Booksology A name like Julian pays homage to the father without dooming the baby to be just like him. Julian means “father of the sky”. When Cora asks Maia what the baby’s name is, she says Bear. A name that conveys strength and warmth. But with three more opinions, what name will Cora choose for her son? The decision she makes will change everything in their lives and inform the kind of person her son will grow up to be.
Here the novel branches into three alternating timelines. In one timeline, Cora names her son Gordon. In another scene, she goes with Julian. In the third timeline, she chooses the name Bear. Readers follow the timelines of Gordon, Julian, and Bear through the next 37 years of their lives. Depending on the name, the child will grow up to be a completely different person. But that’s not the only thing that will change. This seemingly small decision affects the entire family. Each timeline is marked with moments of triumph and tragedy.
name I was very engrossed in reading it. No matter where the story took the characters, I was interested in their journey and wanted to know where their lives were headed. I found myself thinking a lot about the nature of choices and how no choice ultimately made Cora seem more correct than the other. Each had their own results, both good and bad. The novel also deals harshly with abuse and domestic violence, but it was difficult to read at times. However, I was struck by how thoughtful Knapp’s depiction of an abusive relationship was. Abuse is a complex subject that is difficult to tackle in fiction, but Knapp does a great job of tackling it.
We’re already halfway through January, but it’s not too late to think about your future choices. A lot of people are talking about this book, and for good reason. Please read it too!
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