The Names

A once-in-a-generation debut from a major new talent, The Names is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. <BR>THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER<BR><BR>'I've just been blown away by the best debut novel in years . . . A genius idea for a book'<BR> Sunday Times<BR><BR> 'Wildly original and emotionally profound'<BR> Observer<BR><BR> 'An unadulterated success: moving, evocative and utterly convincing'<BR> The Times<BR><BR>OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>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? <BR><BR>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. <BR><BR> A BOOK OF THE YEAR IN THE SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, INDEPENDENT, IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY, COSMOPOLITAN AND MANY MORE | A READ WITH JENNA AND HAPPY PLACE BOOKCLUB PICK<BR><BR> 'The viral literary hit'<BR> Grazia<BR><BR> 'A beautiful, heartwrenching, utterly original novel'<BR> Miranda Cowley Heller<BR><BR> 'One of those rare books that makes you glad to be alive'<BR> Stylist<BR><BR> 'Magnificent . . . Read it. It's very special'<BR> Chris Whitaker<BR><BR> 'Beautifully written, and wise and tender . . . An utter original'<BR> Jojo Moyes<BR><BR> 'Exceptional . . . will stay with me for a very long time'<BR> Anita Rani, Woman's Hour<BR><BR> 'Heart-shattering . . . a sucker punch of a novel'<BR> Pandora Sykes<BR><BR> 'A modern classic'<BR> Jenna Bush Hager<BR><BR> 'Heartbreaking and yet brimful of hope . . . Exceptional'<BR> Mail on Sunday<BR><BR> 'Brilliant . . . one of those books that will make you irritable with anyone who interrupts you, but which you'll finish wanting to press into the hands of a friend'<BR> The Times<BR><BR> 'Astonishing, unique and incredibly moving, The Names is a beautiful novel about the courage of a mother in the moment she names her child . . . I know it will stay with me for a long time'<BR> Jeanine Cummins