We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo

An excellent book about a group of young Zimbabweans who grow up in a small shanty town, playing together as the political climate changes around them. The main character, Darling, then moves to Detroit to live with her aunt and struggles to fit in with the overwhelmingly different culture. This is particularly interesting to read alongside Americanah which is about a very similar subject, but which reads in a much denser less accessible way. The writing in this book, though simple, is really enjoyable with lots of very clever wordplays. Darling's character is easy to like and this makes the novel much more accessible than Americanah. Definitely my favourite on the Booker Longlist so far.