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emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very clever way to explore impact of childhood trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting
Like any book with strong themes of abuse, it was very painful and difficult to read at times, but it is simultaneously balanced by writing that captures the silliness and depth and growing up of life. While there were a handful of moments that felt a bit cheesy or the meaning of the names obvious, it was a beautifully winding emotional journey. I felt the feels and was so happy I read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I loved the structure of following three different realities and dipping into the same timeframe in each one. The stories are all incredibly sad and weighted with the past even when the characters are living through good things.
Also this is my first time reading a book with an anti-AI disclosure at the end! This should be totally unnecessary and I'm frustrated that it's relevant.
Also this is my first time reading a book with an anti-AI disclosure at the end! This should be totally unnecessary and I'm frustrated that it's relevant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Suicide
I was taken in by the premise of this book, but the different names aren’t the main reason for the difference in life outcomes. Instead, the father of the boy is an incredibly violent man who attempts to kill his wife for choosing a name that’s not his name. In one storyline he succeeds, in another he fails and is sent to jail. The violence is the reason for the different paths, not the name, and I wish I hadn’t had to read that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
This was so well written. It just opened some trauma wounds I didn’t realize weren’t fully healed and for own purposes I need to pause for now. I am try to revisit in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Enjoyment/Appreciation Level: A new all-time fave... !!!!!
Summary:
Cora gives birth at home during a storm and a couple of days later has to go register her newborn son's name. Her daughter, Maia, is 9 years old and Cora has been stuck in a wildly abusive marriage for her daughter's entire life.
Her oppressive, controlling husband, Gordon, comes from a long line of oppressive, controlling Gordons and expects his son to be Gordon as well. Cora doesn't want to name her son after her husband, however. She likes the name Julian, while her daughter thinks Bear would be a fun name for her new brother.
We follow throughout their lives in three different versions of their story; one where the child is named Bear, one where he is named Julian, and one where he is named Gordon. In each version Cora, her son, Maia, and the friends & family surrounding them are forever altered by their experiences and how these choices shape their lives.
Themes:
Domestic abuse. Nature vs nurture. Childhood trauma. Substance abuse. The meaning of life.
TL;DR:
Well I fucking loved this. My god. MY GOD! It has some heavy moments (domestic abuse shown on page), but as someone who has lived through an abusive relationship I personally thought it was handled well and it never felt like trauma for the sake of trauma. This story HIT ME HARD in the feels -- I couldn't stop feeling choked up and crying for the last 75ish pages... heartbreaking... heartwarming... just a beautiful story, to me.
Writing:
Lovely writing style. Some truly heart-wrenching lines that were full of beauty and LIFE.
Characters:
I'm going to actually start crying again thinking about Bear, MY GODDDDD WHAT THE FUCCCKKKK FLORENCE KNAPP!!!!!!
Each version of this boy felt like a different character, to a point. And that's what I think was lovely -- he was definitely shaped differently due to the different ways his childhood played out... but at his core he was the same person, deep down.
And the people around him also shifted and became different versions of themselves due to the choices made and how these things affected them.
I'm literally on the verge of tears thinking about Bear, Julian, and Gordon. And where the stories went... UGH I want to re-read it again right now honestly.
Gordon's story was the most difficult to read. It was the most difficult scenario for everyone involved and it was so fucking SAD... but I really enjoyed how it ended.
Plot/Pacing:
I've seen some reviews stating that the way the story is told felt confusing and was hard to follow -- I didn't have that issue, but I also did pretty much read it in one sitting so that may have helped. I loved seeing how side characters fit in to each story... LILY!!!!!! I SEE YOU LILY!!!!!!!
I will say that my one real qualm with this book, is the epilogue. I don't think it was necessary and whenever I re-read this I'll probably just skip it.
Memorable Quotes/Standout Moments:
Everything?!?!?!
Summary:
Cora gives birth at home during a storm and a couple of days later has to go register her newborn son's name. Her daughter, Maia, is 9 years old and Cora has been stuck in a wildly abusive marriage for her daughter's entire life.
Her oppressive, controlling husband, Gordon, comes from a long line of oppressive, controlling Gordons and expects his son to be Gordon as well. Cora doesn't want to name her son after her husband, however. She likes the name Julian, while her daughter thinks Bear would be a fun name for her new brother.
We follow throughout their lives in three different versions of their story; one where the child is named Bear, one where he is named Julian, and one where he is named Gordon. In each version Cora, her son, Maia, and the friends & family surrounding them are forever altered by their experiences and how these choices shape their lives.
Themes:
Domestic abuse. Nature vs nurture. Childhood trauma. Substance abuse. The meaning of life.
