The Names Audiobook By Florence Knapp cover art

The Names

A Novel

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The Names

By: Florence Knapp
Narrated by: Dervla Kirwan
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READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY | AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

“Dazzling. . . The Names is startlingly joyful. . . Knapp tirelessly and beautifully replicates not just loss and grief but endless rebirth and delight.”—The Washington Post

“Elegant. . . this is a wholly original work.”—People Magazine "Book of the Week"

“A magnificent novel, thrumming with life in all its pain and precariousness, yet suffused with the glorious possibilities of love and redemption.”—Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Horse

The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?

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.

With exceptional sensitivity and depth, Knapp draws us into the story of one family, told through a prism of what-ifs, causing us to consider the "one . . . precious life" we are given. The book’s brilliantly imaginative structure, propulsive storytelling, and emotional, gut-wrenching power are certain to make The Names a modern classic.

©2025 Florence Knapp (P)2025 Penguin Audio
Family Life Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring

Critic reviews

The Names is a truly gorgeous, heart-opening novel. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m grateful to have Cora and her children living inside my heart now. What a wonderful book!”—Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

“Beautiful, heart-wrenching, utterly original.”—Miranda Cowley Heller, New York Times bestselling author of The Paper Palace

“Knapp’s plotting is skillful, her tapestry of stories cleverly woven…The Names stands out as a compelling and original debut, a book that asks at least as many questions as it answers.”—The Guardian

Dear Listener,

What is the significance of a name?
"A name is one of the very first things we’re given in life, and growing up to exist within its mold can seem a curious thing. In many ways, our name says less about who we are, and more about our parents’ tastes, our family traditions, or is perhaps a nod to a particular aspiration, era, class, or culture. And yet it becomes inextricably bound to our sense of self. In The Names, I wanted to explore what it might be like to inherit a name from someone less deserving of that tribute. Or if tradition were bucked, to consider whether fate and chance might set that child on a very different course."– Florence Knapp, writer of The Names
Unique Concept • Beautiful Writing • Phenomenal Narration • Compelling Storytelling • Emotional Depth • Nuanced Delivery
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The book is well written but the literary device/structure made the book feel disjointed. As a result, it seemed like the author couldn't decide which path to take in multi-tined forked road she created. Because there were different versions of the same characters, none of them was sufficiently developed. I stuck it out through 2/3rds of the book and then gave up.

Character Confusion

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This novel is at the top of my reading list. A unique story written in a way I have not experienced. Character development is perfect and story that will stay with me for a long period of time. A must read.

Beautiful and disturbing story.

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Three different stories based on what a child is named. The back and forth among the stories was somewhat difficult to keep track of in the audio version.

What's in a Name

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interesting idea...how does a name shape who a person may become and how different their life may be if they have a different name

What's in a Name? Everything

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Such an incredible book. Loved the narration. Such a sad, beautiful, and creatively told story which is heartbreaking to know there are families going through this kind of trauma. Could not stop listening.

So heartbreaking / so beautiful

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Authors ability to make charter come alive with genuine thoughts emotions tenderness in love and sorrow and joy

Character development

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The artist is a beautiful writer. Very intelligently written and the ending was wonderful and surprising.

The unusual premise

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Using a device like this can really seem gimmicky, but I was pleasantly surprised by how effective it was in this case. Even though I got a little bit confused from time to time as to whose story I was in, I still was anxious to see how that particular version was working out. And be so in hopes of a happy ending in spite of everything. Warning: there are some hard to bear scenes of cruelty in this book. There was a time or two I thought I couldn’t go on. The pain was worth the satisfaction of the experience, however. I will now retreat to the safer space of a less immersive experience for my next book. A Scottish murder mystery will feel like a comedy after this.

I approached this title suspiciously, but came to really care about these characters

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Very creative with the three different realities that unfold based on a name of a child… I was intrigued through the entire story… heartbroken often and touched by tenderness

Hidden truth

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This book was a fascinating look at how names have power. A moving, sometimes disturbing novel, my interest never flagged and I could not wait to find what happened next in each scenario. Highly recommend.

So much in a name

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