The Names is such a unique and beautiful book, one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. This lives up to the comparisons to Sliding Doors - how does a name shape and affect the life of an entire family? We find out through the stories of Bear, Julian, and Gordon. There are definitely themes of domestic abuse and violence, but the beauty of the story and the writing are what stood out for me. A Read with Jenna pick that would be an excellent read for any book club. I loved it.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin and NetGalley for this ARC.

The description of this book had me very intrigued. I love "what if" type books and this one was certainly that. I will say that while I really enjoyed the concept and format of this book, it was a bit hard to get used to with all of the characters and side character's names. It got confusing at times trying to remember who went with what name but it did eventually click.

Overall, a well-written and unique idea that I will definitely recommend to others.

This is one of the most interesting premises that I have ever read in a book! It sets out to answer the question- What's in a name? How does one's name affect one's destiny? Cora is supposed to name her newborn son after her husband Gordan. That's what her controlling and abusive husband demands and expects. But when it comes time to give him a name, she isn't sure. This novel explores three different "paths" that her life will take depending on whicho f three names she chooses to give her son-- Bear, Julian and Gordon. Absolutely fascinating idea!!

Overall, I really liked this one. But I did have trouble keeping track of the different paths. Aside from the son, every other character had the same name. So it was challenging to keep track of what was happening with each character in each path. I had to go back and refresh my memory multiple times. But still, even with the challenge of keeping track of all the different stories, this is an original concept and a unique read. I most definitely recommend it!

This one does need a trigger warning. Domestic violence and abuse is a big part of the story and often written about in detail, so be prepared for that.

What a phenomenal concept for a novel. I was absolutely enthralled with each of the three storylines and loved the layout and storylines for each. I always enjoy a good “path not taken” story and The Names took this concept to an entirely new level.

Bear/Julian/Gordon is a character that will stick with me for a long time. The trajectory of not only his life but that of his entire family and those around him based on the name his mother (or sister!) chose for him was so intriguing.

I think one element Knapp absolutely nailed was making this book about so much more than Bear/Julian/Gordon. I loved the stories and plots involving his mother and sister and grandmother and Lily and so many more.

It was also exceptional that each part jumped 7 years. Again, Knapp flawlessly filled in the missing years with just enough information to keep me in the loop but keep the story moving forward.

Admittedly, it was slightly hard to keep each storyline straight. They often included the same people but with different nuances and it could take me a bit to recalibrate.

This book will stay with me. So thought provoking and perfectly delivered.

Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books for the copy.

The Names is a powerful, haunting debut that explores how a single decision—what to name a child—can reshape the course of multiple lives. When Cora, a mother escaping the emotional grip of an abusive marriage, hesitates at the registrar’s office, that moment fractures into three alternate realities, each tracing a different path for her and her son over the next 35 years.

This novel is as emotionally profound as it is structurally inventive. With stunning prose and remarkable sensitivity, Knapp examines the impact of domestic abuse, the complexities of family, and the power of choice. It’s a deeply thought-provoking reflection on fate, identity, and how our smallest actions can leave the most lasting marks.

I was completely immersed—moved by its emotional intensity and amazed by its originality. A brilliant concept beautifully executed, The Names would spark rich conversation in any book club. An unforgettable debut, and I can’t wait to see what Knapp writes next.

Florence Knapp’s The Names opens with a deceptively simple premise: a mother, Cora, must choose a name for her newborn son. Her husband, Gordon—a respected doctor and a violent, controlling figure at home—expects the child to be named after him. But when Cora hesitates at the registrar’s office, the novel splinters into three alternate timelines, each shaped by the name she selects: Bear, Julian, or Gordon.

Knapp’s story unfolds over 35 years, revisiting each version of the family’s life in seven-year intervals. Each timeline reveals different outcomes for Cora and her children, illuminating the long tail of domestic abuse, resilience, and the possibility of healing.

Cora is a deeply compelling protagonist—graceful, wounded, and quietly defiant. Her daughter Maia, precocious and perceptive, adds emotional texture as she grows into her own identity. The three sons Bear, Julian, and Gordon are distinct yet intertwined, each shaped by their name, environment, and the legacy of violence. Supporting characters like Mehri, Fern, and Cian offer glimpses of hope and alternative models of love and care.

