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

Character Confusion

The book is well written but the literary device/structure made the book feel disjointed. As a result, it seemed like the author couldn't decide which path to take in multi-tined forked road she created. Because there were different versions of the same characters, none of them was sufficiently developed. I stuck it out through 2/3rds of the book and then gave up.

Unique and thought provoking

Very interesting. I've never looked at names at this level. It made me think about a lot of things and I really enjoyed this fresh and new perspective.

Beautiful and disturbing story.

This novel is at the top of my reading list. A unique story written in a way I have not experienced. Character development is perfect and story that will stay with me for a long period of time. A must read.

What's in a Name

Three different stories based on what a child is named. The back and forth among the stories was somewhat difficult to keep track of in the audio version.

3 choices 3 different paths 3 results

4 stars for The Names by Florence Knapp. This is a buzz book this summer and so I had to read it because - FOMO. It's the story of a woman/mother, Cora, who in her prime was a ballerina but married a man who was a doctor and very abusive to her - both physically and emotionally. After she delivers her second child, a son, she has to register his name and the story becomes not so much about what a name means and how a name can influence/predict how a person turns out, but more so about how lives can change based on a single decision. So, this story is really three pathways chosen by Cora and the sequela of each choice for the entire family - Cora, her daughter, her son, her husband, her mother. On the first path, Cora impulsively defies her husband and names the child, Bear, because her daughter liked that name. This sets off a sequence of explosive events and the fallout is like ash that clouds their lives long after the eruption. An alternative second pathway is one where Cora very determinedly chooses a name, Julian, for her little boy that will transcend the life they've been given and this decision triggers an entirely different, although equally powerful, series of reactions that change their lives forever. And the last path is the one of least resistance where Cora begrudgingly gives in and names the baby after his father, Gordon. This book is bleak AF. I think the premise of these 3 alternate lives is really unique and was executed beautifully. I just found the story depressing which seems to be a theme in 2025! I did not detract a star because it was a solemn read, though. I deducted it because I was actually a tad bored in some parts. I also found the epilogue confusing and unnecessary. Would recommend for anyone with FOMO who doesn't want to miss out on the most unique book of the summer and can handle heavy themes like domestic abuse.

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.

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.