TL;DR:
Well I fucking loved this. My god. MY GOD! It has some heavy moments (domestic abuse shown on page), but as someone who has lived through an abusive relationship I personally thought it was handled well and it never felt like trauma for the sake of trauma. This story HIT ME HARD in the feels -- I couldn't stop feeling choked up and crying for the last 75ish pages... heartbreaking... heartwarming... just a beautiful story, to me.
Writing:
Lovely writing style. Some truly heart-wrenching lines that were full of beauty and LIFE.
Characters:
I'm going to actually start crying again thinking about
Each version of this boy felt like a different character, to a point. And that's what I think was lovely -- he was definitely shaped differently due to the different ways his childhood played out... but at his core he was the same person, deep down.
And the people around him also shifted and became different versions of themselves due to the choices made and how these things affected them.
I'm literally on the verge of tears thinking about Bear, Julian, and Gordon. And where the stories went... UGH I want to re-read it again right now honestly.
Gordon's story was the most difficult to read. It was the most difficult scenario for everyone involved and it was so fucking SAD... but I really enjoyed how it ended.
Plot/Pacing:
I've seen some reviews stating that the way the story is told felt confusing and was hard to follow -- I didn't have that issue, but I also did pretty much read it in one sitting so that may have helped. I loved seeing how side characters fit in to each story... LILY!!!!!! I SEE YOU LILY!!!!!!!
I will say that my one real qualm with this book, is the epilogue. I don't think it was necessary and whenever I re-read this I'll probably just skip it.
Memorable Quotes/Standout Moments:
Everything?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Homophobia, Murder
Minor: Addiction
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4⭐
Lit Fic
Thank you PRH Audio for the #gifted copy! 🎧 **CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS**
Read if you like:
💐Magical Realism
💐Family Aspects
💐Book Club Books
💐Character Driven
This was so unique, I have never read anything else like this😊 I loved the emotional tie throughout all sets of the story. Its layered, deep, and brings ideas up in regard to generational thoughts/trauma. This was very heavy to read at times at it does surround the topic of domestic abuse, but I think it was an important part of the story, the timelines, and names.⚠️ Have you ever thought about the trajectory of your life due to your name? Such an interesting idea!❤️
My only if's is that this was quite slow paced and maybe because I listened to it, it just did not give it that 5-star quality for me. Maybe the physical would be different!
The writing was beautiful and I am shocked that this is a debut! I will keep reading anything from this author.
EN ESPANOL: Esto fue tan único😊Me encantó el vínculo emocional a lo largo de todos los conjuntos de la historia. Es en capas, profundo y plantea ideas en relación con los pensamientos/traumas generacionales. A veces fue muy pesado de leer ya que trata del tema del abuso doméstico, pero creo que fue una parte importante de la historia, de las líneas de tiempo y de los nombres.⚠️ ¿Alguna vez has pensado en la trayectoria de tu vida debido a tu nombre? ¡Es una idea tan interesante! Mi única objeción es que esto fue bastante lento y quizás porque lo escuché, simplemente no me dio esa calidad de 5 estrellas. ¡Quizás la versión física sería diferente! La escritura fue hermosa y estoy sorprendido de que esto sea un debut. ❤️Seguiré leyendo cualquier cosa de este autor.
Lit Fic
Thank you PRH Audio for the #gifted copy! 🎧 **CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS**
Read if you like:
💐Magical Realism
💐Family Aspects
💐Book Club Books
💐Character Driven
This was so unique, I have never read anything else like this😊 I loved the emotional tie throughout all sets of the story. Its layered, deep, and brings ideas up in regard to generational thoughts/trauma. This was very heavy to read at times at it does surround the topic of domestic abuse, but I think it was an important part of the story, the timelines, and names.⚠️ Have you ever thought about the trajectory of your life due to your name? Such an interesting idea!❤️
My only if's is that this was quite slow paced and maybe because I listened to it, it just did not give it that 5-star quality for me. Maybe the physical would be different!
The writing was beautiful and I am shocked that this is a debut! I will keep reading anything from this author.
EN ESPANOL: Esto fue tan único😊Me encantó el vínculo emocional a lo largo de todos los conjuntos de la historia. Es en capas, profundo y plantea ideas en relación con los pensamientos/traumas generacionales. A veces fue muy pesado de leer ya que trata del tema del abuso doméstico, pero creo que fue una parte importante de la historia, de las líneas de tiempo y de los nombres.⚠️ ¿Alguna vez has pensado en la trayectoria de tu vida debido a tu nombre? ¡Es una idea tan interesante! Mi única objeción es que esto fue bastante lento y quizás porque lo escuché, simplemente no me dio esa calidad de 5 estrellas. ¡Quizás la versión física sería diferente! La escritura fue hermosa y estoy sorprendido de que esto sea un debut. ❤️Seguiré leyendo cualquier cosa de este autor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse