Sold into marriage by her father to a much older man, she is repeatedly raped but finds comfort and friendship with her husband’s second wife, Khadija. When Khadija dies in childbirth, Adunni finds herself implicated and escapes to Lagos, where she takes a job as housekeeper in the home of Big Madam, a cruel, unhappy and domineering woman. Beaten and starved, Adunni nevertheless strives to find her voice, and dares to hope for a better future.

What did I think of the book?

It was incredible. I took this book on a weekend trip to London, and spent every spare moment devouring each word. It was real, raw and utterly engrossing from the very beginning. Adunni’s courage, spirit, and tendency to never give up no matter what life throws at her, will stay with me for a long time.

There are shades of Jane Eyre to this novel : the unfortunate childhood, the good friend who dies, the cruel and heartless older woman who ultimately is to be pitied. I felt a definite influence.

What was most intriguing about this book?

The novel is narrated entirely by Adunni in broken English. As her English improves (via lessons with her new friend and neighbor in Lagos, Tia) so does the language of the novel. It’s a gradual improvement, almost imperceptible, but a clever touch by the author.

The theme of resilience within the novel was also striking, and drew from me audible gasps at various points. Throughout the story, Adunni endures rape, slavery, repeated beatings, starvation and bereavement, and still her spirit remains strong. She continually hopes that “tomorrow will be better than today”.

What am I going to take away from this book?

The Girl With The Louding Voice was so good I didn’t want it to end! I wondered what happened to Adunni after the events of the novel. Imagine my joy when I discovered that Abi Dare has written a sequel! Adunni showed me that no hardship, no matter its nature, is forever. Faith and hope for a better future carries us through hard times, and there is no problem that cannot be fixed.

Will I enjoy this book?

Absolutely. The opening chapters with their broken English are hard work, but stick with it – you will be rewarded. This is a must read novel and a future classic.

Rating : 5/5