Storyhouse book group selection, November 2022

(16/11/22)*Includes spoilers*

Another book group choice set in Nigeria (Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, which coincidentally was referred-to by Dare), with similarities and some important differences. They are both deeply rooted in traditional rural societies undergoing radical changes, albeit separated by more than hundred years, firstly adapting to colonial rule and Christian missionaries, and then dragging itself out of a moral malaise. It does beg the question, when is tradition and culture wrong and who decides the terms of the required changes, especially in the growing pains of post-colonial countries?

The heroine in ‘Louding’ is a 14 year old girl, Adunni, who is living with her brothers and feckless father (like Achebe?), trying to keep the family together after her mother’s death. She dreams of getting back to school and becoming a teacher, and using her ‘educations’ to help her village and other girls. The idea of betterment and escape is a consistent theme, as is cruelty, abuse, intolerance, and prejudice in Nigerian society … I’m not sure the positive outcome for Adunni quite erases the bleak back-story and failings of a society where girls are so undervalued and abusive control is endemic. The book cleverly, although slightly disconcertingly, shifts from old world to new world vices; firstly Adunni being sold into an arranged marriage - to pay the rent - and then being trafficked to work as an unpaid slave in a rich Lagos enclave. Dare shows an evenhandedness with both men and women as the abusers and abused in both worlds, but it takes a Gambian Chef and a British-Nigerian woman to enable her escape, and we assume to find her voice, but without fully addressing the underlying problems. I don’t know if this is deliberate, maybe the author believes that a wider global audience will help to power social change in her home country? So Adunni’s ‘louding voice’, her desire to be heard and respected as an individual becomes a battle cry for the nation. The lead character is naive, sympathetic, kind-hearted, determined, and resilient. She never gives in to victim-hood or despair but remains strong and brave in her desire for a better life.

I couldn't get to the book group meeting, but I would probably start at 7/10, but would be willing to persuaded higher!

I'm taking this to the 'new' Chester Market ... to leave in a quiet(!) spot. If you find this, welcome to book crossing.