The Book We Can’t Put Down: The Names by Florence Knapp

Say Hello to Your Summer Must-read

Socialising can wait, the kids can feed themselves, and the TV is on pause — life is on hold while I read this book.

Florence Knapp’s debut novel, The Names, has me completely hooked. Set in the aftermath of the 1987 Great Storm, it follows Cora, a woman trapped in a coercive marriage, as she sets off to register the birth of her baby boy. Her husband wants the child named after him — a tradition soaked in control — but at the registrar’s desk, Cora hesitates.

What follows is a brilliant Sliding Doors-style narrative that splinters into three alternate realities, depending on whether the baby becomes Bear, Julian, or Gordon. Each name carries weight, possibility, and consequence, and Knapp uses this deceptively simple premise to explore the ripple effects of domestic abuse, identity, and maternal courage over the next 35 years.

It’s tender, cleverly constructed, and at times gut-wrenching. The writing is layered but accessible, and Knapp handles dark themes with sensitivity and nuance. For me, this wasn’t just a story about names — it was about the power of small decisions and how they shape our futures in ways we never expect.

One of the most original and emotionally affecting novels I’ve read in a long time. One name. Three lives. Infinite impact.

The Names by Florence Knapp is out now (Phoenix, £16.99).