Latest news with #TheNames
The Guardian
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Love Groundhog Day and Russian Doll? These are the novels for you
Florence Knapp's first novel The Names, publishing this month, tells not one story but three. As it opens, a mother is preparing to take her newborn boy to formally register his name. Will it be Bear, as his older sister would like, her own choice of Julian, or Gordon, named after his controlling father? The universe pivots on the decision she makes. Knapp plaits together the three stories that follow to trace the three different worlds in which the boy grows to manhood. Think of it as Sliding Doors for nominative determinism. In this universe, at least, it is going like gangbusters. Described as 'the book of the fair' at Frankfurt two years ago, Knapp's publisher secured the rights in a 13-way auction and it's already due to appear in 20 languages. It is a prime example of a renewed interest in what might be called 'high-concept fiction'. Knapp, though, says that the first time she even heard the epithet was in a meeting with an agent after she'd finished writing her book. 'I looked it up when I came home, and even now, it still feels like a really intangible thing: something to do with a hook, and maybe something to do with structure?' She says she's not a science fiction reader, but her husband is an avid fan and she found herself fascinated when he talked to her about world-building in that genre. The idea for what became The Names first came to her in 2017 or 2018, but 'I'd written a completely different book in between that I thought would have more commercial appeal, and it never found a publisher. So when I was setting out to write this one, I didn't have a sense of it being a big idea at all: it was just the thing that, when I was faced with quite a lot of rejection, I kept coming back to.' The narrative structure was, she says, 'really helpful. I think I realised early on that I wanted to show, in a very crystallised way, those moments in a person's life that are formative. If I hadn't had that structure, it would have been quite amorphous for the reader.' Instead, she says, 'it felt like stepping stones. OK, I just need to get to the next place, and then the next place …' 'High concept' is a tricky notion to define, but you know it when you see it. It's a story with a ready-made elevator pitch; a grabby gimmick in the narrative or world-building that can be summarised in a couple of sentences. Another recent example is last year's hit debut The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley: a story about refugees finding their feet in London, but the refugees are from other eras rather than other countries. And probably the hottest piece of translated fiction since Knausgård, Solvej Balle's On the Calculation of Volume, announces early on: 'Every night when I lie down to sleep in the bed in the guest room it is the eighteenth of November and every morning, when I wake up, it is the eighteenth of November.' Think the classic movie Groundhog Day, or the TV show Russian Doll, in which Natasha Lyonne's character relives her 36th birthday party over and over – only with a Danish antiquarian bookseller and an International Booker shortlisting. There are two accounts you could offer of why these stories are popular now, one of them cynical, one of them less so. There's a bit of truth in both. The cynical one is that high-concept books are much easier to get past marketing meetings. A novel with a gimmick sticks in the mind. Its fanbase can sell it on TikTok – 'it's High School Musical – but with giant crabs!' – and buyers at bookshops will remember that book with the cool premise in the absence of a marquee author name. The less cynical version is that these books find readers because they use their MacGuffins to deft literary effect – and because a public that used to be sniffy about genre fiction is coming to appreciate its imaginative possibilities. The novelist Jenny Colgan describes the increased appetite for high-concept fiction as a sign that readers are 'getting over their prejudices to discover how many amazing worlds there are out there'. As she puts it, 'sci-fi is just shorthand for using certain tropes – time travel, rockets, apocalypse – to tell the kind of story you are telling: a love story, or a story about sadness or loss. And some of those work very well but loads sink without trace.' The vital ingredient, she argues, is quality. 'If you do something brilliantly you can smash through people's genre walls.' The Names is perfectly pitched between so-called literary and popular fiction, full of heart, and works out its premise compellingly. Meanwhile Bradley's book is consistently funny and inventive, and crackles at the level of the sentence: the fun the author is having is contagious. And Balle explores her world absorbingly; the generative idea at the heart of it grips the reader's imagination from the off. The same was true of those high-concept books that broke through in recent years: Kate Atkinson's Life After Life (an alternate-realities precursor to The Names, spliced in with a touch of Groundhog Day); Audrey Niffenegger's time-jumbled romance The Time Traveler's Wife; Naomi Alderman's The Power (what if, overnight, women were a physical threat to men rather than vice versa?) and David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, to name just a few. Kaliane Bradley, who is both a publisher (she's an editor at Penguin) and a novelist, says she sees a high-concept pitch as 'an easy way into something that might be more complex or with multiple strands'. She uses the example of Dracula: 'There's a mysterious foreigner, and it's partly about fear of the immigrant, and it's about nervousness around female sexuality … but the high-concept pitch is: 'It's a guy who sucks your blood.'' She thinks the present boom is attributable to a 'certain loosening around the boundaries of genre' which has made people less anxious about approaching a book through a keynote idea: 'There was perhaps a time when people would have been only attracted by that or only put off by it.' She says she wrote her own high-concept novel by accident. 