Fourteen-year-old Adunni is sold off to be a bride, then runs away from her husband to be a servant in harsh household environment. Told in Adduni's broken English, she has her heart set on getting an education.

Her story is heartbreaking, but her determination to learn keeps her going despite her current circumstances. This is a story about survival, friendship, and perseverance. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by reading The Girl with the Louding Voice.

From debut author Abi Daré comes THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE, a powerful novel told from the point of view of Adunni, a 14-year-old Nigerian girl who longs for an education so that she can have a real voice in her life. But with abusive men and corruption surrounding her at every turn, she will have to get loud in order to get what she wants.

When we meet Adunni, she is still grieving the loss of her mother, who died after contracting a terrible, bloody cough. Her mother was passionate about education and imbued Adunni with the same respect not only for intellect, but for the written word. Unfortunately for Adunni and her siblings, their mother was the glue holding the family together. Without her, their father has turned to alcohol to cope, depleting their already meager savings.

Papa tells Adunni that the family has no more money to pay their community rent, but that a kind man in town has offered to help --- in exchange for a bride. Adunni is horrified; not only did her father promise her mother never to marry her to a man in lieu of securing her education, but her husband-to-be, Morufu, already has two wives and a handful of children. What will Adunni’s life look like as the third wife to a man at least twice her age? As Adunni contemplates her future, she is even more shocked by the reactions of her peers. Rather than have sympathy for her, they are gleeful and even jealous that she has found a good, wealthy man to help care for her and her family.

When Adunni marries Morufu and meets his first and second wives, Labake and Khadija, she enters into a toxic, abusive household where she is forced to share Morufu’s bed three times a week and endure his “roughings” and clean and cook the rest of the time. All the while she must dodge the hateful attacks of Labake, who is jealous of her husband’s second and third wives. Her only solace is Khadija, who takes Adunni under her wing and acts as a sort of mother to her, even going so far as to help her find and prepare contraceptives to avoid becoming pregnant so young. Just as Adunni feels that she has found a sort of careful balance, Khadija suffers a miscarriage that will have dangerous and life-altering repercussions for Adunni. Fearing the worst of her village’s “jungle law” (which has seen many of her neighbors killed for even being suspected of a crime), Adunni flees.

Finding help through an old friend of her mother’s, Adunni travels to the prosperous and glittering town of Lagos, where she becomes a maid to a wealthy woman known as Big Madam. Though Big Madam is needlessly cruel at times, Adunni soon learns that it is her husband, Big Daddy, who she must avoid at all costs. Lecherous and manipulative, Big Daddy is known for his womanizing ways, and it comes as no surprise that he has no problem dipping his pen in the company ink, as it were. And then Adunni learns of Rebecca, Big Madam’s last housemaid who disappeared under mysterious conditions. More desperate than ever to find a way out, Adunni begins to take English lessons in secret, hoping to secure a scholarship that will help her find her “louding voice.”

THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE is an absolute triumph of a novel. With a setting as attractive as Lagos and a plotline that weaves together numerous prescient issues, this book could stand on its own as a terrific novel, but what truly sets it apart is Adunni’s unforgettable and extraordinarily moving voice. Adunni narrates her own story, and though her English is better than most in her village, she speaks in her own sort of dialect, explaining, “I will go to school. I will finish my primary and secondary and university schooling and become teacher because I don’t just want to be having any kind voice…. I want a louding voice.”

Prose like this could easily be distracting, but Daré writes with such beautiful cadence and lyricism that readers will quickly get swept up in Adunni and her story. Though her grasp of English is not perfect, she is deeply intuitive and asks pertinent, wise questions, including ones about race, motherhood and privilege --- without even realizing the depth of her queries. More than just sweeping and poignant, Adunni’s voice is magnetic. When she is speaking, detailing the joys and horrors of her life, you feel as though you are listening to a friend. Adunni is kind, smart and uniquely herself --- even when it is dangerous to be a 14-year-old daughter, wife or housemaid.

Adunni’s focus on her predecessor, Rebecca, also highlights a sense of activism and duty that makes Adunni feel very present. Though she has nothing to gain by investigating Rebecca’s disappearance, she is conscious of the fact that while she has a “louding” voice and is not afraid to use it, there are plenty of girls who have lived through situations like hers --- and worse --- who were not granted the same opportunities to develop and use their voices. Daré infuses her protagonist with such a clear and vivid sense of what is right that she becomes a hero in her own right, speaking out for all the girls who came before her and those who will come after.

