Teaser Tuesdays: We Need New Names

So far in, I love this book. Want a reason why? Read this beautifully written paragraph about a group of children consoling a man suffering from AIDS. It’s written simply like how a child would say it, but also so beautifully. I have bolded the names of the children in this excerpt.

68.Noviolet-Bulawayo-We-Need-New-Names

Stina reaches and takes Father’s hand and start moving it to the song, and Bastard moves the other hand. I reach out and touch him too because I have never really touched him ever since he came and this is what I must do now because how will it look when everybody is touching him and I am not?

We all look at one another and smile-sing because we are touching him, just touching him all over like he is a beautiful plaything we have just rescued from the trash. He feels like dry wood in my hands, but there is a strange light in his sunken eyes, like he has swallowed the sun.

~ We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:teasertuesdays31

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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12 Comments

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  1. says: Shweta

    It’s such a powerful book! I loved it and the narration just breaks your heart while being so positive. Can’t wait to read your review

    1. says: Nishita

      @disqus_W3bZsBdKXf:disqus you’ve read this? I need to go read your review now! Like you, I really like the overall positivity of the book. I’ve yet to reach the America bits, I heard the book slows down a bit then, but I like what I’ve read so far.

    1. says: Nishita

      @disqus_mUBrEiIQ5D:disqus actually it’s not. It’s harsh in places, but overall positive and realistic at the same time.

  2. says: Tienh

    I have this to read too! It sounds sad… is it really sad? It probably is since it’s such a serious topic!
    Thanks for dropping by my post 🙂

    1. says: Nishita

      @disqus_jotNjiSB7s:disqus I wouldn’t say it’s sad. So far in, it’s not heartbreaking or anything like that. I also peeked at the end and there didn’t seem anything too drastic.

      I think some of the things that the kids witness and know about at such a young age – that is shocking.

    1. says: Nishita

      @didib:disqus Oh, do. I always love to read snippets from books other people are reading.

  3. says: Five-Eyed Bookworm

    I really want to read this soon! Isn’t it wonderful that children can say the most innocent and beautiful things?

    1. says: Nishita

      @fiveeyedbookworm:disqus oh, yes. I am really enjoying Darling’s voice in this book. It’s hard to get child protagonists sounding right, but when they do, it’s awesome.