The Names — Florence Knapp

A once in a generation debut from a major new talent The Names is the story of three names three versions of a life and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark I ve just been blown away by the best debut novel in years A genius idea for a book Sunday Times Wildly original and emotionally profound Observer An unadulterated success moving evocative and utterly convincing The TimesTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERIt is 1987 and in the aftermath of a great storm Cora sets out with her nine year old daughter to register the birth of her son Her husband intends for her to follow a long standing family tradition and call the baby after him But when faced with the decision Cora hesitates Going against his wishes is a risk that will have consequences but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men The choice she makes in this moment will shape the course of their lives Seven years later her son is Bear a name chosen by his sister and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerged Or he is Julian the name his mother set her heart on believing it will enable him to become his own person Or he is Gordon named after his father and raised in his cruel image but is there still a chance to break the mould Powerfully moving and full of hope this is the story of three names three versions of a life and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark It is the story of one family and love s endless capacity to endure no matter what fate has in store CHOSEN AS A SUNDAY TIMES DAILY MAIL RED PRIMA STYLIST and EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF 2025 A READ WITH JENNA BOOKCLUB PICK The viral literary hit of the summer Grazia A beautiful heartwrenching utterly original novel Miranda Cowley Heller The 2025 book that will be everywhere One of those rare books that makes you glad to be alive Stylist Magnificent Read it It s very special Chris Whitaker Beautifully written and wise and tender An utter original Jojo Moyes Exceptional will stay with me for a very long time Anita Rani Woman s Hour Heart shattering a sucker punch of a novel Pandora Sykes A modern classic Jenna Bush Hager Heartbreaking and yet brimful of hope Exceptional Mail on Sunday Brilliant one of those books that will make you irritable with anyone who interrupts you but which you ll finish wanting to press into the hands of a friend The Times Astonishing unique and incredibly moving The Names is a beautiful novel about the courage of a mother in the moment she names her child I know it will stay with me for a long time Jeanine Cummins Tanıtım Bülteninden