Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

5 reviews

katy_bee's review against another edition

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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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, and War

dianakamau's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective tense 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Excrement, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief

Minor: Abortion and Abandonment

marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Alcoholism, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Colonisation

Minor: Bullying, Child death, Suicide, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Abandonment

ollie_again's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Religious bigotry, Abortion, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Rape, Vomit, Police brutality, and Pregnancy

Minor: Eating disorder, Pedophilia, and Suicide attempt

amanda_marie's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and War

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Colonisation