The Names Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Goya's Black Paintings and our BookBrowse Review of The Names.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. According to the author's glossary of names, "Cora" means "the core of the story," and yet Cora is less present in some storylines. Do you think Cora is the heart of the novel—or her son? Whose story feels most central? Or is it some of each? And how do you see the characters relating to the literal meanings of their names?
2. At one point Gordon Jr. observes that though he "can't even explain it to himself ... he has always wanted to be called Luke." Have you ever wished your name were different? Are there certain names that you feel called to or that you innately dislike?
3. Did you find yourself rooting for one of the boys' storylines over another? Why?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Penguin Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.