The Names, by Florence Knapp

 

Recurring Characters
Atkin family: Dr. Gordon Cora Maia “Bees” Bear/Julian/Gordon – 9 years younger than Maia		Silbhe – Cora’s mother, husband deceased Cain – boyfriend later in life   Mehri – Cora’s friend Fern -daughter
Timeline and Occurrences
Bear – born 1987	Julian – born 1987		Gordon – born 1987
Gordon arrested for murder: Pushed Vilaan through door
Bear – 1994	Julian – 1994		Gordon – 1994
	Cora killed by Gordon Children in Ireland living with Silbhe		Father asks him to “tell” on Cora
Bear – 2001	Julian – 2001		Gordon – 2001
Met Lily Atkins in school Maia with Charlotte	Cain – Silbhe’s boyfriend Julian learns silversmithing from him Maia told Cain family history		Maia – doctor of homeopathy Cora and Gordon to medical conference
Bear – 2008	Julian – 2008		Gordon – 2008
To Jordon on archeological dig	Making and selling jewelry Meets Orla Maia – to medical school		Works with computers and numbers – in banking – job not respected by father or grandfather   Silbhe died – Gordon did not tell Cora – hid inheritance from her
Bear – 2015	Julian – 2015		Gordon - 2015
Lily shot in nightclub, was supposed to go with Bear	With Orla - pregnant Maia – comes out as gay		Lost everything due to drinking   Regretted treatment of Lily in high school – she became Human Rights lawyer   Cora left Gordon four times
Bear – 2022	Julian – 2022		Gordon – 2022
Bear and Lily married Pearl -daughter Bear stung in attic and died   Gordon married with new family	Two daughters with Orla   Maia told Julian family history   Maia with Meg		Filmed father abusing Cora Working in art museum   With Comfort – met in 2019 Ida - daughter

 

1.      Besides the names, what other factors influenced the different scenarios in the three stories?

2.      How did each of the names influence the person the character became?

3.      Discuss the other characters in the stories.  How were they influenced by Gordon’s abuse? 

4.      Why did Gordon go along with his father as a youngster while Maia saw what was happening?  Was it because of the age difference or were there other factors?

5.      Discuss Gordon’s (the father) relationship with his own father (the grandfather).  How did that shape his life?  Why do you think he was unable to treat his own son any differently?

6.      Do you think Cora’s friend, Mehi, suspected what was going on?  Was there anything she could do if she did?

7.      Do you think Cora’s story is typical of an abused spouse?  Is there any typical story?  What did you think about the statistic Maia said, that the average number of times a wife leaves is seven before she is able to fully escape?

8.      Discuss your reading experience.  Did you read straight through, or did you follow each individual story?

9.      Did you like the Epilogue ?

10.  Does your family have any names handed down through the generations?  Do you think that generally this would be an honor?

11.  Does your name have any particular meaning that you know of?

Did your name influence your personality? Do you know anyone whose name did influence who they became?