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Loving Will Shakespeare

by Carolyn Meyer (Goodreads Author)

3.46 of 5 stars 3.46 · rating details · 850 ratings · 127 reviews

Poor Anne Hathaway is still living with her callous stepmother, and her prospects for marriage and a home of her own are becoming grim. However, she can’t seem to get charismatic Will Shakespeare out of her mind--even though he is much too young for her. But then one day Will impulsively kisses his childhood friend Anne, changing the course of their lives forever.
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Hardcover, 272 pages

Published October 1st 2006 by Harcourt Children's Books

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Sep 05, 2008 Sarah Kissel rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Ages 11 and up

It's been quite a while since I've read this, but upon revisiting my review I've decided to cut the spoilers and simply say that I was disappointed in the overall presentation of Anne's heartbreaking tale. I can appreciate a heavy tragedy as much as the next Shakespeare fan, but instead of evocative and tear-jerking Anne's sadness was conveyed in an utterly lifeless and pale manner. The story is depressing, and not in a good way. Made for a dull, downhearted read. If you're going to write about...more

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Nov 19, 2008 R.j. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: shakespeare fans, history fans

I liked this! I thought the historical stuff was done very well -- the author has obviously done a great deal of research. I'm no authority on Shakespeare or his times, but she certainly put in a lot of little details of language and culture that sounded convincing.

I also appreciated the way that Carolyn Meyer made Anne spirited and intelligent while still allowing her to be flawed and making her a believable product of her time -- while she's smart, she doesn't display an improbable degree of...more

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Mar 16, 2009 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a young adult book written about Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare. You learn of their romance as well as the history of the time. Anne was seven years older than Will when she first saw him as she leaned over his cradle. Their families were friends and they eventually became lovers, married and had three children together. The main focus of the book is on Anne and the time she lived in. I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick read.

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Jun 04, 2013 Nathalie S rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loving Will Shakespeare is the story of Anne Hathaway who eventually marries William Shakespeare. Her real name is Agnes but Will starts calling her Anne because he finds it such a pretty name which suits Agnes better (and I must agree here). Seven year old Agnes remembers gazing upon the newly born babe of John and Mary Shakespeare who are friends and neighbors of Anne's family. Tragedy, namely the plague, strikes the Hathaway family and the mother dies. Anne's father remarries Joan Biddle, a s...more Loving Will Shakespeare is the story of Anne Hathaway who eventually marries William Shakespeare. Her real name is Agnes but Will starts calling her Anne because he finds it such a pretty name which suits Agnes better (and I must agree here). Seven year old Agnes remembers gazing upon the newly born babe of John and Mary Shakespeare who are friends and neighbors of Anne's family. Tragedy, namely the plague, strikes the Hathaway family and the mother dies. Anne's father remarries Joan Biddle, a shrewish widow who can say nothing good about Anne and her sister--somehow the older brother, Tolley, gets a pass. Why is that good and decent men always seem to marry such awful women the second time around, when they managed to marry good women the first time?!?!? But anyhoo, Anne and Will have always been fond of each other but their difference in age has always stood in the way. Until, Will, at 18 years old, finally declares his love to Anne, by then practically an old maid at the ripe old age of 26. Thus ensues a summer of idyllic young love culminating in Anne's pregnancy. Anne is panicked because Will, although professing to love her, has not proposed marriage yet. But all's well and they get married, although they must move in with the Shakespeare's in their crowded cottage. Then follows the birth of a daughter, followed a year later by twins. Will, being William Shakespeare of course, is dreaming of going up to London and being in the theater, not staying home and following his father's footsteps as a glove maker. Anne has known that this was Will's dream always and reluctantly agrees to let him leave his family behind and follows his dreams. He spends the majority of their marriage away from Anne and the children and the rest of the story is familiar. This begs the question--William Shakespeare is such a treasure to history but he had to leave his wife and family behind to achieve it...how do you feel about this? This spellbinding book was further excelled by the wonderful performance of reader Katherine Kellgren.(less)

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May 22, 2013 Riley Martin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Though I was trepidatious at first when picking up a story about Shakespeare, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I read the entire thing in a single day, and even though I knew what was coming (Anne's marriage to Will) I was still interested to see what would happen to finally bring them together. I am not upset that this book was mostly about Anne's life rather than William's, I found Anne's trials very intriguing and different from your everyday Shakespeare tragedy. I also somewhat relat...more

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Oct 16, 2012 D.R. rated it 3 of 5 stars

The whole story revolves around our main protagonist, Agnes (Anne) Hathaway, the woman who became the wife of the world's greatest playwright. The book depicts her journey from childhood, her troubles with her family and up until she died.

