905 reviews for:

We Need New Names

NoViolet Bulawayo

3.73 AVERAGE

1q84mangostreet's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

egsreads's review against another edition

4.5

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

roz_taylor's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

katy_bee's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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A really beautifully written book with some very dark themes. The early section was the most compelling for me. I thought the child's perspective on a confusing adult political situation was really well done. The latter half felt disappointed and lost- very intentionally as it mirrored the characters experience

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War

enomis13's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

mmz's review against another edition

4.0

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

paulanisk's review against another edition

4.5

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

mpetc618's review against another edition

3.0

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I applaud this debut novel for the raw, candid journal-type account of this coming of age and coming to America experience. The current news inserts gave the reader a reminder as to how fleeting time is and the constant struggles for Darling to not "lose" her internal homeland, yet acclimate to life in America.

Highly recommended.

africansupremacist's review against another edition

4.0

funny informative reflective fast-paced

ruthie_wk's review against another edition

2.25

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The first part was funny, engaging, and interesting. 

Once she got to America, it turned disjointed and more of summarized commentary. 

Thankfully it was a quick read.