ONE HUNDRED NAMES

BY AHERN CECELIA

A BOOK REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

We all make mistakes, some bigger than others, but none of us is perfect." 
― Cecelia Ahern, One Hundred Names

Cecelia Ahern's One Hundred Names will capture you emotionally and fascinate you with its
magical power as a worldwide tale of secrets, second chances, and the hidden links that interconnect our
lives. The bestselling fictional book of Ahern's is a story worth telling. The story's theme has its character; it
empowers journalists to its core. One Hundred Names tells the tale of a journalist named Kitty Logan and
explores the cringe-worthy efforts she makes to rebuild her own life by frantically pursuing the story that her
mentor never got the opportunity to write. 

It took a few pages to get into it, but I was hooked. Once the self-pitying introduction was through,
the narrative drew me in. The tales Kitty hears are enthralling. That's the book's appeal: everyone feels
genuine. I'd be astonished if they weren't based on actual individuals. They have problems, and things
don't always work out, but their histories and tales fascinate me.

PLOT SUMMARY

Kitty's life is deteriorating. Her reputation is shattered, her mentor is dying, her lover left her, her
landlord is trying to evict her, and someone keeps spreading graffiti and excrement on her apartment door.
Kitty has lost one job as a TV journalist and is likely to lose another at Etcetera magazine after slandering a
famous instructor.

Constance, Kitty's mentor and the editor-in-chief of Etcetera, tells her before she dies that the
inspiration for the one tale she always wanted to write is in an envelope in her home office. Kitty writes the
novella as an homage to Constance after her death. When she opens the packet, she finds just 100
names. 

Although Kitty considers herself a journalist who can discover a story in everyone, tracing the link
between 100 unconnected individuals in Dublin seems complicated. Many of Kitty's contacts don't want to
communicate with a journalist, especially one subject of a libel lawsuit. Those who react have no clue why
they were on Constance's list. Telling Constance's tale is Kitty's final opportunity to save her career, so she
fiercely pursues it.

Determination and grit are Kitty's best traits. Kitty is a mostly unlikeable protagonist. Kitty feels
regret for Colin Maguire, the teacher whose career and family are in ruins following her false allegations.
Still, she is caught up in her anguish and agony to apologize. Ahern presents her as vacuous and
pretentious, and Kitty's attempts to correct her wrongs are more self-preservation than altruism. Kitty's guilt
is for her pain, not for the guy whose life she shattered or the coworkers whose livelihoods are at risk.

Kitty's errors and follies give amusing material (and a touch of schadenfreude). As Kitty attempts to
get her life back on track, she has one bad luck after another: a lover who moves out while at work, an old
acquaintance with ulterior purposes, a stolen bike, and mounting damage to her apartment door.
Kitty's difficulties are minor compared to those of others she encounters while researching
Constance's narrative. One Hundred Names focuses on the persons on Constance's list. This varied
company of characters ranges from an old but spry nursing care resident to a bereaved ex-con to a
Guinness Book of World Records wannabe, and I found myself pulling for them more than Kitty. I was more
interested in their futures and their relationship with each other than in Kitty's career problems or personal
meetings, which seemed like afterthoughts.

Finally, Ahern skillfully binds the story's strands together. Although the idea of One Hundred
Names is intriguing, the lack of character depth in many of the characters and a somewhat cliché and
predictable ending prevent the novel from reaching its full potential. On the other hand, Ahern's novel is
instantly entertaining because of its cast of diverse individuals and ability to elicit tales from otherwise
regular lives.
CONCLUSION

Even though both the idea and the cast of people are fantastic, I can't help but feel that there was
room for some further nuance. It seems as if there are flashing arrows with the words encircling specific
paragraphs, and it gives the impression that she could have worked a little more to make sure events and
dialogues were less awkward. Yes, we know that many people have a negative opinion of Kitty. Still, there
is no need for your characters to interrupt a legitimate discussion to start yelling at each other for no
apparent reason.

I adored 100 Names despite its shortcomings. The unusual premise and fantastic characters make
up for some writing issues. It's not the kind of great, but I felt profound about this story, which meant more
to me than any flawless writing.