Author: NoViolet Bulawayo
Length: 292 pages
Year Written: 2013
Why I chose this book: This book was actually on display at the library, and after reading a few pages I decided I'd buy it from Amazon.
We Need New Names is the story of a young girl named Darling who is from Zimbabwe, but moves to Detroit to live with her aunt, leaving behind a colorful cast of friends named Bastard, Chipo, Sbho, Stina, and Godknows. The first half of the book follows Darling's life in Zimbabwe, where she spends much of her time ransacking guava trees with her hungry, feisty friends. Though pre-teens, these kids are sharp-witted (though often imprecise) and face an environment of poverty, violence and racial conflict with a flippancy that could come only from children. Darling brags about what she will have in America, only to move to Detroit with her aunt Fostalina and realize that not all Americans live in luxury.
The second half of the book is dedicated to Darling's acclimation to the United States as it parallels with her formative teenage and young adult years. There is a noticeable rift between her and the friends she left behind, and she grapples with her new surroundings and just where she considers "home" to be.
We Need New Names is riveting, and at many times heartbreaking. One of the saddest and most memorable scenes of the book is one that is responsible for its title—it involves a bunch of clueless children attempting to address the issue of 11-year-old Chipo's pregnancy, since her condition hindered their game-playing. It was an extremely unnerving chapter to read. Overall, the book is craftily written, weaving together different cultures and opinions and stereotypes to create a story that feels very honest. Darling's story is the story of many just like her, and reflect even broader themes of cultural identity and negotiation. This is a really great first novel from Bulawayo and I am excited to see more from her.
Rating: 9.6/10
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