Relationships

Relationships between friends and between family members drive the story in We Need New Names. Darling and Chipo seem to struggle with their friendship because Chipo remains in Paradise raising her daughter while Darling lives in America as a normal American teenager. Chipo and Darling are living different lives. Even though they are best friends, they don’t confide their secrets or fears to each other. Their lack of sharing makes their friendship seem superficial friendship.

The novel also touches upon family relationships. Just as every family has trials and tribulations, Darling’s family has its own family dynamics. In the end, they are a family and they will get through it together, one way or the other.

By the end of the novel, it also becomes about the family of those that have come together in life. While the different characters in the novel may...