The Names by Florence Knapp

 

The impact a decision can make can not be underestimated. This fact is proven in The Names by Florence Knapp.

Dora is a young mother that is tasked with registering the name of her new baby boy. Her abusive husband wants the child named after him as is the family custom. Dora does not want her child to become the monster her husband is and wants his name to be his own so he can create his own path without the shadow of his forefathers. The Names is a tale of three different scenarios for this young child, and for the rest of the family, based on three different names he could be given. 

I really liked The Names. While I don't think the actual name really mattered, it was the decision to follow what the abusive husband wanted or to do something different. What would be the ramifications of those decisions. It is a sad book in many ways, especially for anyone that has been in or known someone that has been in an abusive relationship. It is so well written. I would recommend The Names to readers that have an open mind for a different approach in telling the story. Also for those that enjoy books on what could be reality in fiction format.