What I love about this book is that although this was entirely about Agnes Hathaway, it humanized William Shakespeare. This story showed that although William Shakespeare was deemed at the world's greatest playwright, he was failure in other aspects.

Caroline Me...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Maanasa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Carolyn Meyer is an excellent author and I love reading her books. I did have some mixed feelings about this book. I loved the 1500's setting and the time period. However, I did not really like the character of Will Shakespeare. In fact, by the end of the book I hated him. Anne is a smart, kind, clever, and sweet girl who deserved to be comforted and loved. We all thought the person to do that would be Will Shakespeare, but instead he married her, stayed with her for...more

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May 20, 2011 Erin rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm a little conflicted about how to rate this book. I listened to it in two days at work. The first day I was enjoying it because my imagination was thoroughly transported into Shakespearean England. The author clearly did her research well, because she recreates the time period so convincingly. I loved just listening to how they used to speak. That was my favorite part.
However, I was dissatisfied the second day as I finished the story. I kept hoping that further into the book we'd get a bette...more I'm a little conflicted about how to rate this book. I listened to it in two days at work. The first day I was enjoying it because my imagination was thoroughly transported into Shakespearean England. The author clearly did her research well, because she recreates the time period so convincingly. I loved just listening to how they used to speak. That was my favorite part.
However, I was dissatisfied the second day as I finished the story. I kept hoping that further into the book we'd get a better glimpse of the character of William Shakespeare as he became a more important figure in Anne's life, but I feel like in the end all we got were glimpses of him. He was a supporting character in a story where I'd expected him to play a major part. He begins as a cute, precocious, and gallant little kid the few times we see him, but seems to become more ghostlike once the two finally begin dating. If anything, he loses personality. We often hear his name at that point but seldom see his face. Even when they are together we only HEAR that they spend every Saturday and Sunday evening together: we rarely SEE scenes of it actually happening. Also, we spent so much time leading up to what we most anticipated and expected: the title, after all, leads us to believe that this should be a good love story. However, we don't actually get to Anne and Will's courtship and marriage until near the end of the book, where they are rushed through. Granted, there are some parts of that I'm glad she didn't get too explicit on, but she still could have shown some romantic scenes of him quoting his poetry to Anne, rather just assuring us that they were happening. Maybe she chose to do that just so we, like Anne, would wonder if he really did love her. The ending was abrupt, sad, and disappointing too. I was hoping we'd at least get a glimpse of a joyful homecoming and reunion to assure us that he really does still love his wife. We never get to that scene. We end in anticipation, left to wonder along with Anne, if the love is still, or ever was, there. Perhaps that is the author's way of trying to be true to history, which is also ambiguous or conflicted on that question.
One more small criticism I have is that there were some things that were mentioned so frequently in the book that I expected them to have some significance later on in the story. They talk about witchcraft a number of times, and we hear worries for the lives of friends who convert to the outlawed Catholic religion, but nothing ever comes of that. No arrests, no witch burnings, etc. Tangent themes that never go anywhere. Also, Anne speaks earlier on in the story about how the idea of being a single, independent woman tantalizes her, even though she knows it would be quite impossible in that age and society. Later, however, we are given the impression that all Anne has ever wanted was to have husband, home, and family. That seemed a little inconsistent. I guess she just had to have her little feminist moment to please the people of modern days with whom the joys of simply being a wife and mother often seem to be out of fashion.(less)

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Jan 05, 2010 Mrs. Foley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Anne Hathaway has always dreamed of leaving the small cottage where she and her siblings live with their critical stepmother, and when Will Shakespeare returns home and begins showing a serious interest in her, Anne must decide whether to follow her heart or play by the rules. - from library catalog

