NoViolet Bulawayo

Zimbabwean writer and educator · Zimbabwe · On the map · Writers · Born 1981 · age 45

NoViolet Bulawayo is the pen name of Elizabeth Zandile Tshele, a Zimbabwean author. In 2012, the National Book Foundation named her a "5 Under 35" honoree. She was named one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2014.

NoViolet Bulawayo is read about 28 times a day, in 25 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 11 November 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 115 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2025Caine PrizeAward2014Hemingway Foundation/PEN AwardAward2013“I am starting to talk fast now, and I have to remember to slow down because when I get excited, I start to sound like myself and my American accent goes away.”In their wordsWe Need New Names (2013)Read the whole statement

“The problem with English is this: You usually can't open your mouth and it comes out just like that--first you have to think what you want to say. Then you have to find the words.”In their wordsFrom her book we need new names.Read the whole statement

“Further and further we go, and the sun keeps ironing us and ironing us and ironing us.”In their wordsWe Need New Names (2013)Read the whole statement

“...and the women spread their ntsaroz and sit on one side, the men on the other, like they are two different rivers that are not supposed to meet.”In their wordsTags gender and poetic from her book we need new names.Read the whole statement

“If Messenger would be to open his mouth right now, his voice would be a terrible wound.”In their wordsWe Need New Names (2013)Read the whole statement

“I think the reason they are my relatives now is they are from my country too - it's like the country has become a real family since we are in America, which is not our country.”In their wordsFrom her book we need new names.Read the whole statement

Etisalat Prize for LiteratureAward2011Caine PrizeAward1981Born12 October 1981

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Media & music

Photos 1

In their own words 4

NoViolet Bulawayo

4 statements, newest first

As for the coldness, I have never seen it like this.
2013 · We Need New Names (2013), Own words
There are times, though, that no matter how much food I eat, I find the food does nothing for me, like I am hungry for my country and nothing is going to fix that.
2013 · From her book we need new names., Own words
Now when the men talk, their voices burn in the air, making smoke all over the place. We hear about change, about new country, about democracy, about elections and what-what.
2013 · We Need New Names (2013), Own words

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Awards

Caine Prize2025

Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award2014

Etisalat Prize for Literature2013

Caine Prize2011

About this person

Her debut novel, We Need New Names, was shortlisted for the 2013 Booker Prize, and her second novel, Glory, was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, making her "the first Black African woman to appear on the Booker list twice".

Country

Zimbabwe