The Names by Florence Knapp was a unique story, told in three alternate timelines. In each one, the future of Cora and her family unfolds differently as a result of the name she bestows on her newborn son. The writing was good, and I found myself caring about these characters so much. I had a little bit of trouble keeping track of what happened in each story, but I liked how each one covered the exact same time period, and the 7 year time jump each time ensured that the story moved along at a steady pace. While I don’t necessarily believe a name would affect someone’s life that much, it was the decision behind each name that led to both immediate consequences as well as a ripple effects that led to three distinct futures.

I think I will be in the minority with this one but sadly I did not love it as much as others have. I thought the concept of this story was so interesting to me, and the beginning of this book really drew me in and had me hooked. I think maybe it was the pacing of this book that lost me along the way. And at times I did find the 3 different stories difficult to follow. However the idea and concept of this was so good, and I was blown away that this is a debut, I would definitely read whatever she puts out next

An exceptionally original novel that asks the question, how much do our names define us? What IF our lives took a different path?

This beautiful novel can be difficult to read at times. Cora, the protagonist, was an abused wife. Since her husband was a very well regarded and respected doctor, he seems to all as above reproach. She has no support system…

The story alternates between three different scenarios. One in which Cora names her baby son ‘Bear‘, (the suggestion of her daughter Maia because he is cuddly yet strong). One in which Cora names him “Julian“(Cora’s choice which means ‘sky father’), and one in which she does as her abusive husband suggests, and names him “Gordon“, after his father.

The novel follows these three same (but very different) men, as they grow up and become adults. The ripple effect of their name choices will follow them throughout their lives and highly impact the lives of those who love them.

I was immersed in this story. It was so unique and well written, that I feel it is one of those books that will stay with you for years. As the blurb states, a ‘modern classic’. A poignant and unforgettable read.

Seldom do you read a debut novel and immediately think, this one will definitely make my top ten reads of the year list. Well folks, this one was original, emotional, and thought-provoking. Kudos to Florence Knapp! I can’t recommend it highly enough.

A truly extraordinary story—unlike anything I've encountered before.

Debut author, Florence Knapp masterfully intertwines three distinct storylines, each tracing the evolution of the same boy as he’s shaped by the identity tied to his given name. It’s a brilliant exploration of how a name can echo through a life, altering its course in subtle and profound ways.

Bear embodies the quiet strength and bravery his sister always believed in. Julian wrestles with the fear of becoming the man he dreads most—his father. And Gordon drifts through existence, untouched and untethered, as if the world itself can’t quite pin him down.

The Names is a moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the stories we carry within our names.

Brilliant novel. Thought-provoking and yet entertaining. Not overly melodramatic. Well worth reading. 5 stars

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Florence Knapp, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Names: A Read with Jenna Pick by Florence Knapp is a truly remarkable and unforgettable debut. This novel is a breathtaking exploration of how a single decision can ripple through a family's history, forever altering the course of their lives.

Knapp's writing is exquisite, weaving together three distinct but interconnected timelines with incredible grace and emotional depth. The premise is both brilliant and deeply human: can a name truly shape one's destiny? Through the lives of Cora and her son, told in three different ways, the author explores themes of fate, free will, domestic abuse, and the enduring power of family.

This book is a masterclass in storytelling. The characters are complex and raw, and their struggles are rendered with a heartbreaking honesty that will stay with you long after the final page. The Names is a profound, beautifully crafted, and utterly unique novel that is destined to become a modern classic. It is, without a doubt, a five-star read.

It is not often these days that a book brings me to tears but this one sure did! What a fascinating idea that something so ordinary (yet extraordinary) as one's name could make such a difference in the course of one's life! I was so pleased with the arc provided for each of the names though the Gordon one certainly had me wanting to throw the book across the room a few times (I recognize this was likely the author's intent). A beautiful story of family bonds and the complexities of abusive relationships and the ripples they cause across lives. Highly recommend but heed the content warnings! Especially if you have experienced any similar trauma in your own life.

What’s in a name?
Apparently—everything.

This novel is as heart-wrenching as it is beautiful, and it’s hard to believe it’s a debut. It explores a deeply moving question: Does your name shape your identity and destiny, or are you inherently who you are, no matter what you're called?

