Tilly’s review of The Names > Likes and Comments
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Agree completely
I am struggling to finish this book! Finally found your two star review , in a sea of 4 & 5 stars . I keep asking myself if I'm missing something? Glad I'm not alone. You have said my feelings it exactly .
Also agree! I listened to it and found myself struggling to remember who was who and what was happening to each version.
Perfectly said. I struggled to get through this one, but wanted to love it so bad.
I agree, and I also wanted to love this one but grew increasingly mad at it the closer it neared the end.
I would have liked 3 parts...one of Bear's story, one of Julian's, and finally Gordon's. It's a bit tough to follow but is Beautifully written.
I am truly embarrassed to admit that I had no idea that this book was 3 separate stories about the same people. I guess I didn't really pay attention to the dates at the beginning of some chapters. Plus I was looking for something completely different! I kept thinking, wait a minute! I thought he married Lily!! I was blaming it on looming 77th Birthday and wondering how much longer I had to go before I couldn't understand a trying I read! I figured I'd must ask some folds who write lots of re news for Goodfeads. I must say, though I did e joy the poke e. T
though I was co cused
Reading reviews . . .
This book is getting a lot of PR and that doesn’t always translate into a good read. Also, debut novels are often hit or miss.
WTR?
I agree: three story lines is too much to develop a true sense for individual persons, furthermore it was not about names but about a decision regarding a relationship, and thirdly there was too much detail about things like jewelry making and other occupations which stymied the plot and were, to someone not into these activities, simply boring.
Agree. Opening was so arresting but I started to feel quite short changed by the amount of erroneous perspectives and characters. Would've loved just Cora, Maia and Bear's in each three time lines. I also can't help but feel like perhaps moving perspectives so much made it easier for the author to ignore difficulties in the writing. It's easier to just change perspectives and move on...
I don’t think I can finish this book. I’m not connecting with the
characters. Told in the different timelines with underdeveloped
characters that I’m not invested in. Almost feel like there’s no point to it all. I must echo Florence’s review.And I’m shocked at the 4 & 5 star reviews.
Agree. Towards the end I was totally confused with time periods. After discussion at book club today I realized that there were a number of things I didn’t pick up on.
Your review is spot on. I’m baffled with all the 4 & 5 star reviews, which I read before reading. Huh???
Totally agree. I loved the concept but it got very confusing with the three alternate lives.
I was fine with the three alternate lives, but the end - I’m confused. I don’t understand the last two pages of the epilogue. The; There is a child… There is a young man… There is a girl… There is a boy…
What is that all about???
Too many rabbit trails to go down in this book. I found myself so confused with the pathways of these alternate lives. The repetitive abuse was nauseating and was the determining factor in these paths, not the names chosen.
Agree! Thr beginning had me consuming and then it lost momentum and I actually lost interest in finishing it. I like the premise, but it honestly fell flat for me.
I totally agree! So underdeveloped. I found it hard to connect because I didn’t know the characters well enough to differentiate timelines
totally agree...just couldn't grasp the entire book..thought it was me not reading straight through but i just couldn't.
Agreed. Interesting concept but not well executed in my opinion.
Right on point. I struggled through this book not only because of the disturbing domestic violence but also the poor character development. The sudden appearance of Comfort, Ida, Pearl, and Kate, none well developed, also Lily, Fern and Felix, so I had trouble remembering the relationships. To add to the confusion, the spelling of Maia’s name was so similar to her friend’s. The timeline and characters often had me questioning what did I miss?
The epilogue? I don’t get it. I almost didn’t finish this book but decided to push through. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I thought the wives / girlfriends were well developed for Bear / Julian / Gordon but not for Mia. The epilogue I thought was just commenting on how names shape us, but I don't know if I missed a hidden meaning there!
