erinofthehills 's review for:

The Names by Florence Knapp

5.0

emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

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I was gifted a prepublication copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a review but this does not effect my thoughts. It is not often these days that a book brings me to tears but this one sure did! What a fascinating idea that something so ordinary (yet extraordinary) as one's name could make such a difference in the course of one's life! I was so pleased with the arc provided for each of the names though the Gordon one certainly had me wanting to throw the book across the room a few times (I recognize this was likely the author's intent). A beautiful story of family bonds and the complexities of abusive relationships and the ripples they cause across lives. Highly recommend but heed the content warnings! Especially if you have experienced any similar trauma in your own life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Alcohol

Minor: Vomit, Medical trauma, Pregnancy