The Names

What’s in a name? – Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

The Names is a very unique premise which looks at how a name can change one’s life. This book shows a family of characters and how the naming of a child could alter and change all of those characters lives. First off, there is domestic violence in this book. If that is a trigger or something that is uncomfortable for you to read, this will not be the book fore you.

This book begins when Cora along with her nine year old daughter, Maia, take her newborn son to register his birth. Her husband, Gordon, is a doctor who is widely respected in their community but a tyrant and abuses Cora in their home. He expected his son to be named after him, but Cora makes a decision that alters all of their lives. She doesn’t want her child to have his violent father’s name. She wants something different for him.

This book looks at violence in the home and the power of names. This book is told in 3 storyline/timelines where the character’s lead different lives and have different future. This is such a unique and interesting premise. I loved the originality and how a name could change things for all involved. This is a powerful and thought provoking book. I believe that this book would make a very good book club selection as there is much to ponder and discuss due to the subject matter and storytelling.

I believe that this is going to be a polarizing book. It wont be easy for some due to the domestic violence. There are some disturbing scenes. This book also does jump around a bit from name to name. How do our names define us? What power do they have? How does a name affect one’s identity? What affect does domestic violence have on the family as a whole?

3.5 stars

TW: Domestic Violence

Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.