[1] It tells the story of a teenage Nigerian girl called Adunni who becomes a maid and struggles with many things growing up, including her limited education, poverty and her inability to speak up for herself.

Abi Dare stated that she first had the idea for the novel when she read a news article about a 13 year house help who had hot water poured on her by her Madam.

When things start getting sour, her father, Papa marries her off, against her wishes, to Morufu as his third wife in order to use her bride price for the family's upkeep.

Later, she runs to Lagos where she is employed by Big Madam who exploits and enslaves her and abuses her many times, but Adunni is determined to face all these problems when she makes up her mind that education is the only way to be free from her oppressions.

[7] It was a New York Times Bestseller, a February 2020 'Read with Jenna' choice[8][9] and a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime pick.