The Names

A Novel

De: Florence Knapp

Narrado por: Dervla Kirwan

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“Dazzling. . . The Names is startlingly joyful. . . Knapp tirelessly and beautifully replicates not just loss and grief but endless rebirth and delight.”—The Washington Post

“Elegant. . . this is a wholly original work.”—People Magazine "Book of the Week"

“A magnificent novel, thrumming with life in all its pain and precariousness, yet suffused with the glorious possibilities of love and redemption.”—Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse

The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.

©2025 Florence Knapp (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The Names is a truly gorgeous, heart-opening novel. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m grateful to have Cora and her children living inside my heart now. What a wonderful book!”—Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

“Beautiful, heart-wrenching, utterly original.”—Miranda Cowley Heller, New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace

“Knapp’s plotting is skillful, her tapestry of stories cleverly woven…The Names stands out as a compelling and original debut, a book that asks at least as many questions as it answers.”—The Guardian

Compelling unusual story!

Highly recommend - outstanding narration! This is a compelling and unusual story and makes you think about the power of a name and the naming of the child.

Unique and thought provoking

I loved everything about this book. Couldn’t stop listening. The reader is reminded that choices we make in life can alter the course we are on but that these choices each have positives and negatives instead of any being absolutely “right”.

Absolutely Stunning – A Haunting, Beautiful Listen

The Names completely blew me away. It’s been a long time since a book affected me this deeply. Gut-wrenching and painful at times, yes—but there’s something undeniably beautiful in the premise, the writing style, and the way the story unfolds. It lingers.

The narrator does a phenomenal job—so nuanced, so in tune with the emotional undercurrents of the story. I felt every pause, every shift in tone, like it was breathing life into the text. It made the experience all the more immersive.

This isn’t a book you just listen to—it’s one you feel in your bones. Highly recommend to anyone who appreciates literary fiction that challenges, moves, and stays with you long after it ends.

Truly Exceptional

I’ve been waiting for this book. It is so touching on so many levels. My favorite so far this year (2025)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mesmerizing and Thought-Provoking

The Names completely captivated me. Florence Knapp masterfully explores the concept of how a single choice can splinter into multiple realities, each leading to a completely different life. I was hooked on how the storyline followed three parallel paths—watching how one decision shaped not just the main character’s life, but the lives around them in completely unexpected ways.

The narration was spot-on, pulling me deep into each version of the story. It really made me reflect on the “what ifs” in my own life. Every thread felt equally compelling, emotional, and real. The writing was beautiful, the characters felt honest and raw, and the execution of the multi-reality concept was seamless.

If you love stories that make you think about fate, choice, and the ripple effects of even the smallest moments—this is absolutely worth the listen.

A must read!

This book has so much depth to it, I will be re-listening to it again! What a powerful story.

Heartbreakingly Beautiful

I loved getting to know all the characters and the three narratives of the same man with different names. I also love how our choices, intentional or not, affect and effect ourselves and the people around us.
I could not put it down, wanting, needing, to know how each character unfolded.
The narration is calming, peaceful, and vivid imagery with the writing.
At its core, this story is about domestic abuse and the choices and one’s name influence and shape identity.

The unusual premise

The artist is a beautiful writer. Very intelligently written and the ending was wonderful and surprising.

What's in a Name? Everything

interesting idea...how does a name shape who a person may become and how different their life may be if they have a different name

So heartbreaking / so beautiful

Such an incredible book. Loved the narration. Such a sad, beautiful, and creatively told story which is heartbreaking to know there are families going through this kind of trauma. Could not stop listening.