I do enjoy Carolyn Meyer's books. This one was interesting as not much is known about Shakespeare or his wife. The love story and life events of both of them was very well written and feels like it re...more

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Jul 09, 2009 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, love-story, teen-fiction

Though loosely based on history, this novel chronicled the love affair between Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare from the time Will was born until his death in 1616. Anne Hathaway met Will when he was a baby, and while Will was growing up, he always enjoyed Anne's company and flirted with her constantly. Anne lived on Hewlands Farm with her father, brash stepmother, and many siblings. After her father died, life with the stepmother got very tense, especially since her stepmother thought that...more

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May 20, 2011 Lindsay (Everyday Is An Adventure) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have a total love/hate relationship with this book. I LOVE the fact that it is historical fiction, set during the late 1500s and early 1600s...I HATE that William Shakespeare turned out to not value his marriage, his wife, or the love between them - he more valued (obviously) his relationship with theaters, acting groups, and his acting career. At least that is what is suspected by people although there is no evidence really to support much of his life.

I really did like a lot about this book -...more

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May 01, 2009 Devyn Reynolds rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-reading-list, books-on-tape, historical-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 07, 2010 Sandra Strange rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult

This time Meyer turns her imagination to Ann Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, and imagination it is, since so little of Shakespeare and Ann is known as fact. As with her other historical fiction, Meyer has Ann tell her own story. The love story is a strange one, at any rate, and Meyer has to deal with the 8 years difference in their ages, their "shotgun" wedding, with the premarital sex it involved (treated briefly and tastefully), and the fact that after not too many years, Shakespear...more

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Mar 16, 2010 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, tudor, read-in-2010

This book is about Agnes (Anne) Hathaway's youth and how she came to marry Will Shakespeare. Almost nothing is known about Shakespeare, so the author had to construct a story based on only a handful of "facts" and most of those are just generally accepted assumptions. I suspect even less is known about the girl he married. Meyer did a good job of constructing a story around those few "facts" that felt possible and true to the time period.

I love historical fiction and this was a good story for le...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Julianne rated it 2 of 5 stars

It hurt to give this two stars, because I really love Carolyn Meyer. I think this was just a case of my expectations being WAY too high for anything this novel could deliver. It also had to work against the plot of my favorite movie, "Shakespeare in Love", not to mention the ASTRONOMICALLY difficult task of treating the historical enigma that is William Shakespeare as a character and a "real" person (read: relatable). Because that's what drew me to this book, not the fact that it was about Anne...more It hurt to give this two stars, because I really love Carolyn Meyer. I think this was just a case of my expectations being WAY too high for anything this novel could deliver. It also had to work against the plot of my favorite movie, "Shakespeare in Love", not to mention the ASTRONOMICALLY difficult task of treating the historical enigma that is William Shakespeare as a character and a "real" person (read: relatable). Because that's what drew me to this book, not the fact that it was about Anne Hathaway. I thought it would be Anne Hathaway's thoughts/feelings/views about her insanely famous husband, which I would have enjoyed a lot more. Instead, I think this novel spends way too much time on Hathaway's life before she marries Will (yeah, I call him Will. Deal with it.) Given the title of the book, I thought it would be all about their relationship, but the majority of the book just feels like it's leading up to the marriage we all know is coming. When they married, Will was nine years younger than Anne, so it just seems weird to start with her knowing him AS A FREAKING INFANT and then mentioning a few times what a precocious little kid he is, and then suddenly being in love with him. It just feels like a chronology that's not backed by feelings and thus doesn't ring true.
Above all, I really wish Meyer would have taken some risks that artistic license would allow her to. Anne seems like a really flat character to me, and I wanted so badly to like her. She just puts up with all kinds of crap from everyone-her stepmother, the first guy she's betrothed to, every person she ever likes, and even Will when he leaves for London. I would have loved to see a little bitterness and some more complications that would have made me want to root for her more. And I think the book could have benefited from more complications for Will as well. Everything he says seems so vague, like it was just made for a history-channel biography, i.e. "I want to be in plays someday, Mistress Anne. I want to write poems and practice stage-fighting." I wanted to see a different, more personal side to him--one that showed that the man we've held up as the greatest playwright in the history of the English language actually had some flaws.(less)

