2.8k reviews for:

The Names

Florence Knapp

4.31 AVERAGE

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

All I have been hearing lately is how amazing this book is. It holds up - it feels so original and is very beautifully done. However, it is also very dark, sometimes violent, and often hard to read. 

Cora has a daughter, Maia, and has just given birth to her son. Her (very) abusive husband Gordon has made it clear that he expects the boy to be named after him, carrying on the family tradition. The book follows the family in seven year increments and how their lives change depending on which of three names Cora chooses for the baby: Gordon, Julian, or Bear. 

Knapp's writing is an excellent example of showing and telling working well together. At times, what she leaves unsaid is even louder than the words on the page. She describes around things so beautifully, that when she chooses to be blunt and direct, it feels like a slap (quite apt given the violence in the book). 

My feelings are hurt, my mind is a little blown, and I don't know how I will ever cope with the pressure of naming a child after having read this. Also, you should read it.

There are a lot of potential triggers in this book so I recommend doing some googling before diving in but I want to flag that there are some very graphic scenes involving domestic violence. 
dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Graphic domestic violence scene in the second chapter, just not my cup of tea 
emotional reflective sad medium-paced
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was book was incredibly written and so emotional. I didn’t know I could cry for so many different reasons during a book. Every character and their journey was beautifully and thoughtfully written. This book had me reflecting on all the people I could have been and could be. 
challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark hopeful tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes