53 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the depiction of physical and emotional abuse.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Which of the three narratives—Bear’s, Julian’s, or Gordon Jr.’s—resonated with you most, and why?
2. How did you feel about Cora’s character? Did you find her relatable, frustrating, or inspiring?
3. Did the novel’s structure (alternating narratives every seven years) enhance or detract from your reading experience?
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Has your life been significantly shaped by a seemingly small decision? Would you have chosen differently if you had foreseen the ramifications of your choice?
2. When Bear’s teacher asks how he would define himself in relation to another person, he realizes others may perceive him as “the murderer’s son” (99). Is there a person in your life whose character, actions, or profession influences how others view you? How do you feel about that association?
3. How have you witnessed generational cycles in your own life or that of people around you?
4. Did you have any sympathy for Gordon Sr. in his dying moments? Have you ever found yourself feeling sympathy for someone who you otherwise found to be an unsympathetic person?
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. In what ways does the novel challenge or reinforce traditional ideas about masculinity, especially through the depiction of Bear, Julian, and Gordon Jr.?
2. What does The Names reveal about the dynamics of domestic violence and how society responds to abuse within the home? Do you think the author handled this topic sensitively?
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. What techniques does Knapp use to create three distinctive narratives while also employing repetition? How successful is the author in creating three equally engaging storylines?
2. What did you make of the tone throughout the novel? Was it bleak, inspirational, or something else entirely?
3. What is the symbolic significance of naming in this novel? How far do names shape the characters’ identities and destinies?
4. How do the novel’s themes, such as The Large Impact of Small Choices, The Effects of Domestic Abuse, and Breaking Free From Generational Cycles, create coherence across three different narratives?
5. Compare The Names to other multiverse or parallel-lives stories (e.g., Kate Atkinson’s Life After Life, or The Midnight Library by Matt Haig). What do they have in common, and what sets Knapp’s novel apart?
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. Cora dislikes how the name Gordon “starts with a splintering sound that makes her think of cracked boiled sweets, and then ends with a thud like someone slamming down a sports bag” (1). Is there a name that has a similar effect on you? If so, sketch the images it conjures up.
2. Write a paragraph describing a fourth narrative in the novel based on a name of your choosing. How would this narrative diverge from the other three?
Need more conversation starters? Inspire your group with our Discussion Questions tool.
Art
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Marriage
View Collection
Nature Versus Nurture
View Collection
Popular Book Club Picks
View Collection
Safety & Danger
View Collection
Sexual Harassment & Violence
View Collection
The Best of "Best Book" Lists
View Collection