The Names by Florence Knapp

I have to say this is a debut novel that actually deserves all the hype. I just finished reading The Names and found it unputadownable (and yes, I am going to stick with that word, thank you very much).

The story opens with Cora who’s torn about which name to give her newborn son on his birth certificate. When she gets to the registry office, the story splits into three parts, following what their lives could’ve looked like had she named her son one of three names: Gordon (after her abusive husband), Bear (yes, like the animal), or Julian (classy, artistic).

Each name leads to an entirely different life, not just for the newborn, but also for Cora, her daughter Maia, and a constellation of relationships which change and morph with every choice.

Ms. Knapp’s premise is daring: how would the choice of a child’s name change a whole family’s destiny? If you’re like me, you’ll be glued to the story and keep reading to find out. You’ll especially want to keep reading to very last page, as there is a wonderful and surprising ending.

Content Warning: There are depictions of domestic violence that will make you cringe. The opening section is particularly tough, but if you can get through those early pages, you’re in for an incredibly rewarding and beautifully told story.

Yes, it is reminiscent of the film ‘Sliding Doors’ but The Names is much more poignant, and in places, an emotional roller-coaster.

The writing is very real, I don’t know how else to put it. The story pulls you into three very authentic and ‘real’ stories of three different young men, who turn out to become as distinct as their names.

I’ll cheat a bit here and quote the blurb from the book because it perfectly captures my feelings about The Names:

Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the “one … precious life” we are given. Full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and love’s endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.

To summarize, this is definitely a Book Barmy recommendation.

N.B. I had to chuckle after I closed the book. I went through many versions of my name growing up. Debbie, Debi (with a little heart over the ‘i’ – don’t judge too harshly, I was 13), and finally, when I entered business I changed it to the more professional Deborah. I also use Deb a great deal. And some favorite young childen could only pronounce Debba which has stuck. So names can indeed change to suit the current life need.