The Names: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

The Names is not a book with a twist around every corner but three paths, no many paths, maybe as many as 13 that take on the challenges of everyday life. You watch how the name given to one person, can affect the lives of so many. There is truly only one bad person in this novel and he is a shallow cruel man. The rest are well rounded characters that are very believable and could be living next door.

When I first started this book, I truly wasn’t a fan but I’m also not a quitter. Trying to keep 3 separate storylines straight was a struggle for me. The deeper I got into the book, I began to find it easier to keep them separate. I ended up really enjoying this book. The author did a wonderful job with the depth of the characters and how different each storyline evolved. I’m glad I stuck with it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The title says it all. A little hard to read because if the "names" it's all over the place. Found myself going back and re-reading in regards to what I was presently reading. A good read.

Well written but there should have been a warning on graphic spousal abuse.

What a unique, beautifully written book! The idea that what you name your child can result in three different trajectories in their lives is original and fascinating. She writes the lives of the children and their family in seven year intervals and at times I got the characters confused with their storyline but it was a joy to read this wonderfully written book!

This is a book about domestic violence. The format was definitely unique. I am having a very hard time deciding how I feel about this book. Make sure you read all the trigger warnings before reading.

This was a beautifully written and thought provoking book. It speaks to how trauma impacts us and those around us. It also addresses how our reactions and choices can alter the course of our lives,and those around us. Highly recommended.

The Names is a very unique premise which looks at how a name can change one's life. This book shows a family of characters and how the naming of a child could alter and change all of those characters lives. First off, there is domestic violence in this book. If that is a trigger or something that is uncomfortable for you to read, this will not be the book fore you.This book begins when Cora along with her nine year old daughter, Maia, take her newborn son to register his birth. Her husband, Gordon, is a doctor who is widely respected in their community but a tyrant and abuses Cora in their home. He expected his son to be named after him, but Cora makes a decision that alters all of their lives. She doesn't want her child to have his violent father's name. She wants something different for him.This book looks at violence in the home and the power of names. This book is told in 3 storyline/timelines where the character's lead different lives and have different future. This is such a unique and interesting premise. I loved the originality and how a name could change things for all involved. This is a powerful and thought provoking book. I believe that this book would make a very good book club selection as there is much to ponder and discuss due to the subject matter and storytelling.I believe that this is going to be a polarizing book. It wont be easy for some due to the domestic violence. There are some disturbing scenes. This book also does jump around a bit from name to name. How do our names define us? What power do they have? How does a name affect one's identity? What affect does domestic violence have on the family as a whole?