We Need New Names
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | NoViolet Bulawayo |
| Products | Coming-of-age novel |
We Need New Names marks the 2013 literary debut of Zimbabwean expatriate author NoViolet Bulawayo. This coming-of-age novel centers on Darling, a young girl experiencing life first in Zimbabwe during turbulent times, and later as a teenager in the American Midwest, where she joins her aunt in pursuit of improved prospects.
The novel's opening section, "Hitting Budapest," initially appeared in the Boston Review and earned the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing. The prize’s Chair of Judges, Hisham Matar, commended its evocative language and artistic merit.
We Need New Names was shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize and the Guardian First Book Award, as well as being a finalist for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award. It secured the first-ever Etisalat Prize for Literature (2013), alongside the distinguished PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction (2013).
Plot
The story follows a group of primarily pre-adolescent children—Darling, along with friends Sbho, Stina, Chipo, Bastard, and Godknows—residing in makeshift tin shacks after their homes are demolished by paramilitary forces loyal to Mugabe. The narrative offers a "child's perspective on a world where elections and democracy are discussed, yet chaos and decay dominate daily life," set in a shantytown ironically named Paradise. Here, families are torn apart by death, illness, and violence. The children spend their time pilfering guavas from the affluent "Budapest" district, crafting imaginative escapades, and dreaming of luxurious lives abroad in destinations like Dubai and America.
Upon relocating to live with her aunt in Detroit, Michigan, Darling faces new obstacles typical for African immigrants: confronting stereotypes about Zimbabwe, adjusting to unfamiliar cultural norms, and dealing with the looming risk of deportation that many undocumented immigrants encounter in the United States.
Reviews
"Bulawayo’s depiction of Zimbabwe stands out not through descriptions of Paradise or Budapest but through Darling’s inner world. ... Bulawayo demonstrates clear literary talent. She vividly portrays the unease experienced by newcomers to America and how reinventing oneself is challenged by memories of home." — Uzodinma Iweala, The New York Times
"How can an author narrate a traumatized nation’s story without descending into despair? NoViolet Bulawayo succeeds by crafting characters so engaging that readers become captivated by their mischief while gaining insight into the country’s struggles. ... This debut is both poignant and heartfelt, radiating warmth and wit." — Leyla Sanai, The Independent on Sunday
"What prevents this work from buckling under its heavy themes is its linguistic vitality and the impression of an adept writer who may surprise readers with unexpected developments or thematic complexity. Here, suffering acts as a catalyst for spiritual and psychological evolution." — Helon Habila, The Guardian
"Infused with dynamic energy that pulses with life, Bulawayo’s first novel deserves attention from anyone interested in emerging global literary voices. At times joyous, humorous, somber, fierce, and resolute, narrator Darling offers sharp insights into human nature." — Jim Hannan, World Literature Today
Perhaps most compelling is the intimate early portrayal of Darling’s group—their quick-witted exchanges and resilient spirit amid hardship render them uniquely memorable characters." — Margaret Busby, The Independent
Additional resources
External links
- Michiko Kakutani, "A Child of Two Worlds", The New York Times, 15 May 2013.
- Ellah Allfrey, "Growing Up During Turmoil in 'We Need New Names'", NPR Books, 30 May 2013.