The Names by Florence Knapp - discussion thread (with Spoilers)

[elkiedee]

I'm sure this isn't the only discussion thread started for this book, but I'm opening a new one as a lot of people are reading it just now. I'm not sure how much I remember already but maybe a good chat about it will refresh my memory.

Spoilers and links to other Mumsnet reading threads welcome.

Signing in!

Liked it. Clever book.

Listening on Audible now. It’s such a unique premise, completely addictive.

Beware of spoilers here if you haven't finished it!

I’m about halfway through. Fingers in ears lalala

I'm listening to it on Audible too. It's an intriguing book. Can't decide if I feel empowered by it or depressed it. .The idea that we have a core personality but bits of that personality can be strengthened or weakened by what goes on around us.

Just finished it! Loved it. Not sure which ‘Gordon’ was the best, each won and lost and lived in such a different way.
Are we allowed spoilers? If not, look away…
I found the final Cora so sad and also so frustrating. I found it frustrating that none of the Coras ‘saved’ themselves.

Spoilers is right there in the title so yes :)

A few of us have recently read this for various book clubs and wanted to discuss freely.

ETA I read it in September but have a book club coming up so need to refresh my memory a bit!

Yes! This was exactly my feeling. I was deeply frustrated that Cora was only ever saved and both times by a man.

Huge spoiler alert!

I found it frustrating that all the boys had these pretty unbelievable redemption arcs and happy endings of one kind or another. Bear became perfect husband and father. Julian needed a couple of pep talks from Maia and 2 days in bed to recover from a lifetime of trauma and become a good husband and father. Gordon needed a car accident, a chat with his AA mentor, and a quick chat with Maia to convert him from a little shit to a saviour. I would have been OK with it if we had also had an arc where things didn't turn out ok for him and Maia. Perhaps they got taken into care or perpetuated the cycle of abuse themselves, or had a mental breakdown. As it is, it's almost like a fairy tale - bad things happen but everyone lives happily ever after at the end.

Not to say I didn't like it. I thought the concept was interesting and the fact that abuse follows you and shapes you and your future life no matter how early you escape. I found the Cora in the Gordon arc the most moving. That scene at the dentist made me so sad because she was so lost.

I just found the endings too neat and tidy. Real life is messier than that and it even made me a little angry that it tried to say it wasn't. Victims of abuse deserve better than something saying 'but it all turns out fine in the end'.

Started it late very last night. Finished it this afternoon. This book has reignited my love of reading. I almost wish I had never read it so I could read it anew and afresh. I was absolutely glued to the pages. It’s as devastating as it is life-affirming. I have a LOT of shit going on in my life but I feel buoyed by having read this.