THE NAMES

What is in a name? Is your name your destiny and does it determine your future? This brilliant debut novel from Florence Knapp is sure to inspire interesting book club discussion over the significance of a chosen name, and whether a life could have turned out differently depending on this choice. However, there is so much more to Knapp’s writing as she tackles all the emotions of a challenging family life via three different casts – a fascinating and unputdownable debut.

Cory is married to Gordon, a well-respected GP. They have a 9 year-old daughter Maia and a new born son. Cory is about to register her baby son’s name and this is the brilliant premise of the story. Gordon presumes his new son will have his name as is tradition in his family, but Cory likes the name Julian whose name means sky father as it implies transcending a long line of troubled fathers, whilst Maia, as apt for her age, opts for Bear because it sounds soft and cuddly and kind. Knapp imagines how one’s path in life could be potentially determined by your birth name as we follow the three different storylines of Bear, Julian and Gordon.

The added string to this story is that it is centred around domestic abuse. Knapp sensitively and fearlessly deals with this important subject as the Atkins’ family life moves forward in 7-year intervals from 1987 through to 2022. Each time we catch a brief glimpse into their contrasting pathways and each time we are immediately drawn into their contrasting choices and critical turning points. The name choice Knapp also gives every periphery character reflects their personality and potentially their fate. Over the years, the different stories ingeniously intertwine and whereas a person or event it is a fleeting moment or image in one story, it can be a pivotal moment in another.

‘The Names’ is a fascinating and brilliant hypothesis about the decisions that shape our lives, the choices not taken often more heart-breaking that the mistakes made. It is also beautifully crafted and a joy to read. A fantastic debut.