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.
26 Comments
StephLove
I got this for Christmas so I didn’t read your whole review.
J
I really liked this one, I hope you enjoy it!
Lisa's Yarns
This book made my best books list for 2025. The narrative structure was so interesting and well-done but it is a HARD READ. I didn’t recommend it broadly for that reason as you have to be able to stomach the horrific abuse the wife endures… I’m glad it worked for you, though! And it’s good to put a spoiler warning in, even though those incidents happen early in the book!
J
I really enjoyed this book, I’m glad it was one of your best books.
Ernie
What an interesting format for a book. It sounds really intriguing. I’ve seen other bloggers mention that they like it. I’ll add it yo my list of SO MANY BOOK, SO LITTKE TIME. 😉
Pat
I just finished this book and loved it. I thought it was a very clever concept and so well written. But yes, there were some very tough to read parts.
J
I’m glad you loved it!
J
SO LITTLE TIME is right, especially with a big family like yours!
Margaret
It was an interesting read and elicited a good Book Club discussion. I’m still not sure how I felt about the book.
J
It was rough!
Diane
I just stayed up last night until 4am to finish reading this book. It was so compelling, and I just really wanted to know how all these people turned out. I don’t love violence in books, especially violence against women, so that part wasn’t great for me. But it’s an essential part of the story and really informs the paths that everyone takes.
This book really make me think about how we can make choices about the kind of person we want to be in life.
Also – interestingly, the cover on my Libby copy is different. I always think it’s so interesting when books have different covers depending on where/ how they are released. This cover makes more obvious sense to the story than the one I had.
J
My Libby cover was different too, but I liked this one more.
I’m glad you were compelled to read, though I don’t think I would stay up until 4 for any book these days.
Suzanne
I liked this one a lot. Glad it was a good read for you!
J
It was really good, wasn’t it?
Allison McCaskill
I loved it – one of my favourites of last year. So insightful and imaginative and warm and bittersweet.
J
Totally bittersweet!
Jacquie
This was one of my favourites from 2025. Inventive and interesting way to tell the story that landed well.
J
I love seeing all of these ‘I loved it’ comments!
Daria
I read this when I saw that Lisa recommended it. So heavy but also uplifting at times. One of my favorite books in 2025.
J
The ending was interesting, right?
NGS
People like this book so much, but I definitely think I’m too sensitive a reader for it. *sigh* Why do I have to be like this?
J
It’s important to know yourself, Engie! Don’t read it if it’s not for you.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Another book that is interestingly written. What an intruiging concept.
Not sure I put on my TBR but if it pops again its a sign.
J
I hope it pops again, I think you would like it.
PocoBrat
I JUST put this on my list based on someone’s rec, and yours reinforces my decision!
J
It’s good, I hope you like it!