But Darling has a chance to escape: she has an aunt in America. She travels to this new land in search of America’s famous abundance only to find that her options as an immigrant are perilously few.
My Thoughts:
What an amazing debut. I’ve listed this as my favorite fiction for March and I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be one of my favorites for all of 2013.
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| About the author |
Darling and her friends are both innocent and jaded, as only children in a war-torn country can be. They are cheerful while stealing guavas to fill their empty bellies, even while knowing that those same fruits will only make them sick. The very young Chipo is pregnant. In their childishness, her friends believe that they can get the baby out so that she can run and play with them once more.
Darling is able to immigrate to America, to “Destroyedmichygan”. Her guilt at leaving her friends and family behind is palpable. Unfortunately, life in America isn’t exactly what she had hoped for.
We Need New Names is rich, honest, and stirring. Bulawayo is an author to watch.
The Relentless Reader 