Crossing

NoViolet Bulawayo's novel "We Need New Names" is a powerful story of two boys fleeing their homeland, Albania, in search of a better life. It explores themes of identity, gender, and social personae, and the search for acceptance and love.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 05 March 2020
\n Publisher: Pushkin Press
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NoViolet Bulawayo's novel "We Need New Names" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the lives of two young boys, Bujar and Agim, as they navigate the treacherous waters of exile and displacement. Set against the backdrop of a collapsing Albania, plagued by hunger and unrest, Bujar and Agim are forced to flee their homeland in search of a better life.

The novel begins with Bujar's father, a respected doctor, succumbing to a terminal illness. As his father's health deteriorates, Bujar becomes increasingly despondent and withdrawn. He feels trapped in a country that is rapidly falling apart, and he longs for a way out.

One day, Bujar's friend Agim is discovered wearing his mother's red dress and beaten with his father's belt. Agim is a fearless and outspoken young man who has always been a source of inspiration for Bujar. He is also a transgender man, which is a source of great shame and embarrassment for his family.

Agim's beating is a turning point for Bujar. He realizes that there is no place for them in their country, and he is determined to escape with Agim. They flee to Tirana, the capital of Albania, where they hope to find a new life.

However, their journey is not easy. They face numerous challenges, including discrimination and prejudice from their fellow Albanians, as well as the dangers of crossing borders and being caught by the authorities.

As they travel through cities, borders, and identities, Bujar and Agim begin to question their own identities and their place in the world. They explore shifting gender and social personae, seeking permission to leave their pasts behind and find acceptance and love.

The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the places that Bujar and Agim visit, from the bazaars of Tirana to the monuments of Rome and the drag bars of New York. Bulawayo's writing is masterful, and she brings the characters to life with her powerful prose.

Through their journey, Bujar and Agim learn to accept themselves and each other, and they find a sense of belonging that they had never experienced before. They also learn to confront their pasts and the pain that they have carried with them for so long.

"We Need New Names" is a powerful and important novel that sheds light on the experiences of refugees and displaced people around the world. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and it reminds us of the importance of compassion and understanding in a world that is often divided and hostile.

In conclusion, "We Need New Names" is a must-read for anyone who is interested in exploring the complexities of human identity and the challenges of displacement. NoViolet Bulawayo's powerful and poignant writing brings the characters to life, and her exploration of gender and social personae is thought-provoking and relevant. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

\n Weight: 226g\n
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781782275121\n \n