NoViolet Bulawayo’s debut novel is a bittersweet portrayal of life in a ramshackle Zimbabwean shantytown called Paradise.

The story of Darling and her friends Stina, Chipo, Godknows, Sbho and Bastard. They all used to have proper houses, with real rooms and furniture, but now they all live in a shanty called Paradise. They spend their days stealing guavas, playing games and wondering how to get the baby out of young Chipo’s stomach. They dream of escaping to other paradises - America, Dubai, Europe. But if they do escape, will these new lands bring everything they wish for?

Shortlisted
The Man Booker Prize 2013
Published by
Chatto & Windus
Publication date
NoViolet Bulawayo

NoViolet Bulawayo

About the Author

NoViolet Bulawayo's debut novel, We Need New Names, was shortlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize. Her second novel, Glory, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2022.
More about NoViolet Bulawayo

Other nominated books by NoViolet Bulawayo

Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo