Book: We Need New Names

"We Need New Names" by NoViolet Bulawayo is a powerful coming-of-age novel that follows the life of ten-year-old Darling, a spirited girl living in a shantytown called Paradise in Zimbabwe. Through Darling's keen and perceptive eyes, the novel vividly captures the stark contrasts of life in a country beset by political and social upheaval. Darling and her friends fill their days with mischief and adventure, dreaming of escape from their harsh realities.

As circumstances force Darling to leave Zimbabwe for America, the narrative explores the complexities of immigrant identity and the yearning for home. Bulawayo deftly navigates the tension between the dreams of a new life and the painful longing for what has been left behind. Through rich, lyrical prose and an unflinching gaze, the novel provides an intimate portrayal of resilience and the search for a place to belong. With its blend of humor and heartbreak, "We Need New Names" offers a poignant reflection on the dislocation and transformation experienced by those caught between worlds.