Reviews tagging 'Violence'

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

10 reviews

katy_bee's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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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hotkoolaidpotato's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0


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marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition

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challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

This is quite a provocative book.  It is narrated by Darling, who, throughout most of the book, is a tween living in a Zimbabwe slum in the 2000s, having been displaced from her modest home by paramilitary violence.  She and her friends process their reality through play and antics, which include the game “Find bin Laden,” a reenactment of a community member’s murder, and a near-attempt at a coat hanger abortion.  When Darling moves in with her aunt in America, she discovers that many cultural differences cannot be translated and yearns for her beloved homeland, to which she cannot return, lest she be trapped.

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ollie_again's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

4.0


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amanda_marie's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The premise may seem sad, may indeed be a little sad, but it is also about joy. Witty, unfiltered, joy. It is not about pity, but perspective. 

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lace_daisies_and_mary_oliver's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25


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darby15's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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tagrace's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Definitely an interesting read. I liked the lyrical descriptions and the really distributive voice of the writing. And at its best, the book grappled with complex ideas about home, immigration and living in a place best known for its problems. It was refreshing to see a more nuanced but not sanitized depiction of Zimbabwe. That being said, I also struggled sometimes with the book because it's not really plot driven and there's not really a definitive or clear character arc, so it lacked some traditional hooks for me as a reader. 

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literaryliaisons's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5


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mibramowitz's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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