'I thought my first novel would be a big literary book about Cambodia,' she says. The Ministry of Time began as a jeu d'esprit to amuse Bradley's friends, 'and the conceit was: what would it be like if your favourite polar explorer, because we were all very into polar exploration, lived in your house? That's it. That's the concept […] The very first version was almost an experiment, really, and then it turned into a book by mistake.' She adds: 'The difference between this book and the book that I was writing that's now in a bottom drawer, is that one I felt like I had to take very seriously, and I had a real obligation to write. Whereas for this, it was just like: this is a fun idea. What if I just mess around with it? I realise it's different for every writer, but for me, that was just the more fertile way of thinking about writing.' The Names by Florence Knapp is published by Phoenix (£16.99). To support the Guardian order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Win a copy of The Names by Florence Knapp in this week's Fabulous book competition
DAZZLING READ Win a copy of The Names by Florence Knapp in this week's Fabulous book competition WHEN Cora comes to register her son's birth, she hesitates when asked what his name should be. Her abusive husband Gordon has decreed he should be named after him, while their daughter has requested Bear, and Cora herself would like Julian. Advertisement 1 10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition This harrowing but beautiful Sliding Doors story looks at what happens in each scenario. 10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition. To win a copy, enter using the form below by 11:59pm on May 17, 2025. For full terms and conditions, click here. Advertisement
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Heart-rending and compulsive': The new Literary Fiction you need to read - GUNK by Saba Sams, THE NAMES by Florence Knapp, STEALING DAD by Sofka Zinovieff
GUNK by Saba Sams (Bloomsbury Circus £16.99, 240pp) Sams's debut story collection, Send Nudes, earned its then 26-year-old author a spot on Granta's Best of Young British Novelists list in 2023, so it's gratifying that this, her sensitive first novel, delivers. Gunk is the grungy Brighton nightclub where Jules works. She's divorced from its man-child proprietor, Leon, but at 20-something longs for a baby. Which is where 19-year-old bartender Nim comes in. The two are soon friends, and when Nim falls pregnant after a night with Leon, the equation seems obvious: she will just give the child over to Jules. But, as we know from a frame narrative, things don't go to plan. The plots unfolds with a simple inevitability that almost disguises Sams's craft, although there's no missing the brilliance of her scintillating turns of phrase. Imbued with an affecting authenticity of feeling, this is an involving exploration of life, love and family forged beyond labels by one of Gen Z's sharpest observers. THE NAMES by Florence Knapp (Phoenix £16.99, 352pp) The Names is available now from the Mail Bookshop Publishers scrambled to sign up this debut – which also sparked huge auctions internationally – and it certainly boasts an attention-grabbing conceit. In 1987, Cora goes to register her son's name: Gordon, like his father and grandfather before him. But Cora's seemingly kindly GP husband is in fact a violent abuser. Unwilling to saddle her son with such baggage, Cora weighs whether to risk rebelling. What follows are three different narratives: one in which the child does indeed become Gordon; one in which he is christened Bear by his loving sister and one wherein Cora's preferred name, Julian, wins out. With the Life After Life-style narrative proceeding in seven-year leaps, it's a pretext to explore how the lives of the trio play out in the long shadow of terrible trauma. Knapp doesn't shy from emotional gut-punches, but her heart-rending and compulsive tale is ultimately life-affirming. STEALING DAD by Sofka Zinovieff (Corsair £20, 304pp) By the time 70-something Greek artist Alekos dies in London, he's accumulated seven children. But plans for a big family funeral are thwarted by his sixth and final wife, who insists on being the only mourner. Outraged, the far-flung siblings come together and – in the wake of an enlightening micro-dosing session – decide to steal their dad's body and drive him to Scotland for a suitably theatrical send-off. This is the loosest of quest narratives, the free-wheeling style and roving point of view fitting as the clan search for a shape for their grief. I often felt like a bystander as the characters poured over their fractured past, but, if the stakes never felt particularly high, the warmth and sympathy between the bereaved radiates out to the reader.