The story follows a young boy as he grows into adulthood through three alternate versions of his life, each defined by a different name. We meet the warm, grounded Bear; the tentative, introspective Julian; and the confident Gordon, whose boldness evolves into something more complex over time. Each identity not only reshapes the boy’s life but also deeply affects his relationships, with his family, his friends, and even himself.

It all begins with a choice: Cora, holding her newborn son, must decide what to write on his birth certificate. Should she name him Gordon, after his cruel and looming father? Or Bear, in hopes of a future filled with kindness and strength? Or Julian, full of possibility and light? That single decision splinters the narrative into three parallel timelines, each tracking not just the boy’s life over 35 years, but also the lives of Cora, her daughter Maia, and Cora’s mother, Silbhe.

Each version of the story is emotional, distinct, and at times suspenseful, yet all are tied together by a thread of love, resilience, and the question of fate. The writing is fluid and compelling, making it easy to follow each path and deeply connect with each version of the protagonist.

This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in 2025. It’s powerful, thought-provoking, and the kind of story that lingers long after the final page.

Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys literary fiction with a speculative twist. If you loved Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid or the film Sliding Doors, this one’s for you. It’ll leave you asking: Can one small decision truly alter everything? Or do we somehow always find our way back to who we’re meant to be?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC of this book.

Audio is my start word in wordle too.

Loved!!! The concept of this novel is unique - I have never seen anything like it before. The story was written so well and I think the character development in this one is one of the best I have ever read. My heart ached for Cora in every timeline, and I absolutely loved reading the progression of how their lives all played out. Lots of heavy content matter for sure, but I appreciated that each timeline had a 'happy' ending. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone, no matter what your typical genre is! Can't wait to read Florence Knapp's future work.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Names by Florence Knapp. This was quite a unique book to read. It was an emotional read and the book showed you the differences in life depending on the path you choose to take. One decision can change your entire life. It was well written and I would highly recommend it. I gave it a 5 star rating. What a debut novel for Florence Knapp.

I’m thankful that I was given the opportunity to read this, unfortunately, for this copy, I was not able to enlarge the font size, so I was not able to read this copy. I do look forward to reading this one in hard copy form soon. Thank you.

4.5/5⭐

This book really really made me think and because of that I might be able to look past some of my irks about this and it might actually be a 5 star read.

Trigger warning related to domestic abuse and sexual assault. Capital T trauma and seeing the ripple effects through a family made for an intricate story that was at times hard to read.

Some of this was really really tough to read but the concept, asking what's in a name, what would happen if just one thing changed in someone's life, something as small yet big as a name being different, is something I find so so interesting.

For a debut novel this is fantastic! Sometimes the writing was just perfect and sometimes it felt a bit too detailed/thesaurusy.

I can't help but think that maybe the execution of this great idea for a novel didn't quite work out everytime? Maybe the author wanted to show that everything works out in the end no matter what happens that it just works out differently and we are all going to be okay. But being just okay isn't necessarily the best content for a book and it felt sometimes a bit anti-climatic?

Tricky following three characters who all have parallel/alternate universe stories with different events happening or sometimes similar ones but slightly different. But maybe that's the point? The stories and different timelines all interweave and blue together?

I really got attached to certain characters and storylines so it was challenging swapping to a different version in different chapters.

5 Stars
An unforgettable debut novel!
“Your name is your destiny.”

In The Names, Florence Knapp delivers a stunning meditation on choice, identity, and generational legacy. Cora is expected to continue tradition by making her son his father’s namesake. Her husband, Gordon, is a well-respected general practitioner—but behind closed doors, Cora endures a deeply abusive marriage. What weight does a name truly carry? Desperate to break the cycle and offer her son a different future, Cora considers naming him Julian, meaning “sky father,” to suggest a life full of limitless possibilities, or Bear, so he might grow up to be “all soft and cuddly… brave and strong.”

The novel unfolds across three parallel timelines, shaped by Cora’s fateful decision—naming her son Gordon, Julian, or Bear. Each path explores how a single choice reverberates through a child’s life and across generations. The ripple effect doesn’t stop with Cora and her son—it profoundly transforms the lives of his sister, Maia, and grandmother, Silbhe, in beautifully distinct and poignant ways.

