There’s certainly a reason why feminist influencer and self-proclaimed “Baba Yaga to men online” Drew Afualo’s debut book, Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve, has already made it to the New York Times Best Sellers list. Not only is Loud a biting takedown of the patriarchy and misogynistic men, it also serves as a beautiful love letter to Afualo’s Samoan culture, her family, and her strong relationships with other women.
In her writing, Afualo makes feminist theory accessible. Throughout Loud, Afualo does an incredible job of explaining how heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, and transphobia are all intertwined while also not oversimplifying anything for her audience, because she knows she doesn’t have to.
Fans of Afualo’s quick wit also won’t be disappointed by Loud, as the book expands on the aspects of the creator’s TikToks that we as an audience have fallen in love with. The book, just like Afualo, is smart, sharp, and hilarious. Perhaps most importantly, Afualo is able to perfectly articulate the quiet rage women often feel at the hands of the patriarchy. Luckily for us, Afualo’s rage is not quiet. So many women are raised in a culture that tells us to “always take the high road,” but Afualo tells us that in the face of misogyny, it’s okay if you wanna yell back.
Above all, Loud is a book that is filled with hope. Afualo reassures her audience that we can build lives for ourselves where we can experience love, joy, and ambition without centering men. I have no reservations in stating that I believe Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve is one of the most important books to have come out in this decade, and it is a must-read for 2024.
Image Via Macmillan Publishers
