I couldn't believe The Names by @florenceknapp.bsky.social was a debut novel; it's just so perfectly executed. I gasped, I laughed, and at one point I cried so loudly my husband looked up from across the room and said, "It's that book, huh?" Highly recommend!
(TW: domestic violence)
131. The Names by @florenceknapp.bsky.social
Three versions of a life, and a family - utterly absorbing and deeply poignant debut novel.
What a gorgeous response - thank you so much, Nicole 💛.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it - thank you, Stephen.
This is lovely - thank you, Wade ☺️.
Thank you SO much, Gail. x
An agent hat trick :) So delighted for The Names to be included here.
The 12 best books of the year so far - chosen by the BBC
Happy to see Catherine Airey’s CONFESSIONS & Florence Knapp’s THE NAMES www.bbc.co.uk/culture/arti... @john-ash.bsky.social @florenceknapp.bsky.social
Thank you so much - I listened and was really touched by the recommendation. So grateful 🙏💛. x
Thank you, Mairéad :)
I read these essays several months ago and loved them - you might, too :)
I really enjoyed chatting with @nadineoregan.bsky.social for this piece in the Irish Times :)
Thank you, @chrisbohjalian.bsky.social, for this gorgeous review 💫.
I’m really delighted you enjoyed Dervla’s narration - I did too :)
Belatedly (I haven’t been on Bluesky for a while), but no less lovely 💫.
Thank you so much, Louisa. And sorry I’m coming to this so belatedly. x
Belatedly, thank you 💫
Belatedly, thank you for your absolutely lovely review - I’m so pleased you enjoyed reading. Florence x
I’m really sorry you have a personal connection to Cora’s story, but delighted you found hope in it, too. I love the title of your review. Florence x
Wonderful news - thank you so much. And amazed to find there’s an upgrade from the already-beautiful ribbon wrapping.
@bertsbooks.bsky.social I want to send a book as a gift and wondered if it’s possible to include a brief note with the order?
Quote card saying: ‘Tomorrow - if morning comes, if the storm stops raging - Cora will register the name of her son. Or perhaps, and this is her real concern, she'll formalise who he will become.’
Book cover of The Names by Florence Knapp, with tagline Your Life Will Change With #TheNames
Cora’s split-second decision regarding the name of her newborn son shifts her family's future into three different paths.
Three names, three versions of a life & the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.
@florenceknapp.bsky.social's THE NAMES is coming May 2025 geni.us/The_Names
Postage is free and the books arrive tied with a satin ribbon📚🎗️(and seeing this post was excellent timing, as the new Curtis Sittenfeld is now heading my way).
Claire! Thank you so much. And sorry for coming to this so late. x
And thank you so much, Kingsley, of the very best name emoji 💫.
I haven’t been on Bluesky for a few months, but opened it to find this gorgeous post waiting for me. Thank you so much, @bookishliv.bsky.social 🙏💛
👏
An awful photo (taken from a stepladder, with a stomach-churning fear of heights), but somehow this lone rose is still going at the end of November and miraculously survived Storm Bert where even a fence panel didn’t 💫🌸.
Sending love. x
That cat has the loveliest markings on its nose. The perfect accessory to show off your novel. x