At first, the shifting narratives can feel disorienting, but the structure quickly becomes intuitive—and ultimately brilliant. The character development is exceptional, and I especially loved how each name shaped not only the son's identity but also the emotional arcs of Cora, Maia, and Silbhe.
This is not an easy read. The depictions of domestic abuse are raw and unflinching. The Names is a gut-wrenching, deeply emotional novel that somehow leaves you heartbroken and hopeful in equal measure.

It even made me wonder: who might I have become with a different name?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

At it's heart this book explores the question "What's in a name?. This is my exactly my type of book. Offering "what if", "alternative reality," at its finest.

Told in three alternating storylines, a baby boy is bestowed three different names, dictating the path of the boy's life and, indeed, the lives of everyone around him. Exploring the what ifs, the ripple effects of the simple act of naming your child and the highs and lows of life. Incredibly poignant and thought-provoking. At the start of the novel, Cora must register the name for her baby boy. Her husband wants to continue his family's first name legacy, Cora has her preferred name, and even nine year old Maia weighs in with her choice. The timeline diverges as Cora is asked by the registrar for the babies name.

This is the strongest debut I have read, ever. I was enthralled, I was shocked, I was emotionally wrung. I had to put the book down several times, which almost never happens. So please make sure you are in a good headspace and take care to read trigger warnings ⚠️. The narrative takes several really dark turns.

Absolutely brilliant and memorable.

I LOVED this book. The three plot lines, the complexity of Bear/Julian/Gordon's character, the weaving and wobbling of a life lived after a single decision. It was heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. I could not get enough of it.

Grateful for this ARC - thank you, NetGalley! I was tremendously excited to read this, and it certainly did not disappoint. I did, however, have to wait a few days after finishing to let it marinate and gather my thoughts. If you are sensitive to themes of domestic abuse, you may find this a challenging read.

The Names by Florence Knapp is a bold and emotionally resonant debut novel that explores how a single choice of naming a newborn can shape the course of an entire life.
The story splits into three parallel timelines, one for each potential name for the child, tracing the child’s life over the next 35 years based on the name chosen. With lyrical prose and deep psychological insight, Knapp examines themes of identity, trauma, legacy, and reinvention.
Though structurally complex and at times intense, The Names is a powerful meditation on the ripple effects of our decisions, and the hope of rewriting our stories.

The Names is a compelling, ambitious debut that offers both imagination and impact. It’s a devastating yet satisfying read, one that challenges and lingers. It’s ideal for those who welcome literary complexity and emotionally vivid storytelling. If you’re up for a story about identity, choice, and the ripple effects of said choices, The Names is a novel not to miss.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Florence Knapp, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book had such a compelling premise—could your entire life unfold differently simply because of your name? While I’m not entirely convinced that a name alone could change everything, the story invited me to reflect on the many small choices and circumstances that shape who we become. Exploring alternate timelines through this lens was both creative and thought-provoking.

As a reader in my 40s, I especially appreciated the depth of communication and emotional intelligence between the characters. It felt grounded and real—never cringey or overly sentimental—just honest, mature connection that mirrored what we often seek in real life.

Ultimately, this is a story that draws you in and leaves you feeling deeply connected to every version of these characters. It stayed with me long after the final chapter. I’m so glad I picked this one up—it gave me a lot to think about, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what Florence Knapp does next.

An absolutely heartbreaking and powerful read. Be sure to check trigger warnings but the topics are handled with care and compassion. The storytelling is spell binding and will stay with the reader for a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pengiun Random House Canada for the digital ARC. The Names was such a moving story that shows the amazing butterfly effect of how one choice spirals out to so very many subsequent events in a chain reaction fashion. The author touches on three different name choices for a family's second child - a son - Gordon, Julian and Bear. As the stories move forward from birth and name registration through the years as history plays out in each of the three name scenarios, it sweeps through multiple countries with such beautiful writing. The inclusion of historical events along with challenges that are faced in relationships brings such a great amount of humanity. One of the excellent quotes from the ARC which may or may not be in the published version was, "One day, as Julian was doing his accounts at the kitchen table, someone interviewed on the radio compared the act of running to a wish to escape something. 'Will you listen to that,' she'd scoffed. 'I'm running toward my life-the three of you-not away from it."

What’s in a name? Following the birth of her second child, Cora is sent by her husband, Gordon, to register the birth. Gordon wants his son to be named Gordon. Gordon is an abuser. The novel is told through three story lines, based on three names for the baby boy - Bear, Julian and Gordon. The stories jump every seven years. Terrific debut.