Totally agree. You didn't connect with the characters because they kept changing personality with each name version and it got very confusing. Finished the book, but didn't enjoy it at all
I agree with your review about the confusion with the three names and the timelines. I came to the two thirds of the book when this person Orla appears pregnant with Julian's baby! Where is Lily? Ok, obviously I didn't catch the variations of the story, following the different names, but I didn't see much difference brought on by the various names. Then, the confusing timeline, mother dead, mother not dead. The battering and the abuse at the beginning , lead to the killing, but at some point, the mother, always by the same name, appears living normally contemporaneously with her grown up children. The author could have written another two books. As I've been struggling with this bbok for weeks now, I finally thought of readiing the reviews which I avoid before finishing, I saw that I'm not the only one. I will probably eventually reach the end, but on my own willpower, not by the force of the book.Sorry!
I found it hard to follow, and none of the characters engaging.
My book club LOVED this book. I was the only one who thought it weak. Such a gimmick that just did not work.
I totally agree. Thought it was very weak. Great idea poorly executed
It seemed to me, the author needed to end finally and fast the book, since it started to sort of meander out of control. So, she she decided to close it and said, that's it!
I thought I was the only one but seeing your review I feel better. I started very strong but 80% into the book I am kinda struggling..I will finish it as I need to know how it ends.
100% agree with this. Exactly, well said.
You nailed it. the first 6 chapters were really good, but then it kinda unraveled and I lost interested in figuring things out.
And then she called him Hugh?! Wtf. Glad to see your review, feel exactly the same. Underdeveloped characters that I couldn't connect with.
Couldn’t agree more, couldn’t care less about these characters,
Halfway through having put the book down many times I realised the effort of remembering who did what was melting my brain.
The failure to develop characters was a major flaw. I finished the book, but lost interest well before the end.
Completely agree. I was glad to finish it
I agree. This type of plot device is popular but it just makes the whole book disjointed. I found the same with Cloud Atlas. With this book, I read one of the ‘name’ sections chronologically which helped with continuity. The other two I read sequentially as they were written.
Book group book.
For such a grave subject I found it pretty superficial to the point of being dull.
I’m struggling to finish. Started off strong but falling flat for me. Trying to push through!
Agreed. It was chosen for my book club and I am at a loss to know why it received such glowing reviews. I found it excruciatingly dull and couldn't wait to finish it.
Yes, this is how I feel too. It was also this months book club book and the hype around it online was huge. I’m a bit disappointed to be honest.
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May 27, 2025 08:56AM
Agree completely
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I am struggling to finish this book! Finally found your two star review , in a sea of 4 & 5 stars . I keep asking myself if I'm missing something? Glad I'm not alone. You have said my feelings it exactly .
Also agree! I listened to it and found myself struggling to remember who was who and what was happening to each version.
Perfectly said. I struggled to get through this one, but wanted to love it so bad.
I agree, and I also wanted to love this one but grew increasingly mad at it the closer it neared the end.
I would have liked 3 parts...one of Bear's story, one of Julian's, and finally Gordon's. It's a bit tough to follow but is Beautifully written.
I am truly embarrassed to admit that I had no idea that this book was 3 separate stories about the same people. I guess I didn't really pay attention to the dates at the beginning of some chapters. Plus I was looking for something completely different! I kept thinking, wait a minute! I thought he married Lily!! I was blaming it on looming 77th Birthday and wondering how much longer I had to go before I couldn't understand a trying I read! I figured I'd must ask some folds who write lots of re news for Goodfeads. I must say, though I did e joy the poke e. Tthough I was co cused
Reading reviews . . .This book is getting a lot of PR and that doesn’t always translate into a good read. Also, debut novels are often hit or miss.
WTR?
I agree: three story lines is too much to develop a true sense for individual persons, furthermore it was not about names but about a decision regarding a relationship, and thirdly there was too much detail about things like jewelry making and other occupations which stymied the plot and were, to someone not into these activities, simply boring.
Agree. Opening was so arresting but I started to feel quite short changed by the amount of erroneous perspectives and characters. Would've loved just Cora, Maia and Bear's in each three time lines. I also can't help but feel like perhaps moving perspectives so much made it easier for the author to ignore difficulties in the writing. It's easier to just change perspectives and move on...
I don’t think I can finish this book. I’m not connecting with the characters. Told in the different timelines with underdeveloped
characters that I’m not invested in. Almost feel like there’s no point to it all. I must echo Florence’s review.And I’m shocked at the 4 & 5 star reviews.