Bold, surprising and absolutely unforgettable, THE GIRL WITH THE LOUDING VOICE is a tremendous debut with a voice that yells far beyond its pages for Adunni, her supporting characters, and all the girls and women who will have the honor of reading it.

5 stars. *

5 gut-wrenching, devastated, tell-me-more stars.

The Girl with the Louding Voice tells the story of Adunni, a 14-year-old Nigerian girl whose father "sells" her to be the third wife of the taximan in her village. The story takes place in modern day, and if it does not give you pause and take your breath,...well...I don't even know. It is written in broken English, but is entirely understandable. As Adunni's circumstances and education change, so does the writing.

Adunni's mother promised her that she would get an education, but when she dies her father cannot keep that promise and in an effort to keep his home and put food on the table for his two sons, he sells her into a marriage contract. She is naive, and forced to grow up quickly to face her circumstances in the household with the two elder wives. When one of the other wives befalls a tragic end, Adunni takes the opportunity to flee, becoming a servant in the home of a wealthy Nigerian businesswoman in Lagos. While the location has changed, Adunni has traded the abuse of her husband and fellow wives for the abuse of her employer. A a party for the local ladies club, Adunni meets a kind neighbor woman of her employer who will change her life.

I cannot say enough about this story. It will stay with me.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

The Girl with the Louding Voice is amazing and powerful. Adunni is 14-years-old and has limited life opportunities because she is forced into marriage at such a tender age. She suffers sexual and physical abuse by the adult who married a child and this is culturally condoned. Adunni is strong, resilient and courageous and this book is an eye-opening glimpse into the patriarchal society of Nigeria. What's most frightening, however, is that this is set in modern day Nigeria - not in the distant past. This is a beautifully written, bold and absolutely brilliant read.

This book got a ton of buzz and for good reason. It's a heartwrenching story of a young girl's dogged pursuit of an education. Written in pidgin English, Daré immerses the reader in a culture that is so unusual for many Western readers and yet she does it deftly and brilliantly. At the heart of the book is young Adunni, who is a captivating heroine of her own life. Absolutely recommend.

A moving, inspirational story of a young Nigerian girl who must overcome terrible hardship and humiliation to try to get herself an education. Adunni is just fourteen when she is sold off by her widower father to be the third wife of a much older man. This sets the plot into action, as Adunni survives sexual assault, brutality, and the tragic death of a friend before she runs away...only to land in another perilous situation, now in a wealthy Lagos household.
Despite the tough subject matter, Adunni herself
is funny and courageous. The reader can not help but cheer her along as she refuses to give up on her dream of having a "Louding Voice" as an educated woman.

A young gal, barely a teenager, sold as a bride to an abusive polygamist. Ended up enslaved in another city. A story of strength, friendship, and hope in desperate times.

The best book I have read so far this year, I cannot say enough about this journey with Adduni. Set in Nigeria, Adduni had to leave school when her mother died to care for her brothers and father. When money becomes tight, Adduni is sold to an older man as his third wife. Adduni has always wanted to be a teacher, and her harrowing journey through forced marriage, then servitude, is all the more shocking upon realizing the story is set in the present day. Illuminating, dramatic and yet hopeful once Adduni meets Miss Tia, you must read this fabulous book.

A grear read about a girl who wants more out of life than what she was handed to her. It reminded of a quote from Randy Pausch, "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand". Adunni was a strong girl who wants to get an education that many girls take for granted. It also showed how one person can make a difference in another persons life.

Beautifully written! This is a great read. I love the voice that Abi Dare gave her narrator, and I think this is a great story to be shared!

Abi Daré's debut novel, "The Girl with the Louding Voice," tells the story of a teenage girl in Nigeria who symbolizes a number of societal challenges. Adunni experiences child marriage, domestic servitude, beatings, hunger and an education cut short, all before she turns 15. Still, she's unquestionably intelligent and determined to fight for opportunities at a better life. The book is written in a broken English of the author's invention as Adunni's first-person account of her life story. It's a powerful technique, mostly executed quite well.

This was absolutely perfect. This was everything a novel should be. A protagonist we're all rooting for, evil circumstances and the world working against her. Will she find her voice? This was slightly hard to catch dialogue wise at the beginning. However, I went with it and was quickly engrossed. I felt every emotion with her from hopelessness, fear, heartache and more. This is a beautiful story beautifully written.

