Hi all!
Today I am providing a brutally honest review of Beth O Leary’s latest novel: The Name Game. Be warned, it contains spoilers. I have read/ranked every single one of her works (click here) and unfortunately, the quality of her writing seems to be decreasing. Her last book – Swept Away – was not only poorly written, it was quite problematic. After finishing her new one, I took to Goodreads to see what everyone else thought. Sadly, the consensus seemed to be: ‘what happened to the talented author of The Flat Share, The Switch, The Road Trip etc?’ One wayward story is understandable but two in a row? I need to investigate! Please let it be known, this is no disrespect to Beth herself. She is a lovely person and a great writer. It’s because I know how incredible she can be, that I care so much. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Charlie couldn’t be happier to take the job of farm shop manager on the remote, wild Isle of Ormer. She’s grieving, a little lost, and in desperate need of a new beginning. Jones has come out of a difficult breakup and is looking forward to some peace away from the noise of his city life. Moving to Ormer couldn’t have come at a better time. But when Charlie Jones and, ‘ahem’, Charlie Jones both turn up at Ormer’s one and only farm shop, claiming to have been offered the role of manager, everyone is baffled. How could this have happened? And just who is the real Charlie Jones?
1.) Where Was The Chemistry?
The chemistry between ‘Charlie’ and ‘Jones’ was non-existent. To put it mildly, it was as bland as bathwater. I did not feel a connection, nor a spark. Unsurprisingly, many reviewers felt the same way. It’s really difficult to buy into a romance when a.) both characters are not who they say they are and b.) they don’t have a lot of depth to begin with. We know Jones is a recovering alcoholic but aren’t given the full picture until the very end. We know Charlie wants to become a mother but we also believe she lost her best friend in a tragic accident. The whiplash of learning who was actually who removed all impact. By that point, it no longer mattered. I didn’t care for Oliver and Aspen because I wasn’t given the necessary information to enjoy them as Charlie and Jones first. What happened to the slow and steamy tension from The Flat Share and The Wake Up Call? I know Beth has the ability to deliver in that area and then some.
2.) The Exposition Dump
As mentioned above, the twist toward the end reveals Charlie and Jones are not actually who they said they were. A good concept in theory but the execution was so poor, I almost stopped reading then and there. The real Charlie Jones addresses Oliver (Jones) in an email; completely info-dumping her plan and how she managed to pull it off. It’s a lot of telling and not showing. Furthermore, no real person would actually communicate that way. It’s clear Beth needed to explain everything and didn’t know how to do it effectively. The final product ended up being incredibly confusing and frustrating. It took me a good five minutes to comprehend what was happening. I miss her seamless twists (e.g The No Show). That’s how you get the job done! They don’t need to be this convoluted and overexplained.
3.) The Only Twist To Exist
There is a second reveal in The Name Game that I actually enjoyed. It should’ve been the only twist to exist. We learn the owner of the store was searching for her long-lost sister, who was adopted as a child. That sibling being the real Charlie Jones. I wish that had been the central plotline. Imagine if Aspen and Oliver didn’t exist. We just had Charlie discovering her true familial ties on the island, having a baby with Jones and raising him/her together as a village. I would’ve bought that story hook, line and sinker. It would’ve been so wholesome and heartwarming. Instead, I barely cared about Rosie and Charlie because I was too confused about the real identities of our two main characters. The Switch wraps up these beautiful convergences perfectly. Small town folk vs. big city people – lives intertwined so seamlessly.
4.) Did We Forget About Charlie Jones?
By the end, the real Charlie Jones is completely forgotten. This made no sense because her story was left open. The love of her life, Bertie, travels to the island to profess his true feelings. It would’ve been nice to have witnessed the reunion between them but we never do. We just find out later they are still together. Wasn’t this entire novel about Charlie? When did we cast her aside? She had a lot of deep-seated issues that deserved closure. The first three quarters of The Name Game dragged. The conclusion however, was very rushed and underdeveloped. This author knows how to pace her novels well. The Road Trip proved that. Somewhere along the way, she lost that magic touch.
5.) The Final Verdict
The Name Game was not as terrible as Swept Away but it wasn’t far off. It was a struggle from start to finish. It’s clear that something has shifted in the author’s writing. If I was the only one that felt this way, I wouldn’t be so passionate. I, and countless other reviewers, are missing Beth’s usual spark. I know she is capable of so much more. Whatever comes next, I will be seated. I’m not giving up on her just yet!
I gave The Name Game 2.5/5 stars.
Thank you so much for reading! Have you read The Name Game?
Peace & Love xoxo
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