Knapp’s writing is special. She captures the physicality of trauma with restraint, allowing the emotional weight to settle naturally. Her descriptions of domestic spaces and natural landscapes are descriptive, grounding the story in a reality that feels like home. I did find the multiple timelines initially disorienting, but once I was absorbed in the story that was a small consideration. The Names is a literary tour de force—emotionally wrenching, structurally daring, and thematically rich.

What a fabulous premise for a novel—how would one family change over time if a baby was given a different name? The writing was absolutely gorgeous and so evocative. My only quibbles would be that it was hard dipping in and out of the different timelines and by skipping 7 years each time, you felt as if you had missed some key events and character development. Warning that this book is SO SAD. The domestic abuse storyline is heavy and pervasive. Ultimately the endings is hopeful so I think it’s worth it, but man is it a difficult read at some points.

Wow this was such a unique story!!! I loved how new and fresh it felt. I was so invested in this concept and I thought the execution was fantastic. I was hooked the entire time. This one definitely deserves all the hype it's getting! I was so invested in the characters and the different storylines, very emotional, highly recommend!

The story line was very hard to navigate through. The idea that a name could shape the lives of a person and that of their close contacts really resonated with me. Cora was such a brave and heartbreaking character as she struggled with domestic abuse. It follows three parallel narratives; where Cora has named her son Bear, Julien, and Gordon. The author explores the power in a name, and how a name might steer identity, relationships, and fate. What a unique, beautifully written book! The idea that what you name your child can result in three different trajectories in their lives is original and fascinating. She writes the lives of the children and their family in seven year intervals and at times I got the characters confused with their storyline but it was a joy to read Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher.

Ok 5 ⭐️s feels like not nearly enough. I absolutely adored this book by @florenceknapp_ 🪻it was superbly written, deeply developed, and entirely thought-provoking. To read three vastly different narratives on the basis on a name alone… Florence truly captured the “butterfly effect” and it was pure storytelling magic. Adding this to my list of top reads for 2025… have you read it yet?!

I enjoyed this book a lot! I liked that every path taken had both positive and negative repercussions- one wasn’t the best or the worst for all the characters. I also appreciated that the author directed readers to check out real life artists that inspired the characters. Thank you for the pre-pub copy!

What an original concept. That doesn't always happen, and it did here. Three different stories are told for a family with a child who is given three different names. Cora is married to an abusive, overbearing husband. The book starts off on the day that Cora has to register her new son's name, but then the book takes three paths - the path where she names him Bear, another where she names him Julian, and the last, after the husband, Gordan. The book progresses along the three very different lives and shows how a person's name can affect their outcome. Such an interesting idea, and three such different lives. I loved this book.

I still cannot believe this was the authors debut novel. I’ll admit that I didn’t research anything about this book before reading it but I do recommend looking up trigger warnings for more sensitive readers. This book was very emotional and heavy but the author did an incredible job of writing these dark themes with such grace. The title of the book is exactly that - how a name changes everything and the impact it has on people’s lives. So many different realities on the name and how it doesn’t only affect that one person but ripples into other lives as well. This book explores how a persons identity and the life they live can be affected in different ways all by one crucial decision.
This book was raw, dark, full of poise and devastatingly beautiful. It’s the kind of story that will stay with you for a very long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the advance reader's copy of this book for review.

The Names by Florence Knapp asks, can a name change the trajectory of a life?

Cora and Gordon and 9-year-old Maia live in England. Cora has just given birth to a boy and is in charge of naming him with the registrar. Gordon has ordered her to name the boy Gordon, a name that has been passed down in his family for years. Seems an innocent enough task, but Cora wants some say in the matter. She has never liked the name Gordon and it just doesn't seem to fit her young babe - she would like to name him Julian, which means "sky father" and might be a name Gordon would compromise on, Young Maia would like to name him Bear.

What follows is a look into all three possible lives for Bear, Julian, and Gordon, from their birth in 1987 until they are grown men in 2022, In all the timelines, Gordon Sr., a beloved doctor to his patients, is a terror at home and abuses Cora both physically and mentally. Each name changes the trajectory of the family and has different consequences for Cora, Gordon Sr., Maia, and Bear/Julian/Gordon:

Bear - Cora names the baby Bear as per Maia's suggestion, forming a close bond between the siblings but threatening her safety with Gordon. When Bear's name is revealed Gordon is furious. Tragedy strikes and the makeup of their family is forever changed.

