The Names by Florence Knapp

I rarely discuss the reading books that I’m enjoying, I tend to keep my thoughts to myself. In recent years, I’ve protected my enjoyment of reading due to being bombarded with third parties’ opinions about ‘must read’ books that failed to hold my interest. This resulted in me entering a lengthy reading lull that quashed my lifelong love of reading. Now, I only read what I intrigues me. The Names is one such book.
 
The book blurb from Amazon reads:
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.
 
A definite page turner which I can relate to. Going through life, I’ve had various nicknames and versions of my name used by specific people. I’ve also had names that I couldn’t relate to and didn’t use. There have been folks, who continued to address me by using these unused names as if maintaining a mini protest to my personal choice – seventeen years was the longest protest! The relationships that I’ve trusted the most have used the same name and as life has gone by, I’ve even noticed some people never say my name. They simply stare at me, gain my attention and then speak. Those are the folk that when occasion forces them to say my name make it sound like a concrete breeze block jammed between their dentures! I can never unhear how they pronounce the name which I love.  
 
When I was teaching in secondary schools, I used to teach Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ which was a delight, as pupils gained the confidence to discuss the themes and motivations within the play.  I dearly miss teaching my lesson around Juliet’s speech and the lively debates that occurred:
 
O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy:
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague? It is nor hand nor foot
Nor arm nor face nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O be some other name.
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
 
The pupils would launch into listing their ideal names, nick names and the relationships they encountered through versions of their own name. The love or hatred that can be attached and upheld for a certain name based on experience – no, amounting of debate could change those steadfast on disliking what they disliked. 
 
And so, this reading book has struck a chord with me as the plot weaves between the three names Gordon, Julian and Bear – each name providing a very different life for one tiny child. I’m half way through and yet, I know I’ll be slowing my reading pace as I reluctantly reach the end.

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