Book review: The Name You Once Gave Me
Published by Harper Collins
Synopsis: Daniel grew up without a father. His mother told him that his father died the year he was born, and he had no reason to doubt her … until now.
Daniel’s getting married next week. He’s got his future all worked out. It’s
his past that’s the problem.
Daniel never knew his father. All his mother would say was that his dad had
been a Nigerian who died the year Daniel was born. He didn’t even know what his
dad looked like, until an old neighbour showed him a picture. But the man in
photo is still alive…and now Daniel will stop at nothing to find him.
This book belongs to the Quick Reads collection, designed to get adults into
reading. While I believe that this initiative is worthy of praise, I have found
this short novel disappointing.
The starting point is good – a young man on the eve of marriage and fatherhood
wanting to know more about his past in order to better understand himself.
There is nothing wrong with that but – from the very beginning – Daniel just
comes across as someone with a chip on his shoulder who fakes niceties with
pretty much anyone he comes into contact with – even his future bride – while
harbouring contempt for them. Stroppy is how I would describe him.
Apart from an unintentionally dislikeable main character, in just under 120
pages there are more plot twists than might be credible. Also, if you thought
someone could be dangerous, you might want to meet them on neutral grounds
rather than invite them into your home… but this is in line with all other poor
decisions made by fictional characters, like going into dark cellars when they
hear a creepy sound!
I did finish reading the book but – had it been a full-length novel – I
probably wouldn’t have reached the end.
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