Abi Daré’s debut novel, The Girl with the Louding Voice, is one of the most captivatingly narrated stories I have ever read. Thank you, Abi, for bringing the character of Adunni to life — this vivid, whip-smart, ambitious Nigerian girl who longs to be educated despite all odds, so that she can possess a “louding voice.” This is a brutal and beautifully rendered coming-of-age story, and a record of the unimaginably cruel straits that so many girls and young women around the world must still confront. In the face of exploitation and suffering, Adunni struggles toward self-determination with a will that is nothing short of heroic.

I loved this conversation, ranging from the spirituality, mysticism, and mechanics of writing to cultural roots to social change and choices. And I can’t wait to read more from Abi. Both she and her Adunni are unforgettable.

Find a book club kit for The Girl with the Louding Voice here.