Hitting Budapest

by NoViolet Bulawayo

Short story published in the Boston Review Nov/Dec 2010. Won The Caine Prize for African Writing in 2011.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, African Literature, Africa

Unknown Binding

First published November 1, 2010

About the author

NoViolet Bulawayo (pen name of Elizabeth Tshele) is a Zimbabwean author, and Stegner Fellow at Stanford University (2012–2014).
Bulawayo won the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing for her short story "Hitting Budapest," about a gang of street children in a Zimbabwean shantytown.
Her first novel We Need New Names (2013) was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, making her the first African female writer to earn this distinction.
She has begun work on a memoir project.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was searching through my to read list to find a book shorter than 100 pages for one of my reading challenges when I realized that I had this short story on there. It's very short - about five pages - but tells a lot. I've been wanting to read this author since I came across her other work entitled "We Need New Names," which was adopted by the SF Public Library as a city read (I haven't gotten to it yet, but plan to!). This story gave me mixed feelings - a reality check of how "good" I have it to be an American, horror, a deeper understanding of the resiliency that many children possess, and ironically, hope. It was an easy and quick read (in terms of length and readability), but rich with language. I'd definitely recommend it - can be found here: www.caineprize.com/pdf/2011_Bulaywo.pdf

[Moushumi Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A searing short story set in the poorer parts of Zimbabwe ironically called Paradise. Six kids - Darling, Chipo, Sbho, Godknows, Bastard and Stina find creative ways to fill their belly. They hit Budapest, the rich neighbourhood where food so plenty that no one picks off the guavas from the trees. Hitting Budapest is the story of one such expedition. Striking language and way the author narrates everyday cruelties make this short story remarkable.

[Kudzai Mhangwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was heartbreaking and powerful! The way she captures the hopelessness of the lives of he characters is so effective. You go through this day in their life with them. Bulawayo is a great writer I recommend this to anybody who wants a taste of how some people go about their lives in a way that isn't glamorous.

[Justine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Huh? That's it?

[Tintarella]

گادنوز می‌گوید: «خدا برای این کار مجازاتت می‌کنه.» باستارد سنگ دیگری پرت می‌کند. می‌خورد به پای زن و صدا می‌کند. زن همان‌طور بی حرکت مانده. من وحشت زده‌ام، زن انگار دارد از گوشه‌ی چشم‌های سفید و بیرون زده اش نگاه‌ام می‌کند. نگاه می‌کند و منتظر است کاری کنم که نمی‌دانم چیست.
باستارد می‌گوید: «خدا این‌جا زندگی نمی‌کنه ابله.» سنگ دیگری پرت می‌کند. به لباس زن می‌ساید و رد می‌شود و من خوشحالم که موفق نمی‌شود.

[Anchit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realize I've already read this short story as part of reading the book "We need new names". How in the hell did this book win a prize and that one didn't? We need new names captures the same spirit/soul in Hitting Budapest and gives you the whole chunk as a story.

Hitting Budapest is quite memorable and if you like this you must read "We need new names".

[Fariha Shaikh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever use of names and places to metaphorically express the inevitability of their lost future and how poverty can affect kids with shaky morals for survival. Personally, this book was okay, a little overhyped for me and too short to really develop much plot, but it touches on important themes that are worth discussing and reading about.

[Behizain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aurkitu berri dudan Xerezaderen Artxiboa izeneko podcastean entzun dut. Zimbabweko herri txiro bateko haur batzuk Budapest izeneko aberatsen herrira doaz guaiabak lapurtzera. Txango honetan zehar beraien bizimodua eta pentsakera ikus dezakegu.

[Dr Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely interesting read. Use of children’s perspectives on incest, poverty, and hunger add dimension to reality of life in Zimbabwe.

[Borderless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie

[orphia · Rating 5 out of 5]

dang