The Names: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

A great read. Inventive and intriguing how difference your life turns out depending on the name you are given. I should’ve taken a few notes on a sticky pad to keep the story lines straight for each of the lead’s names because I don’t read fast. Well written.

I wasnt sure what to expect from this book when it was chosen by the book club I'm in. At first I was like I dont know if I can follow this story being re-told from different perspectives. And then it finally clicked and engaged with me. Bear, energetic and full of love. Protected for so long from realities that were before his memory was strong. Julian, memories and a life filled with tragedy and loss. A strength and worry he wasnt sure how to master. The love of family that finally made him who he was meant to be. Gordon, molded and groomed and tragedy. Luckily the love of a sister that helped round it out. Maia strong and deliberate. Afraid but knows she needs to do more. Hiding and unable to remove the shadow she is living under. Cora, family keeps her together. Tragedy unspoken. A savior that came from nowhere. The supporting characters were all amazing and well written. I did not feel like any were one-dimensional. All were necessary and needed in the story. The writing was interesting and engaging. The story is tough, abuse. Would I recommend, yes. Would I let them know that there are some tough situations and may need to go in with eyes open, yes.

This book was so compelling it was difficult to put down. It weaves together numerous themes—domestic abuse, manipulation, sexuality, art, and genetics—all orbiting around Cora, the mother of Maia and her newborn son. The baby’s name becomes a central tension in the story: Gordon, reflecting his father’s expectation that the child be named after him and follow in his footsteps; Julian, meaning “sky father,” the name Cora chooses in an attempt to placate Gordon while still allowing her son the freedom to forge his own path, and Maia’s name choice—Bear—chosen because she wants her brother to be soft and cuddly, yet strong and brave. Although the shifting names and timelines can feel confusing as the characters move into adulthood, the novel’s central idea remains clear: the names we are given shape who we become and carry the weight of others’ expectations long before we can define ourselves.

This book has an interesting premise but was ultimately unfulfilling. It focuses on Cora, an abused wife, and her family. She has a male baby and the novel projects what this child's life would be like based on his chosen name. There are three names picked for the child - Bear, Julian and Gordon. Their parallel lives are then explored based on their names. Cora puts up with years of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband Gordon, a primary care doctor in England. He appears to be a good man from the outside looking in, and is beloved by his patients, but he is both emotionally and physically abusive to Cora. They have one son, and a daughter named Maia. All three of them have different life outcomes based on the son's name. It astounded me that it took so long for Cora to ask for help. I understand that victimization wears one down, that there is shame involved and that, ultimately, the victim gives up hope. However, the extent of her Cora's abuse is horrific. It seemed inconceivable to me that no one noticed. I resented the authors's use of what appeared to be a gimmick in order to examine a profound problem in domestic relationships. The aspect of generational trauma is briefly examined but the focus of the novel is on Cora and her children. Her husband, Gordon, is not fully fleshed out and is presented as a shell of a man without distinct characterization. As a clinical social worker, I have worked with multitudes of abused women and this novel just misses the mark. The social services Cora interacted with are portrayed as ineffectual and blind to what is occurring. In real life, it would astound me if this could happen. As one can tell, I am not a fan of of The Names by Florence Knapp. Though readable, it just doesn't seem to get to the gist of family violence.

I truly wish I could embody the way human interaction and thought is presented in this book. The contemplations and actions make it feel like change is as easy as considering it and just acting on it one step at a time. The base concept of this book proves to be non-stop fascinating. The little nuances and nods to each of the stories make for a consistently enriching and eye opening read. Strap in though, this book is absolutely brutal and truly provides an emotional rollercoaster that had me in utter awe, sobbing heartily, and still occasionally laughing. Such a strong and beautiful story(ies).

I read around 50 books per year and only write reviews for a small number of those. I have been raving about this book to friends and am reviewing it several weeks after reading it because it has really stuck with me. Such a smart concept and the stories themselves were fascinating. I was so enthralled in each storyline that I found myself going back to check things to make sure I was remembering earlier references correctly. I loved that some of the same characters pop up in multiple storylines. The approach really had me thinking about how one choice can set us in completely different directions. This book is both thought-provoking and almost impossible to put down. I highly recommend it!

I enjoyed it. An interesting and painful story spanning many years.

The moment I read the synopsis of the book I knew it will be interesting, but I did not think it would break my heart and made me cry a lot hehe I highly recommend this book. Is one of the best books I have read this year. Thanks to Goodreads challenge I got the opportunity to read this book so I am very happy I chose to read it.

Names is a well-written and original story that explores how a person’s name can shape their destiny in an alternative reality. The author’s concept is creative and engaging, and the writing feels confident throughout. The book also handles domestic violence with honesty and sensitivity, showing clearly how victims think and feel, as well as how abusers manipulate and control. Overall, Names is a thoughtful, impactful read that blends emotional realism with a unique speculative idea.

The Names is the debut novel from Florence Knapp and what an incredible debut it is. The concept is simple enough: do our names affect the person we become and influence the paths of our lives? Names used to be chosen very carefully for their meaning, although we don’t do that so much these days, perhaps hoping to imbue the child with the qualities of the name. Cora is in an abusive marriage and when she goes to register the birth of her son, she has three names to choose from. Her daughter, Maia, wants the baby to be called Bear, Cora favours Julian which means sky father but her husband Gordon wants the baby named after him. The story then splits into three parts and we follow the journey of boy to man, with each section showing an alternate version of life for each name choice, jumping forward seven years each time. Cora’s choice of name for her son has three different outcomes and leads to three very different lives for her, her son and Maia. Although the book is about the life of Bear/Julian/Gordon, I’d say it’s equally a very powerful exploration of controlling relationships and how they affect a family. It was so fascinating to read the three different scenarios and see where the lives diverged over the years or sometimes where they touched. Are the characters essentially the same, regardless of name or does it have a profound effect on their lives in so many ways? This book is so thought-provoking. Each variation of the life has its emotive, memorable and moving scenes. This is an amazing debut novel and Florence Knapp is without doubt a very talented writer. I found The Names utterly compelling, incredibly moving and very powerful. Without doubt, one of my books of the year.

I loved how the paths that the same characters lived deviated on small things that grew into big things but the people themselves stayed true to a central essence.