Julian - When Cora reveals that she has gone against Gordon's orders and named the baby Julian, Gordon is not happy. However, Maia is the one who mollifies Gordon by telling him that the name means "father". When Maia is out of the room, Gordon threatens Cora, telling her he won't let her mistake go.

Gordon - Cora does as Gordon Sr. asks and names the baby Gordon, but she feels resentful, with herself, with Gordon, and with baby Gordon. As a result, she begins to neglect baby Gordon's needs, pushing a wedge between them that has consequences for all.

While the theme of the book is how each name affects the family, the main thread of the book is Cora's abuse and how she handles it (or doesn't handle it) in each incarnation. I found that to be a surprise that added a lot of depth to the story.

In the end, Knapp was successful in her query to show us how the simple act of naming a baby can have lasting consequences with each different name and, although the book was quite different than I had imagined, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was interesting to ponder how certain choices can change our lives and the lives around us.

The only criticism I would give is that the format was a bit hard to follow - Knapp writes about each named boy and then jumps forward seven years, over and over again until he is 35. I found it hard to keep track of who was who in each storyline because all the events weren't immediately sequential.

This was such a fabulous book, and it is nearly impossible to imagine how something this complex and artfully put together could be a debut novel. I will certainly be watching for future novels by this author! The description of the book put me in mind of something like Sliding Doors, so I expected it to be a bit science fictiony. That's not what it was at all, but I was not disappointed in the least. The book seems to be about how a simple thing can change a person's life completely, and I suppose it is that, but its underlying truth is that no matter what one goes through in life, one's basic character will come out. I loved that message and the way the author made the contradictory messages make complete sense.

The structure of the book helped with this theme, starting with an overarching introductory chapter, breaking in the three stories and following them through time, and then coming back together in an overarching resolution. All of the characters are extremely well developed, involving the reader so deeply into their lives that reading the book is a very emotional experience. There are some events that could easily be triggers, particularly around domestic abuse, so beware of those especially since they are so powerful in this book. Although there are tough times to get through, the final outcome is hopeful. The author weaves the three possible lives in and out amongst each other, with many characters appearing in more than one thread. This is masterfully and beautifully done.

I think this book would be great for a literary-minded book club. I truly appreciate beautiful writing, and this is that in spite of the subject matter.

I really liked The Names by Florence Knapp. The premise hooked me right away—it felt original and quietly compelling. I thought the structure added a lot to the story, and the pacing was spot on. It moved in a way that kept me interested without ever feeling rushed. A really solid, thoughtful read. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever Knapp writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that have a loose relationship with time. Books that are linear but not, that explore the various sliding door moments in our lives. The Names explores these moments through the lens of a single name being changed in three different timelines. It invites the reader to wonder at the meaning behind their name, and how the trajectory of their lives could be different based on that one small change. Would I be the same person if I were named Rose, instead of Sarah? Would the trajectory of my life been the same? Knapp explores these questions as well as the nature of abuse, self-worth, and belonging through three delightfully woven separate narratives. While producing different outcomes in each story, the entire narrative fits masterfully together like a giant puzzle. I greatly enjoyed this book.

"Can a name change the course of a life?"

I found the premise behind this book so interesting! The Names is told across three timelines, and follows one mother’s split-second decision at the birth registrar—and how that choice ripples through the lives of her son, her family, and herself over the next 35 years.

Read if you like: alternate timelines, family drama, and slow-burn stories.

Did your mother ever consider naming you something else?

My mother wanted to name me Kelly and my Dad wanted to name me Renee so they compromised and named me Kelly Renee.

This will be one of my top 5 books of the year - I can't stop thinking about it. Completely original premise, with a sliding doors element of what happens to this family based on the name given to the baby.

This book revolves around a mother and her two children and a decision that she makes about her son's name. Her abusive husband has suggested that the boy be named after his father, just like he was, but the mother has her own ideas and their nine year old daughter has her own idea as well. The story splinters into three imaginings-one for each name and follows the family through time. Each name has its own challenges and permutations and it's interesting to see how the story progresses. There are some graphic depictions of both physical and emotional abuse. There are themes of family, identity, finding your own path, love, loyalty, and how each of those things play out. It's also a reminder of how small decisions can make big changes to a person's life. Readers who enjoyed Kate Atkinson's book Life After Life might like this one too.