The Names by Florence Knapp is really a portrayal of a family based on naming a child. Each name starts a series of events that happen because of the name. Then every seven years we are shown another glimpse into the life of the family following the prior story line. The concept pulls the reader into the story wondering about each step of the story. The need to have closure on the story is in itself a tease of what might happen next.
I thought The Names by Florence Knapp is one of the best novels I have read. There needs to be a warning about spousal abuse. The consequences of what to name a child in a family with a rigid father is explored. What a wonderful concept, following a family through snippets of time based on what the younger son is named. Each snippet is labeled with a year and then each name that was considered. What is even more remarkable is that the book does not read disjointed with each name having its own story.
The Names by Florence Knapp defies an easy explanation of the book, but does not defy the quality of the story. The Names by Florence Knapp is a great read.
