Second Saturday Book Club: The Names

The Second Saturday Book Club for adults alternates between different genres throughout the year and meets on the second Saturday morning each month at the Goshen Library to chat about the current book.  August’s selection is The Names by Florence Knapp. You can pick up a copy of the book at your preferred branch once you register. Registration required (see below). Please add a note to your registration if you don’t need a copy of the book. If you have any questions, please email Brian at [email protected].  Coffee and snacks provided.

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register the birth of her son. Her husband, Gordon, respected in the community but a controlling presence at home, intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and name the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates….
Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of their lives, shaped by Cora’s last-minute choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities for autonomy and healing.
Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the “one … precious life” we are given. 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. It is the story of one family and love’s endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.