Agree. Towards the end I was totally confused with time periods. After discussion at book club today I realized that there were a number of things I didn’t pick up on.
Your review is spot on. I’m baffled with all the 4 & 5 star reviews, which I read before reading. Huh???
Totally agree. I loved the concept but it got very confusing with the three alternate lives.
I was fine with the three alternate lives, but the end - I’m confused. I don’t understand the last two pages of the epilogue. The; There is a child… There is a young man… There is a girl… There is a boy… What is that all about???
Too many rabbit trails to go down in this book. I found myself so confused with the pathways of these alternate lives. The repetitive abuse was nauseating and was the determining factor in these paths, not the names chosen.
Agree! Thr beginning had me consuming and then it lost momentum and I actually lost interest in finishing it. I like the premise, but it honestly fell flat for me.
I totally agree! So underdeveloped. I found it hard to connect because I didn’t know the characters well enough to differentiate timelines
totally agree...just couldn't grasp the entire book..thought it was me not reading straight through but i just couldn't.
Agreed. Interesting concept but not well executed in my opinion.
Right on point. I struggled through this book not only because of the disturbing domestic violence but also the poor character development. The sudden appearance of Comfort, Ida, Pearl, and Kate, none well developed, also Lily, Fern and Felix, so I had trouble remembering the relationships. To add to the confusion, the spelling of Maia’s name was so similar to her friend’s. The timeline and characters often had me questioning what did I miss?
The epilogue? I don’t get it. I almost didn’t finish this book but decided to push through. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I thought the wives / girlfriends were well developed for Bear / Julian / Gordon but not for Mia. The epilogue I thought was just commenting on how names shape us, but I don't know if I missed a hidden meaning there!
Totally agree. You didn't connect with the characters because they kept changing personality with each name version and it got very confusing. Finished the book, but didn't enjoy it at all
I agree with your review about the confusion with the three names and the timelines. I came to the two thirds of the book when this person Orla appears pregnant with Julian's baby! Where is Lily? Ok, obviously I didn't catch the variations of the story, following the different names, but I didn't see much difference brought on by the various names. Then, the confusing timeline, mother dead, mother not dead. The battering and the abuse at the beginning , lead to the killing, but at some point, the mother, always by the same name, appears living normally contemporaneously with her grown up children. The author could have written another two books. As I've been struggling with this bbok for weeks now, I finally thought of readiing the reviews which I avoid before finishing, I saw that I'm not the only one. I will probably eventually reach the end, but on my own willpower, not by the force of the book.Sorry!
I found it hard to follow, and none of the characters engaging.
My book club LOVED this book. I was the only one who thought it weak. Such a gimmick that just did not work.
I totally agree. Thought it was very weak. Great idea poorly executed
It seemed to me, the author needed to end finally and fast the book, since it started to sort of meander out of control. So, she she decided to close it and said, that's it!
I thought I was the only one but seeing your review I feel better. I started very strong but 80% into the book I am kinda struggling..I will finish it as I need to know how it ends.
100% agree with this. Exactly, well said.
You nailed it. the first 6 chapters were really good, but then it kinda unraveled and I lost interested in figuring things out.
And then she called him Hugh?! Wtf. Glad to see your review, feel exactly the same. Underdeveloped characters that I couldn't connect with.
Couldn’t agree more, couldn’t care less about these characters,Halfway through having put the book down many times I realised the effort of remembering who did what was melting my brain.
The failure to develop characters was a major flaw. I finished the book, but lost interest well before the end.
Completely agree. I was glad to finish it
I agree. This type of plot device is popular but it just makes the whole book disjointed. I found the same with Cloud Atlas. With this book, I read one of the ‘name’ sections chronologically which helped with continuity. The other two I read sequentially as they were written.
Book group book. For such a grave subject I found it pretty superficial to the point of being dull.
I’m struggling to finish. Started off strong but falling flat for me. Trying to push through!
Agreed. It was chosen for my book club and I am at a loss to know why it received such glowing reviews. I found it excruciatingly dull and couldn't wait to finish it.
Yes, this is how I feel too. It was also this months book club book and the hype around it online was huge. I’m a bit disappointed to be honest.