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
10 new books for May: Rachel Gillig, Vogue Williams, and more...
Julie Chan is Dead, by Liann Zhang (May 1) A young woman steps into her deceased twin's influencer life, only to discover dark secrets in this debut novel. Zhang, a second-generation Chinese Canadian spent time as a skincare content creator before graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in psychology and criminology. The Names, by Florence Knapp (May 6) What's in a name? Florence Knapp takes an ordinary question and turns it into a meditation on identity, fate, and family. This 'sliding doors' novel set between Ireland and the UK tackles the ripple effects of domestic abuse and the messy ties of family, and has been tipped as one of the biggest novels of the year. The Tenant, by Frieda McFadden (May 6) Bestselling author Freida McFadden returns with a gripping story of revenge, privilege, and secrets turned sour. In her latest chilling thriller, Blake's new tenant seems perfect—until everything starts to go horribly wrong. It Should Have Been You, by Andrea Mara (May 8) We all know the fear of sending a message about someone to that person by mistake. That's what happens in crime writer Andrea Mara's new book, but when a text about the neighbours goes to the community WhatsApp, its sender receives death threats – and a person living in the same address in a different part of town is murdered. The Knight and the Moth, by Rachel Gillig (May 20) A BookTok sensation, Rachel Gillig's duology The Shepherd King went viral on TikTok. Her latest book, the first in a new romantasy series, has a different atmosphere. It follows a prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with a handsome knight whose future she cannot see. The Aftertaste, by Daria Lavelle (May 22) This is a ghost story worth devouring. When spirits are near, Kostya can taste their favourite food. He opens a restaurant so he can reunite people with their deceased loved ones — at least for the length of their favourite meal. It has already received rave reviews from the likes of chef Nigella Lawson and author Louise Kennedy. Ripeness, by Sarah Moss (May 22) Sarah Moss, the Scottish-born bestselling author of Summerwater and assistant professor of creative writing at UCD, explores love and belonging in her latest novel, which moves from Italy in the 1960s to Ireland in the 2020s and touches upon migration and new beginnings. Big Mouth, by Vogue Williams (May 22) TV presenter and podcaster Vogue Williams's memoir promises to share what you don't see on social media: a deep dive into her stories of divorce, anxiety, family, immortality and showbiz. Let Me Go Mad In My Own Way, by Elaine Feeney (May 29) Booker Prize-longlisted Galway author and poet Elaine Feeney publishes her third fiction book in May. Claire, back living in her childhood home, is thrown back into a love she thought she'd left behind. It is a story of love and resilience, rich with the legacies of violence and redemption. Long Story, by Vicki Notaro (May 29) Reality Check author Vicki Notaro writes about two best friends torn apart by a celebrity memoir in her sophomore novel. Movie star Tara and podcast host Alex find their friendship tested when rockstar Sean Sweeney's memoir is published, revealing his past relationships with them both. Read More John Patrick McHugh: 10 of the books that have influenced me through the years
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Win a copy of The Names by Florence Knapp in this week's Fabulous book competition terms and conditions
T&CS Open to United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland residents aged 18 or over only, except employees of the Promoter, News Corp UK & Ireland Limited, and their associated, affiliated or subsidiary companies, their families, agents or any other person(s) connected with the competition, including third party promotional partners. Competition closes at 11.59pm on May 17, 2025 (the 'Closing Date'). Entries received after the Closing Date will not be counted. One entry per person. Bulk, automatically generated or third party entries are void. To enter you must click the 'click to enter' link on The Names page before the Closing Date. There will be 10 winners. The winners will be selected at random from all valid entries for this competition received before the Closing Date. Winners will be notified by email or phone or using the other contact details provided by the winner within fourteen days after the Closing Date. All reasonable endeavours will be made to contact the winner during the specified time. If a winner