And So I Roar

The wait is over for fans of Daré’s who want to know what’s next for Adunni, the protagonist of her debut novel, The Girl with the Louding Voice. Her latest outstanding offering, which can be read as a stand-alone, opens with 14-year-old Adunni, who’s excited about being only one day away from finally starting school. But the next day brings a slew of high-stakes conflicts that not only dim her chances of obtaining the education she’s always wanted but also threaten her life. Adunni lives with Tia, a married woman who is also at risk of significant loss, thanks to secrets—both her own and her dying mother’s. Daré expertly tells Adunni’s and Tia’s stories by alternating chapters from each character’s point of view. Set in rural Nigeria and bigger places there, her book illuminates traditional rituals that often lead to harmful outcomes for girls and women. She also breaks the typical prose structure by incorporating letters, distinctively presenting words of wisdom at the bottom of some of the pages, and even transcribing a talk show, all of which enhance the reading experience.