About this Event
This month our Evening Group is reading The Names by Florence Knapp.
It is 1987, and in the wake of a great storm, Cora sets out with her young daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband expects her to follow tradition and call the baby after him - but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? Her choice will shape the course of their lives.
Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, hoping he will grow up to be brave and big-hearted. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, keen for him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image - but is there still a chance to break the mould?
Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.
Praise for The Names:
- I've just been blown away by the best debut novel in years - Sunday Times
- I'm in AWE. Powerful, moving and beautiful
- Magnificent . . . Read it. It's very special
- A beautiful, heartwrenching, utterly original novel
- A truly gorgeous, heart-opening novel. I couldn't put it down
- Watch out for The Names. It's a big one
- Beautifully written, wise and tender . . . an utter original
About the author:
Florence Knapp has previously written a non-fiction book about a centuries-old method of quilt making, as well as contributing to a book for the V&A Museum. She lives just outside London with her husband and their dog. Their two children have now flown the nest. The Names is Florence's debut novel and will be published in more than thirty languages!!!
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Book Discussion Questions suggested by Publisher Hachette Australia
Info: 1. Do you think the cover accurately reflects the book? If so, how do you think it’s particularly evocative?
2. What did you think of the book being divided into three lives of Gordon, Julian and Bear? How did it affect your reading experience?
3. Have you read another book with a ‘sliding doors’ narrative? If so, how was The Names similar or different to it/them?
4. Was the prologue effective for you? What did you think of the illustrations at the start of each character’s story?
5. What genre would you describe The Names as fitting into? What novels would you compare it to? Delve into genre specifics if applicable
6. Did you find Florence Knapp’s depiction of the various settings authentic? Are any of the settings similar to or different from any places you’ve visited or lived in?
7. Name the core theme/s of The Names? Do you feel the author handles them effectively?
8. How do Gordon, Julian and Bear grow and change?
Event venue & nearby stays
Orange City Library, 147 Byng Street, Orange, Australia
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