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The Girl with the Louding Voice

The Bestselling Word of Mouth Hit That Will Win Over Your Heart

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The Girl with the Louding Voice

By: Abi Daré
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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Summary

 Mama say: "Your schooling is your voice, child.
It will be speaking for you even if you didn't open your mouth to talk.
It will be speaking till the day God is calling you come."
That day, I tell myself that even if I am not getting anything in this life,
I will go to school and become Teacher.
Because I don't just want to be having any kind voice . . .
I want a louding voice.

14-year-old Adunni has a dream: to be educated. But her father needs her bride-price, so sells his daughter to an older man, who demands she give him the fine boy-children his first two wives have failed to produce.

When things go tragically wrong, Adunni flees to Lagos. It's what she has always wanted, to leave Ikati and see the world, and though her heart is full of sorrow for her lost family and the shame she has left behind, still Adunni will not be quiet and do as she's told.

Sold again as a housemaid to a successful businesswoman, she continues to question all she sees: why Big Madam, in her big house, has a cage of sadness round her soul; what happened to Rebecca, the girl who worked in her place before; and whether it is possible, when you are born into a life of no money and plenty suffering, to become a somebody of value.

(P) 2020 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2020 ADLC Limited Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Poverty & Homelessness Social Sciences Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

A brave, fresh voice . . . Daré draws the reader in with a vivid character whose dire circumstances are contrasted with her natural creativity . . . Unforgettable
An impressive debut novel
Abi Daré is a writer who not only knows how to create a powerful sensory impression, but also one who can really work the rhythm, texture and music of language. The words jump off the page . . . The Girl with the Louding Voice never feels like standard fare. It's lifted not only by the verve of its prose, but also its touching explorations of friendship and solidarity. It has an emotional connection that remains strong even in the final pages (Sam Jordison)
Adunni's humour and fierce determination to change her destiny shine through this remarkable book
This is a gorgeous, hopeful novel with a happy ending. Every time I pick it up, I'm filled with gratitude for the things I take for granted. I'm also excited by the fact that change is possible. We have so much more power than we know and we can use it to help girls and women like Adunni (Books to turn to when you feel anxious)
Narrated by Adunni herself in a brilliantly sustained broken English, this ultimately uplifting debut novel shines a penetrating light on the barbaric practices of child labour and child marriage
This is a compelling, captivating and unforgettable debut
Daré's characters leap off the page, powering this funny, luminous and heart-swelling tale
A vibrant, tender, beautiful novel (Elizabeth Day, author of FRIENDAHOLIC)
Abi Daré makes a sparkling literary debut . . . and marks the appearance of a strong and stylish new talent
Incredible . . . packs an emotional punch (Eithne Farry)
Adunni's humour and fierce determination to change her destiny shine through this remarkable debut novel
Compelling and captivating . . . an unforgettable novel and, in Adunni, the author has created a truly unforgettable voice
Gives an eloquent voice to the victims of modern slavery
A stunning novel - original, beautiful and powerful. I was utterly captivated by Adunni and her mesmerising louding voice (Rosamund Lupton, author of SISTER and THREE HOURS)
A powerful debut novel . . . Compelling . . . Readers will fall in love with Adunni . . . The writing is addictive and deeply evocative. A beautiful debut from a talented author
The story told in this novel is an important one . . . The Girl with the Louding Voice joins a long and fine tradition of issue-led novels that have sparked conversations resulting in social change
Despite the heartbreaking subject matter, this is a story of hope . . . a compelling read
A bravely determined heroine
A story of courage that will win over your heart
Abi Daré's book is compulsive reading
A true original, this will open your eyes
All stars
Most relevant
Disclaimer, I have met the author. Having said that, it is a wonderful book. Being a man, I take umbrage at this book being in my humble opinion biased towards women. As every man in this book is flawed bordering on evil, with the exception of one. Being a Nigerian, I am aggrieved by the fact the only decent non-exploitative Nigerian is UK educated and influenced. The attitudes of our once colonial masters give the impression they continue to be our social betters.
My grievances aside the story is told with heart warming simplicity from the illiterate Adunni’s standpoint. The tale is at once harrowing,disheartening in places and uplifting in most, a veritable emotional kaleidoscope, which is just unexpectedly thrilling. You find yourself rooting for Adunni’s indomitable spirit and in so doing your heart and mind are opened to her cry not just for herself but for others like her to be human, to express their self-worth, to have their Louding voices heard and for there to be a different approach to their treatment. Adunni’s voice from the pages resonates clear and loud.

Uplifting Story

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Great story - I was rooting for Adunni through out. She has to be one of my favourite protagonists. The narration was interesting - the narrator had a way of capturing the essence of the story definitely. However, the narrator's pronunciations of Yoruba and Nigerian words really threw me off. Each mispronunciation (and there were quite a few) affected my overall appreciation for the narration.

Great story, narration not so there

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Loved the reader of this book. How one young girl rising above adversity. Inspiring.

Great audio

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I don't normally write reviews, but I fell completely in love with this captivating story. The use of language is enchanting and the narration is exemplary. It adds such richness and depth to this beautiful book. Hands down my favourite audio book ever.

BEST AUDIO BOOK EVER!

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What a wonderful performance by the narrator of this beautiful book, I didn’t want it to end. Such a sad story that brought home to me how privileged I am. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Amazing!

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