Book Review
The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Plot: This novel is set in Nigeria and narrated from the perspective of a 14 year old girl called Adunni. She is from a poor family and because of that she is forced by her father to marry Morufu - an old man taxi driver - to pay for the house rent which is part of her owo-ori (bride price). Adunni is an ambitious and intelligent girl whose dream is to study and become a teacher so upon hearing she has to become a third wife to an old man she is devastated as she won't be able to pursue her education and further career goals. The novel documents how Adunni faces her reality of growing up as a girl who doesn't have as much say in her community as boys and men and her aspiration to have a louding voice.
My thoughts: The story is narrated in broken English which I felt made the story more personal, as if Adunni is directly speaking to you. Unfortunately, Adunni stopped education at primary school so it explains why her English isn’t so good. The novel really draws you in through all the tribulations Adunni faces in her life in such a short space of time. Many of the events that take place in the novel are upsetting but Adunni experiences them with bravery and courage and I was rooting for her to escape her traumatic reality and find peace in her life. Along with Adunni’s horrific experiences there are terrible characters who cause these acts of violence and horror in her life. However, these characters are thankfully countered with people of love and compassion who guide and help Adunni to achieve her dreams.
Overall, I would say this is a feminist novel. Feminism is ‘the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.’ Reading the novel makes you question why isn't it commonplace for girls to be educated - are ignorant people easier to control? In Adunni’s village it seems like the only way for girls to get anywhere in life is through marriage. Morufu shares this sentiment when he says, “Girls are only good for marriage, cooking food and bedroom work.” (Really?) Often the way women were spoken about and treated in the novel was reminiscent of a bygone era, not a novel set in the 21st century. Throughout the novel women and girls are disrespected but the women who have faced adversity in their lives are ironically more capable of holding it together and working hard while their male counterparts falter into alcoholism. Women are more than capable and deserve to have a voice. Society will be better for it.
Although, a difficult read, The Girl With the Louding voice is a well written novel with a sustained theme - women and girls need a voice to be heard. Dhare has expertly written a novel with a heavy subject matter interspersed with humour and a unique narrative voice that flows well.
Happy reading!