At our October meeting, we discussed The Names, a debut novel by British author Florence Knapp.

This is a 'sliding doors' novel that explores how a single choice can branch into three completely different timelines. Mum, Cora, goes to register her newborn son's birth. She is in an abusive marriage with her domineering husband Gordon, who expects her to name the baby after him in a longstanding family tradition.

At the Registry office, Cora hesitiates and must choose between 3 names. Gordon ( as demanded by her husband), Julian (meaning sky father, her own choice,) and Bear (the choice of her 9 year old daughter).

The story splits into 3 parallel trajectories, exploring how the boy's life, identity and relationships unfold in each scenario. The novel examines nature versus nurture, coercive control and how subconscious associations with a name can act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. It may sound heavy, but was in fact a page turner for most of us. It led to a lively discussion about the importance of one's given name, as well the changing fashions in names.

At our next meeting on the 3rd November we will discuss .Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig

Future Reading

3rd November 2026 - Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF BOOK

1st December 2026 - Christmas lunch

2025