---
product_id: 578953623
title: "The Names: 'The best debut novel in years' Sunday Times"
price: "€ 20.31"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/578953623-the-names-the-best-debut-novel-in-years-sunday-times
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# 4.5/5 Star Rating Top 20 Bestseller Free Delivery Eligible The Names: 'The best debut novel in years' Sunday Times

**Price:** € 20.31
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 📖 Unlock the power of a name — the debut novel everyone’s talking about!

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- **What is this?** The Names: 'The best debut novel in years' Sunday Times
- **How much does it cost?** € 20.31 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
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## Key Features

- • **Exclusive Name Index:** Gain unique insight with a curated index explaining the meaning behind each character’s name.
- • **Deep Psychological Insight:** Explore how names shape identity, fate, and relationships through three compelling parallel stories.
- • **Masterclass in Storytelling:** Experience a debut novel hailed as 'the best in years' by Sunday Times, blending poetic prose with gripping narratives.
- • **Emotional & Thought-Provoking:** Dive into themes of domestic violence, trauma, and redemption with unforgettable characters.
- • **Critically Acclaimed Bestseller:** Ranked #19 in Books and #1 in Parenting & Relationships, proving its wide-reaching impact.

## Overview

The Names by Florence Knapp is a critically acclaimed debut novel exploring the profound influence of names on identity and destiny. Featuring three intertwined narratives set across decades, it combines poetic writing with deep psychological themes. With a 4.5-star rating from over 29,000 readers and top rankings in multiple book categories, this bestseller offers a fresh, emotionally rich reading experience complete with an exclusive name meaning index.

## Description

Buy The Names: 'The best debut novel in years' Sunday Times by Knapp, Florence (ISBN: 9781399624022) from desertcart's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Review: One of my books of the year - The Names is the debut novel from Florence Knapp and what an incredible debut it is. The concept is simple enough: do our names affect the person we become and influence the paths of our lives? Names used to be chosen very carefully for their meaning, although we don’t do that so much these days, perhaps hoping to imbue the child with the qualities of the name. Cora is in an abusive marriage and when she goes to register the birth of her son, she has three names to choose from. Her daughter, Maia, wants the baby to be called Bear, Cora favours Julian which means sky father but her husband Gordon wants the baby named after him. The story then splits into three parts and we follow the journey of boy to man, with each section showing an alternate version of life for each name choice, jumping forward seven years each time. Cora’s choice of name for her son has three different outcomes and leads to three very different lives for her, her son and Maia. Although the book is about the life of Bear/Julian/Gordon, I’d say it’s equally a very powerful exploration of controlling relationships and how they affect a family. It was so fascinating to read the three different scenarios and see where the lives diverged over the years or sometimes where they touched. Are the characters essentially the same, regardless of name or does it have a profound effect on their lives in so many ways? This book is so thought-provoking. Each variation of the life has its emotive, memorable and moving scenes. This is an amazing debut novel and Florence Knapp is without doubt a very talented writer. I found The Names utterly compelling, incredibly moving and very powerful. Without doubt, one of my books of the year.
Review: inventive, unsettling, and deeply moving - Florence Knapp’s debut novel, The Names, is a compelling exploration of how a single decision can change the course of an entire life. After the Great Storm of 1987, Cora goes to register her newborn son’s birth. Her husband, Gordon, insists on tradition, naming the boy after himself, but Cora hesitates. From that moment, Knapp spins three alternate timelines shaped by three different names: Bear, Julian, and Gordon. With remarkable dexterity, Knapp examines themes of identity, fate, family, and the limitless possibilities that can unfold from one choice. She also confronts the lasting impact of domestic violence and the ways its effects echo across generations. This inventive, unsettling, and deeply moving novel filled me with dread at times, yet it also offers moments of hope, beauty, and love. Knapp captures the warmth and wonder of human existence while weaving a story marked by tragedy, and ultimately bringing it together in a poignant, beautifully crafted ending.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | 23 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 1 in Partnership & Relationships 2 in Parenting (Books) 2 in Society, Politics & Philosophy |
| Customer reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (32,101) |
| Dimensions  | 16.2 x 3.2 x 24 cm |
| ISBN-10  | 1399624024 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-1399624022 |
| Item weight  | 590 g |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 352 pages |
| Publication date  | 6 May 2025 |
| Publisher  | Phoenix |

## Images

![The Names: 'The best debut novel in years' Sunday Times - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81mVIiEQ8cL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of my books of the year
*by P***E on 18 September 2025*

The Names is the debut novel from Florence Knapp and what an incredible debut it is. The concept is simple enough: do our names affect the person we become and influence the paths of our lives? Names used to be chosen very carefully for their meaning, although we don’t do that so much these days, perhaps hoping to imbue the child with the qualities of the name. Cora is in an abusive marriage and when she goes to register the birth of her son, she has three names to choose from. Her daughter, Maia, wants the baby to be called Bear, Cora favours Julian which means sky father but her husband Gordon wants the baby named after him. The story then splits into three parts and we follow the journey of boy to man, with each section showing an alternate version of life for each name choice, jumping forward seven years each time. Cora’s choice of name for her son has three different outcomes and leads to three very different lives for her, her son and Maia. Although the book is about the life of Bear/Julian/Gordon, I’d say it’s equally a very powerful exploration of controlling relationships and how they affect a family. It was so fascinating to read the three different scenarios and see where the lives diverged over the years or sometimes where they touched. Are the characters essentially the same, regardless of name or does it have a profound effect on their lives in so many ways? This book is so thought-provoking. Each variation of the life has its emotive, memorable and moving scenes. This is an amazing debut novel and Florence Knapp is without doubt a very talented writer. I found The Names utterly compelling, incredibly moving and very powerful. Without doubt, one of my books of the year.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ inventive, unsettling, and deeply moving
*by P***S on 23 January 2026*

Florence Knapp’s debut novel, The Names, is a compelling exploration of how a single decision can change the course of an entire life. After the Great Storm of 1987, Cora goes to register her newborn son’s birth. Her husband, Gordon, insists on tradition, naming the boy after himself, but Cora hesitates. From that moment, Knapp spins three alternate timelines shaped by three different names: Bear, Julian, and Gordon. With remarkable dexterity, Knapp examines themes of identity, fate, family, and the limitless possibilities that can unfold from one choice. She also confronts the lasting impact of domestic violence and the ways its effects echo across generations. This inventive, unsettling, and deeply moving novel filled me with dread at times, yet it also offers moments of hope, beauty, and love. Knapp captures the warmth and wonder of human existence while weaving a story marked by tragedy, and ultimately bringing it together in a poignant, beautifully crafted ending.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Read on one sitting... perfect
*by L***S on 31 October 2025*

I read this book in one sitting. I was totally compelled by the premise of the book, the reality of the characters and the rawness of the story. On finishing the book, I held it close to me and said 'wow'. The concept of the multiple lives it could be possible to live, because of the decisions we make, is something I've often though about. Knapp manages to weave the core elements of the characters humanity across each version of their lives. This book is so well written, so totally considered, leaving me incredibly emotional many times. This is one of the best books I have ever read; I like to give away book but this one I will keep and read again and again. Thank you for this stunning work

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*Product available on Desertcart Ireland*
*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-03-17*