The Names

The Names ~ Florence Knapp

1987 England – Cora Atkin is an Irish woman living with her British husband, Gordon, their 9 year old daughter, Maia, and their newborn son. When she goes to the Registry office to register her baby’s birth, she is confronted with the task of naming him. Gordon has always assumed that their first son would be named for him, and his father. Cora hates the name, and does not want her son to be like her husband and father in law. She likes the name Julian, which means ‘sky father’, which to her means that her baby would rise above the horrible examples of her husband and FIL. Maia likes the name Bear, because bears are both strong and cuddly.

The Names splits into three stories. One where she names her baby Bear, one where she names him Julian, and one where she names him Gordon. The results are quick and dramatic. Spoiler alert now, though only for the immediate results of her decision.

Bear – First we see the absolute shit show that occurs when she names her baby Bear. She knows there will be trouble, so she sends Maia to a friend’s house for tea, and hides the baby in the closet. When Gordon comes home, she tells him that their baby is named Bear, and he immediately becomes violent, beating her severely. She calls for help, and a new neighbor comes to her aid. Gordon pushes the neighbor through the glass sliding door, killing him.

Julian – Next is Cora’s choice for a name, Julian. In this timeline, she makes Gordon’s favorite meal, lasagne, and she and Maia decorate the house and mollify Gordon with flattery and praise. Cora comes to the realization that her daughter is already adept at watching for danger signs in her father, and avoiding violence. She does not want this for Maia, and vows to take her children and leave the marriage.

Gordon – Cora follows her husband’s decision and names the baby Gordon. She feels weak for this decision, and worries that the baby will grow up to be like his father. She feels estranged from her new baby, and has trouble accepting and loving him.

From here we come forward in 7 year increments, tracing the different lives led by Cora, Maia, and Bear/Julian/Gordon. Certain aspects are the same, but others are starkly different. Different careers, different relationships, different personalities. I loved this book, and recommend it highly, though of course with the descriptions of domestic violence, it is not for everyone.