I loved this book! This was beautiful. very strong and smart. easy to read as far as words go but the subject is difficult and meaningful.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare is an inspiring book about a Nigerian fourteen year old girl’s journey. It is a realistic novel where details of this courageous girl’s journey include all of the good, bad, and horrific events that define her life. Adunni’s mother has died and she is left alone with her papa and two brothers. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when her father sells her in marriage to an older gentleman who already had two wives. She is abused and eventually tries to assist one of his wives. When something tragic happens she is forced to run away. In her attempt at finding safety she is again “sold” and forced to join an abusive employer named Big Madam. Big Madam beats her regularly and Big Madam’s husband attempts to rape her! Although this may sound like a depressing novel I did not think that was the case. As the story progresses it becomes a story of courage, strength, determination, and kindness. There are also many chapters that begin with a fact about Nigeria. So in addition to reading a novel about a Nigerian girl you also learn facts about this country. I did find it difficult to read this book at the beginning due to the style in which it was written. The conversation is written in broken English . As my reading continued I found this to enhance the novel’s creativity and realism. I would highly recommend this novel. Thank you to Penguin Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I wasn’t moved by this book at all. I found it cliche and overly simple and easy. I’m curious why so many people seemed to love this one. I listened to the book and LOVED the reader. She gave these characters dimensions I couldn’t find while reading (before switching to audio). Certainly the silver lining.

Adunni is a poor Nigerian girl, who, due to circumstances beyond her control. is forced to flee her home in a small Nigerian village. She is trafficked to work as a house maid to a successful business-owner in Lagos, a large city in Nigeria. Adunni is a strong, intelligent young woman, who is determined to overcome her circumstances. She longs to be educated, not to be rich, but to help others. Adunni, at fourteen, lives through through the loss of her beloved mother, a forced marriage and a cruel employer. ,She suffers beatings, rape, starvation, but still keeps an upbeat attitude. Adunni is a beautiful soul. Her kind spirit also attracts people who want to help her. You will cheer for Adunni to get to speak with her louding voice. Abi Dare's writing is incredible -- descriptive and poetic. Her use of language is extraordinary. This is a book I'll recommend over and over.

Refreshing and Quite a Surprise!

Prepare to fall in love with Adunni - a 14 year-old Nigerian girl. She is the girl with a 'louding' voice. What is a louding voice, you may ask? A louding voice, according to Adunni's mother is "the ability to speak for [yourself] and decide [your] own future". The only way to achieve and obtain a louding voice is to receive an education and that is exactly what Adunni sets out to do.

As you may have noticed, if you read my other reviews, I talk a lot about what makes a "good book". Some of the things that I require in a "good book" are a page-turning plot. relatable characters, and plot development. This book had all three! Mainly, I enjoyed the characters. They were distinct and unique, especially our young Adunni. I have not met a character in a long time that I enjoyed more than Adunni. What a treat! I also love books that teach me without really "teaching" me. I love learning about other cultures and customs. I just LOVED this book. It most likely will be in my top books of 2020! Thank you Netgalley for exposing me to such rich reading material.

In the debut novel The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare̒, protagonist Adunni is a girl whom others speak for. A girl whose voiceless heart feels no incoming love. A girl whose dreams are far bigger than her meagre, work-filled life. This is Adunni, fourteen, motherless, and a commodity to her father who adheres to Nigerian tradition and marries off his daughter to an old man for goats, chickens, rice and a new TV. How can a girl child such as her know that the world holds treasures, as yet, beyond her reach? How can she know that her voice of broken English and silenced opinions will one day create a triumphant “louding voice” that will resound for herself and other girls? Deep within Adunni’s soul, she knows her worth, even at such a young age with deeply etched trails of sorrow and fear already within her. Adunni’s journey is heartbreaking, mysterious, terrifying, and unbelievably hopeful.
Abi Dare̒ has created a literary masterpiece and a character who is still residing within me. I want to be a part of Adunni’s educational journey, to behold her future, to view, alongside her, her vistas of self-discovery. I long to hear more of her “louding voice!”
With sincere thanks to the publisher The Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this novel, which I hope will win numerous prizes! Dare̒ is already the recipient of the Bath Novel Award 2018 for emerging writers.
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This is a interesting novel, written in a very different tone using broken English, to tell the story of a young girl sold by her father to be a third wife to an old man. Her dream of school was taken away from her when her mother died and she soon realizes she is nothing more than a slave to the men that rule her life.

This is a strong story of her working to overcome her boundaries and use her Louding Voice to create a future of her choosing for herself.

Incredible. Persistence, resilience. Adunni is amazing. And everyone needs a Ms. Tia in her life. Abi Dare' dual nation perspective really brings these characters to life. Her writing transports you straight into the story and is a treat to read.