In 'We Need New Names,' Darling's childhood seems a paradox of beauty and brutality, unfolding in a Zimbabwean shantytown named Paradise. Despite the harrowing backdrop of political upheaval and economic collapse, Darling and her friends find solace in games, adventures, and the intoxicating taste of stolen guavas. Hope flutters—Darling has relatives in America, and with it, the promise of escape to a land of abundance. But the American Dream unravels quickly as she confronts the stark realities of immigrant life. Straddled between two starkly different worlds, Darling's tale is a poignant exploration of loss, identity, and the intricate tapestry of human connections.