Book Club Discussion for The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Writing a review on behalf of Member - Green: 

"

I found the book and easy read. However, the topic/story was very thought provoking and hard hitting. I think that due to being busy at work I was likely not in the right head space to read it. I have put it in my pile of to be re-read at a later date. I think in the UK we often forget the privilege of our social structure (aware that there is still room for improvement)."

Started this book a little late. I am enjoying the book so far. Writing style takes a bit of getting used to. I am interested to see what others think. Due to finish work at 8pm. Hope to catch the second half of book club. 

Hi all, I’m afraid I’m working this evening so won’t be able to make the meeting but wow - what a book! I hadn’t heard of this book before so I’m so thankful to book club for introducing it to me. I was 100% invested in Adunni the whole way through and found the character very authentic - I think the language helped with this authentic voice too. 9 out of 10 swim! ‍♀️

Good evening, 

I can't make tonight unfortunately, but I am also only about half way through and I don't want to hear any spoilers! 

So far, I am really enjoying the book. It is unlike anything I usually read but I was hooked from the 1st few pages. The story is thick with emotion and wonderfully descriptive. 

I will update my review when I finish (hopefully by Wedsnesday- both kids in school so I can sit down and binge read!!!)

Another comment form a member, who is having issues with the RN Forum and re-validating themselves as they are unable to attend tonight's meeting. There review (King): 

"But I just wanted to say thank you, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the style of writing and it helped me really hear Adunni's voice. There were lots of themes to reflect on. 

I thought the theme of all the women ultimately being victims was interesting and that Adunni has been given a lifeline (for now.... I suspect!)

I wonder if the mum's friend had an inner turmoil when arranging to get her trafficked - staying in the same place was not an option, trafficking her gave a glimmer of hope she might escape - what a horrible dilemma to have though.

I expect I will be missing an interesting discussion"

Good evening, I may struggle to attend the meeting tonight as the witching hour with my 4 year old is something else! 

I haven't managed to finish the book yet, but wow, what a story so far. It is really pulling my emotions!! So powerful, makes me eternally grateful for the life I'm lucky to have. It is a little difficult to get into at first due to the writing style, but once you get used to it it's not so bad. I'm eager to reach the end!

Thank you for another interesting read.

Charlotte Foster

I can’t make it tonight if you know the Forces Transition Group (FTG) you will know we have our Live Event tomorrow and do a B2B tonight so I’m not home. I look forward to the next one I have made sure I am available to join.

a book I would never of picked up myself. It was incredible. I would never think I would have enjoyed a book like this. I don’t have time for a full review as I’ve left this last minute but I really enjoyed it! 

I look for the next one ! 

Thank you to everyone who came along to our book club meeting last evening. 

This book was "enjoyed" by everyone even though it was a harrowing read, it was a very powerful one and once we got into the way the story was written I believe the majority of us were gripped by Adunni's story, and quite a few of us have already purchased/downloaded the next book to find out how Adunni's story continues.

The Anchor score was 8.61 out of 10 - which means that you would recommend to a friend/family member and it went for a very strong SWIM - no one sank it - I think this is a first!

I totally forgot about the meet on Monday- got in late and made dinner and then suddenly realised at about 10pm! I had this book as an audible this month for the first time as I'm struggling with my eyes - and was sort of glad I did as I think the narrator's accent really added to the feeling of this book (and others had said that the very different style of writing took a bit of getting used to). I feel very sure that, whatever format people had this in, most would have found it to be a very powerful read.

My first thoughts were that I doubt that many 'First World' 14yr olds could have shown the strength, resilience, bravery, independence, compassion and general life skills that Adunni demonstrated throughout this story! Our children have relatively privileged lives and are protected from much of life's dark underbelly and would probably never face one of the situations Adunni faced...let alone all of them! The book highlighted many awful things that are still happening in countries like Nigeria today but also showed that the human spirit and hope is a powerful thing. It was a bit of a 'David and Goliath' sort of scenario with the underdog being triumphant...but it didn't glamorise it in any way - it was raw, it was a hard read in parts and a stark reminder of the fact that life is effectively a lottery of geography and luck....and not everyone is lucky!

I have always tried to instil in my kids how lucky they are to have their right to an education and to be grateful for it as not all children get that and have to go to extreme lengths just to access even the most basic schooling....especially girls - it's something many children take for granted and regularly resent these days. Adunni's grit and determination to secure herself an education at whatever cost to herself was humbling - and to have had that awareness at such a young age - I felt like her mum had taught her some amazing life lessons before she died and wonder what Adunni might have achieved if her mum had still been alive.

Adunni's self awareness of the world and the people around her was also humbling - to have been treated so badly by so many people in her life yet to still see some good in them and show concern and compassion even in adversity. She had an ability to get through the exterior to people's insides and find chinks of goodness even in the most horrid people (apart from Big Daddy....he was just awful full stop!) With such an amazing outlook on life and her place in it - I feel sure that Adunni will go on to achieve wonderful things and now I need to find this second book that has been mentioned.

There's so much more that can be said about this book but I won't go on. What a brilliant piece of writing - a solid 9/10 FLOAT for me and am off to find part 2

Hello, my apologies, I couldn't join last Monday as I had a family event. As I lost my book while travelling to France, I managed to find a French copy, which made it easier for me to read, as I am a native French speaker. I was really impressed by the translation work and how it was adapted to French specificities and dialect. I really enjoyed the book and was captivated by the story (loved the short chapter, which I thought gave a fast-paced energy to the book). I loved how it was written, as it really helps the reader to see everything from Adunni's perspective.