Florence Knapp
Personal Information
Description
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 Victoria & Albert Museum. She lives just outside London with her husband and their dog. Their two children have now flown the nest. The Names is Knapp's debut novel and will be translated into more than twenty languages. Author photo © Sophie Davidson (Source)
Books
The Names
The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life? 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.