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A Novel
by Florence Knapp
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.
"This noteworthy debut explores a sobering topic with creativity, cleverness, and care... the boldness and thoughtfulness of Knapp's plotting add complexity and a welcome unpredictability...inviting the reader to think about not just the ripple effects of a single decision and the workings of an abusive family but also about a profound and classic concern of fiction: How things we can control in life interact with things we could never have seen coming." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Intriguing and nuanced…Readers won't be able to stop talking about this intelligent exploration of a single choice's long tail of repercussions." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Compelling [and] emotionally wrenching...In clear, compelling prose, Knapp delicately builds a layered story about fate, free will, trauma, and hope...Both devastating and hopeful, this novel and its characters will linger with readers long after they finish the last page." —Booklist (starred review)
"The Names mesmerizes with writing that is both visceral and beautifully crafted, containing something of the timeless quality of...Claire Keegan. Knapp's economical language delivers powerful, full-bodied imagery that captures the stakes for the characters in every line. Masterfully working with all three timelines, Knapp presents a complex and deeply affecting story, at once heartrending and hopeful."
—BookPage (starred review)
"This parallel-narrative story will be popular with readers of literary fiction and women's fiction. Fans of Sue Miller and Jacquelyn Mitchard will also enjoy." —Library Journal
"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
"A tour de force... truly mesmerizing and profound. Knapp crafts a world where names are keys that can unlock the truth about who we are and who we can become. At once haunting and revelatory, The Names is a brilliant exploration of the choices that define our lives." —Alison Espach, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding People
This information about The Names was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Florence Knapp has previously written a non-fiction book about a centuries-old method of quilt making, as well as contributing to a book for the Victoria & Albert Museum. She lives just outside London with her husband and their dog. Their two children have now flown the nest. The Names is Knapp's debut novel and will be translated into more than twenty languages.
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