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

Interesting concept- Three short stories in one novel with all the same characters but different outcomes.

I enjoyed the novel, but the narration could have been much better. Between the narrator’s accent and her soft voice, rising and falling, it was often necessary to replay various parts or just to miss something.

The unusual premise

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

Character development

Authors ability to make charter come alive with genuine thoughts emotions tenderness in love and sorrow and joy

I approached this title suspiciously, but came to really care about these characters

Using a device like this can really seem gimmicky, but I was pleasantly surprised by how effective it was in this case. Even though I got a little bit confused from time to time as to whose story I was in, I still was anxious to see how that particular version was working out. And be so in hopes of a happy ending in spite of everything. Warning: there are some hard to bear scenes of cruelty in this book. There was a time or two I thought I couldn’t go on. The pain was worth the satisfaction of the experience, however. I will now retreat to the safer space of a less immersive experience for my next book. A Scottish murder mystery will feel like a comedy after this.

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.

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

Hidden truth

Very creative with the three different realities that unfold based on a name of a child… I was intrigued through the entire story… heartbroken often and touched by tenderness

So much in a name

This book was a fascinating look at how names have power. A moving, sometimes disturbing novel, my interest never flagged and I could not wait to find what happened next in each scenario. Highly recommend.

One long daydream

Loved the idea of how a name or expectation can define you. I felt a bit bored even though extremely well written.

So devastatingly good

This was so hard to read because of the sensitive content but such an incredible story and idea to consider how someone’s name might completely alter not only their path but the paths of everyone around them. Highly suggest reading!