cannot be contacted or is not available, the Promoter reserves the right to re-draw another winner from the valid/correct entries that were received before the Closing Date. The prize is a copy of The Names in hardcover, paperback or e-book format, at the discretion of the Promoter. The prize is non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives to the prize in whole or in part. The promoter of this competition is News Group Newspapers Ltd (publishers of The Sun) (the 'Promoter'). General terms and conditions for competitions apply*. *GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COMPETITIONS These terms and conditions apply to all competitions (unless and to the extent that) the competition states otherwise. The winner is responsible for ensuring they are able to accept the prize as set out and in accordance with these terms and conditions, in the event they are unable to do so then the Promoter reserves the right to redraw the prize. Entry is free but entrants should be aware that they may be subject to data charges depending on their own individual arrangements for Internet access if entry is online or by email. An eligible entrant must be an individual, must enter on their own behalf, and must submit an entry in the form requested by the Promoter under this promotion including their name, address and e-mail address. By entering, all eligible entrants agree to abide by each and all these terms and conditions. Misrepresentative or fraudulent entries will invalidate an entry. Where a competition involves a voting process: offering or receiving any incentive for voting is not permitted and will invalidate the vote, and may disqualify the recipient of the vote. The Promoter reserves the right, with or without cause, to exclude entrants and withhold prizes for violating any of these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions. Any amendments will be published on the Promoter's website (the 'Website'). The Promoter reserves the right to publish entries (including parts of entries) other than the winning entry and publication does not necessarily mean the entrant has won a prize. Entrants will retain copyright in their submitted entries, however, by entering, all entrants licence the Promoter a worldwide royalty-free perpetual licence to edit, publish and use each entry in any and all media (including print and online) for publicity and news purposes. The Promoter reserves the right to publish entries (including parts of entries) although publication does not necessarily mean the entrant has won a prize. There is no cash or other alternative to the prize stated and the prize is not transferable and no part or parts of the prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions. Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize. The Promoter's decision is final and binding on the entrants. No correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter will not be liable for technical, hardware, or software failures of any kind or lost or unavailable network connections that may limit or prohibit an eligible entrant's ability to participate in the competition. Other than death or personal injury arising from the acts or omissions of the Promoter or its employees, the Promoter will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the winner's (or their guest's) enjoyment of the prize. By entering, any subsequent prize winners agree to allow the free use of their names, photographs and general locations for publicity and news purposes during this and future promotions by the Promoter or any associated or subsidiary company of News Corp UK & Ireland Limited. Uses of personal data received by the Promoter in the course of the promotion are subject to the privacy policy found on the Website. Winners' names may be published on the Website. Completion and submission of a registration slip or e-mail will be deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions. The Promoter reserves the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition (including altering prizes) if, in our sole discretion, a competition is not capable of being conducted as specified. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value in the event that circumstances beyond their control make this unavoidable. For a list of winners please send a stamped envelope to News UK, Competitions Department, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF stating for which competition you would like winners' details. Competition rules published in publications of the Promoter (including social media if applicable) or on the Website form part of these rules.
