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challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5 stars. Great writing. Great premise. Confusing execution. Really hard to follow the audiobook despite excellent narration. Check trigger warnings (heavy on domestic abuse).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 Stars for The Names by Florence Knapp. Small decisions can have big consequences.
The story begins with a small decision: Cora needs to register her newborn sons's name. Her husband, Gordon—a respected doctor—insists the baby be named after him to continue his family legacy. But Cora fears her son will become like his father—an abusive man who hides his toxic nature. She thinks this is her one chance to change the course of her son’s life. She contemplates "Bear" (to make him strong and kind), or "Julian" (Sky father, hoping to honor her husband).
This single decision splinters into three possible futures, over 35 years. The novel masterfully examines how identity, fate, and personal choices intertwine and shows how the power a name might define who a person is.
This was a tough read. TW for domestic abuse.
The story begins with a small decision: Cora needs to register her newborn sons's name. Her husband, Gordon—a respected doctor—insists the baby be named after him to continue his family legacy. But Cora fears her son will become like his father—an abusive man who hides his toxic nature. She thinks this is her one chance to change the course of her son’s life. She contemplates "Bear" (to make him strong and kind), or "Julian" (Sky father, hoping to honor her husband).
This single decision splinters into three possible futures, over 35 years. The novel masterfully examines how identity, fate, and personal choices intertwine and shows how the power a name might define who a person is.
This was a tough read. TW for domestic abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very original story of a family and the different paths each might have taken. There are graphic scenes of domestic violence. The characters were a little black and white for me. I would have liked a little nuance, but I sped through the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse