The Names by Florence Knapp

It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and call the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates. Going against his wishes is a risk that will have consequences, but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? The choice she makes in this moment will shape the course of their lives.

Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerged. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, believing it will enable him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image – but is there still a chance to break the mould?

Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family, and love’s endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.

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There are some novels that you read because it’s the latest from a favourite author or because they come highly recommended, and there are some books that you read on a whim.  The Names was one such book for me.  I picked up a copy at this year’s Hay Festival although I unfortunately wasn’t able to attend the event, but I loved the premise, and with a signed copy being available, I thought it would be rude not to.  I’m so glad that I went with my gut in this instance – I absolutely loved it!

The Names has, on the surface, a simple premise.  Cora is taking her newborn son to register his birth and to give him a name.  The tradition in her husband’s family is to name the son after the father.  Her husband is Gordan, his father is Gordan, he expects his son to be called Gordan.  But Cora worries that continuing the tradition will mean that her son turns out like his father, and she doesn’t want that for him.  She doesn’t even like the name.  This decision prompts a forking-path narrative where we see how his life plays out through the three options available to Cora – Gordan, Julian (her own choice), or Bear, chosen by his sister to represent something cute and cuddly but also strong and brave.

I loved these three narratives and the way that this boy’s and, later, man’s life play out, influenced by Cora’s choice.  But it’s not just his story.  This decision influences Cora’s own life just as much, and to a slightly lesser extent that of his sister, Maia.  And there’s more to it than the name.  Bear and Julian represent an act of rebellion on Cora’s part, one that has immediate consequences for the family as Cora’s husband reacts violently, changing their lives in ways that I won’t spoil for you. 

As with any individual, each of the boy’s lives has its ups and down, but for me the most poignant and the hardest to read was that of Gordan in the life where Cora follows her husband’s expectations.  By respecting his wishes, Cora unintentionally distances herself from her son due to the guilt she feels at following on the family tradition.  It creates a them and us atmosphere between the two Gordans and Cora and Maia.  This rift means that, as a child, Gordan doesn’t grow up close to the women in his family, and so he doesn’t have the same level of respect for them.  It’s easy to dislike some of his behaviour, but I also couldn’t wait to see if and how he might redeem himself. 

The Names is an outstanding book, and I loved getting lost in the lives of Cora and her family.  It looks at the sacrifices we make for those closest to us, and touches upon the nature / nurture debate as we see this child grow up into different men.  It’s a little hard to read in places as it contains some scenes of domestic violence, but it does so with great sensitivity.  I can’t recommend this book enough, and it’s entirely possible that it will appear on my books of the year list come December. Assuming I actually post such a list this year, that is.