This celebrated novel explores childhood and exile in an
intriguing manner. The author, Zimbabwean "NoViolet Bulawayo", upon
publication of this work, became the first black African woman to be
shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.
Six 10 year-olds originally based in Zimbabwe - Darling,
Sbho, Stina, Godknows, Bastard and Chipo – are disenchanted in their home
country, and dream of escaping one day.
Darling manages to travel to America (Michigan) but
ultimately finds out that the grass is not necessarily greener elsewhere. She becomes
an "illegal alien" and can not even visit her native country. This
novel creatively and linguistically explores the ramifications of "exile".
R Mokoena
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