Today's Featured Book:
The Names
by Florence Knapp
Genre: Fiction
Published: May 6, 2025
Page Count: 336 pages
Summary:
In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...
Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing.
Cora's mother always used to say children were whipped up by the wind, that even the quiet ones would come in after playtime made wild by it. Cora feels it in herself now, that restlessness...Because tomorrow---if morning comes, if the storm stops raging---Cora will register the name of her son. Or perhaps and this is her real concern, she'll formalize who he will become.
THE FRIDAY 56 is hosted by Anne of Head Full of Books. To play, open a book and turn to page 56 (or 56% on your e-reader). Find a sentence or two and post them, along with the book title and author. Then link up on Head Full of Books and visit others in the linky.
As the weeks passed, the bruise covering one side of Cora's face worked its way through a petrol puddle of colors until finally it paled to yellow, then faded into her skin.
.png)
The Names begins on the day Cora goes to register the official name of her newborn son. From this point the story branches out into three stories: one in which Cora chooses the name her abusive husband demands, one in which Cora selects a name of her own choosing, and one in which Cora defies her husband and picks a name she hopes will inspire her son to be his own person.
And the story builds from these three branches in seven-year-increments, from the consequences of the naming.
The purpose of THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, and befriend other bloggers. THE BOOK BLOGGER HOP is hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer.
May 23rd - 29th - A songwriter composes a song about your love for books. What would the song's title be? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)
"Books---I Will Always Love You"
Oh nice! I like that one!
ReplyDeleteHere's my BBH
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Something everyone wants to know: how would one decision change a whole llife?
ReplyDeleteI have this on my list at the library. Can't wait to get it. Funny how one decision can change the path your life takes. If I hadn't been stubborn and insisted on coming back to Florida during a divorce, I'd never have met my husband. Next month we will be married 41 years.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think of how small decisions can have big consequences.
DeleteThis one sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThis book is getting a lot of attention and I'm curious to see how you like it. My mom is currently reading it, so I'll add it to my stacks for later this year.
ReplyDeleteWell The Names sounds like an absolutely fascinating book. Have you ever read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. There is a lot of redoing/resetting life with one small change, hopefully for the better but not always so.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Groundhog Day, and I enjoyed Life After Life very much. This is similar.
DeleteThat's an interesting concept for a novel!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
That sounds like a fascinating book. Who knew that a name held so many possibilities?!
ReplyDeleteA great song title choice!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/05/23/book-blogger-hop-song-title-about-your-love-of-books/
That book sounds rather sad.
ReplyDeleteI really like your song title!! Perfect!!
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy The Names? It sounds good.
Yes, I'd love to hear what others think about The Names.
DeleteSuch a fascinating premise for a book, it sounds excellent.
ReplyDeleteA unique and thought-provoking premise.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a novel that would keep readers hooked!
Oh this sounds good if a difficult read. I look forward to seeing what you think of the book as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading The Names soon, Deb. I hope you enjoyed it. My song title would be "I wanna read my boooook...." by the Beatles.
ReplyDelete