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The Names

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The Names

By: Florence Knapp
Narrated by: Dervla Kirwan
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About this listen

 A once-in-a-generation debut from a major new talent, The Names is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.
'I've just been blown away by the best debut novel in years . . . A genius idea for a book'
Sunday Times

'Wildly original and emotionally profound'
Observer

'An unadulterated success: moving, evocative and utterly convincing'
The Times

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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.

CHOSEN AS A SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY MAIL, RED, PRIMA, STYLIST and EVENING STANDARD BOOK OF 2025 | A READ WITH JENNA BOOKCLUB PICK

'A beautiful, heartwrenching, utterly original novel'
Miranda Cowley Heller

'The 2025 book that will be everywhere . . . One of those rare books that makes you glad to be alive'
Stylist

'Magnificent . . . Read it. It's very special'
Chris Whitaker

'Clever, beautiful and deeply moving'
Standard

'Beautifully written, and wise and tender . . . An utter original'
Jojo Moyes

'Exceptional . . . will stay with me for a very long time'
Anita Rani, Woman's Hour

'Heart-shattering . . . a sucker punch of a novel that I think will be one of the biggest books of the year'
Pandora Sykes

'A modern classic'
Jenna Bush Hager

'Heartbreaking and yet brimful of hope . . . Exceptional'
Mail on Sunday

'Brilliant . . . one of those books that will make you irritable with anyone who interrupts you, but which you'll finish wanting to press into the hands of a friend'
The Times

'Astonishing, unique and incredibly moving, The Names is a beautiful novel about the courage of a mother in the moment she names her child . . . I know it will stay with me for a long time'
Jeanine Cummins©2025 Florence Knapp (P)2025 Orion Publishing Group Limited Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking
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The Names by Florence Knapp is a deeply affecting, quietly powerful novel that stayed with me long after the final chapter.

It begins in 1987 as Cora, reeling from the aftermath of a great storm, faces a defining moment: naming her newborn son. What unfolds is a triptych of lives—Bear, Julian, and Gordon—each shaped not only by the name chosen, but by the reverberations of love, legacy, and identity within a family struggling against the shadows of control and expectation.

I am in awe at how the author handles this tender, emotionally charged premise with immense care. The narrative structure is not just a clever device; it’s a profound meditation on how identity is both inherited and imagined. Despite the weighty subject matter, there’s a resilience and hope woven through every chapter that makes this story soar.

The audiobook experience is elevated by Dervla Kirwan’s exceptional narration. She and her ability to shift tone, embody different characters, and convey layered emotion brings a remarkable depth to an already nuanced narrative. It’s a performance that enhances the story

A standout for anyone drawn to emotionally intelligent fiction that provides that something special. This is one that I’ll remember, and revisit.

My favourite listen of the year (so far!)

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What's in a name? What would happen if you were called something else entirely?

We meet Cora on the day she goes to register her new baby son, and follow her family's lives down three different - cataclysmic - paths.

A key theme throughout is the disturbing abuse Cora experiences at the hands of her "nice" GP husband. Each route they take sparks, in one way or another, from the three different names she chose for him that day in three alternate worlds: Bear, Julian, Gordon.

As someone who's been fascinated by names and the power they hold since I was a child, I absolutely devoured this. It's got everything I love in a novel. As well as the innovative "sliding doors" concept, it's beautifully written, got rounded characters with depth, moral dilemmas, power and justice, and a series of satisfying conclusions.

My book of the year so far, absolutely loved it.

My book of the year so far, absolutely loved it

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This is an intriguing twist on the usual sliding doors scenario - and it works, although the found the last few chapters less enthralling than the rest of the book - a great debut

Loved the concept

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I really liked the story, the narrator is perfect and easy to listen to. As a theme domestic abuse can be a hard listen and it is a little depressing at times but overall really interesting and thought provoking.

beautifully written

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The Names reminded me of both One Day and Life After Life - an interesting concept used to explore the impact of domestic violence on one family. A sensitive and compelling read

Inventive and emotional

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The Names is a quietly stunning novel that explores, with grace and precision, how we become what we are. Through three parallel lives shaped by a single naming decision, Florence Knapp presents a moving meditation on identity, resilience and the ripple effect of the choices we make—or that are made for us.

The themes of domestic abuse are portrayed with a realism that is both harrowing and deeply respectful, never gratuitous. But what lingers is the way Knapp draws attention to the small, seemingly inconsequential moments that can alter everything. It’s a narrative device, yes—but also a powerful reflection of real life.

This is a very special book: inventive in structure, emotionally intelligent, and rich with insight. It’s one I’ll return to—and recommend—often.

A very special book

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originality, different perspectives, good character development, a lesson in life. loved it and look forward to reading more from the author

loved this ❤️

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I really enjoyed this book. The idea is very interesting and different. It makes you think about the importance of a name. Very well read by Dervla Kerwin too, she has a lovely accent. I found listening to this very emotional, sad and joyful at times. Well recommended.

Very thought provoking

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Loved the book. A referral from a friend and didn’t disappoint. Look forward to more!

Clever, important and enduring

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Such an absorbing, thought provoking story. Beautifully read by Dervla. It’s in a “Sliding Doors “ style, but so original. This book will stay with me for a long time.

What’s in a Name?

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