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Nov 29, 2009 Morgan F rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, own, its-a-girl, 2000s

I did not enjoy this book. First of all, it never really struck me as a novel, but rather just a list. It seemed too "and then" to me. While the characters weren't neccesarily unlikable, I never got invested in them, even Anne herself. Also, cramming an entire person's life into a short book made it seem very rushed. As much as a decade would go by in a single chapter, and Anne would sum it up in a list of births and deaths. That's all Carolyn Meyer seemed to focus on really, was the births and...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Richard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Overall I think Loving Will Shakespeare by Carolyn Meyer is a good book. This book is about Agnes Hathaway, and her journey in the 1500's going through marriage dealing with horrid deaths, and so on. Her father dies, so she ends up with her awful stepmother who she hates, and wants her out of the house, but Agnes finds a husband who she love in Will Shakespeare. In my opinion this book had a bit of a slow start. The real suspense started about midway through the book. I think you have to be wil...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Bonnie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

Yet another $0.15 book I got from the library sale this year. The book kind of meandered, which doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. But it made the title a bit misleading, because Anne Hathaway (first person narrator of the book) knows Will all his life but doesn't really begin to start "loving" him until almost halfway through the book. But the depiction of life in 16th century rural England was interesting to read about--from Twelfth Night and Candlemas to the Catholic/Protestant schism, from the...more

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Feb 05, 2010 Karie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mature-themes

This was an interesting bit of historical fiction from the viewpoint of Anne Hathaway, William Shakespeare's wife. The writing was a bit clunky, but the story was compelling enough to keep me intrigued. By the end I cared greatly for Anne and was disappointed in Will's treatment of her, neglecting her for his career in London. But Meyer doesn't concentrate on that, instead focusing the story on Anne's life before she becomes Will's wife, allowing the reader to fully experience Anne's joy when sh...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Catherine Mustread rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen, fiction, historical, 1500s, england

90% of this teen historical romance covers the life of Agnes [Anne] Hathaway before her marriage to William Shakespeare, though he is mentioned in the first chapter when 8-year-old Anne attends his christening. His growing up and developing friendship and their growing sexual attraction is a subplot until the final chapters.

Interesting how the author has taken the very little known about Anne (and William) and developed an interesting teen novel around the bare bones with lots of historical deta...more

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May 11, 2009 Tara rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a HUGE fan of the primary source for this novel, I noticed it on top of the young adult section bookshelf at the public library and thought I'd give it a go, thinking maybe it could be used to bridge the anxiety of young adult readers and big Willy, himself.

It wasn't bad. I think it could have challenged young adult readers a bit more by infusing more original writing of Shakespeare himself, but it toyed with the notion enough to give young readers a taste of the bard's beautiful use of langu...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Rhiannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, romance-all-the-way

Anne Hathaway, a girl who longs for love. Sure she has had about five boys ask her to merry but when her neighbor William Shakespeare, comes back from a long trip he is no longer the cute funny boy who would make her smile as Anne remembered. Will is now a tall, handsome serious smart man and now he is all Anne wants.
Will he be the man for Anne?

A sweet romantic book that made me smile! The style of writting was good.
My favorite line in that book is when Will and Anne where to together Will woul...more

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Aug 05, 2009 Iska rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-love

Oh man, I just finished this awesome book. Poor Anne! What a sad, sad life. She grew up sad in a horrible household, and then continued her married life unhappy, and probably died unhappy. How terrible! And all because she got pregnant. All she wanted was a simple life, a simple household, husband, children, she didn't even care about money, she just wanted happiness! Just goes to show money truly cannot buy happiness. Boy do I appreciate my own life now even more! I, we, have choices, despite m...more

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Jan 14, 2011 Carolynne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, historical-fiction

Pleasant story about the life of Anne Hathaway (probably nee Agnes Hathaway, who knew?) before and after marrying William Shakespeare, the event for which she is known. Since few facts are known about her life there is a great deal of speculation, but there is no whitewashing of the facts that Hathaway was pregnant when she and Shakespeare were married, or that Shakespeare left his wife in Stratford while he became a prominent stage actor in London. Probably most interesting for readers interest...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Amelia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Teens

Loving Will Shakespeare
by Carolyn Meyer
Fiction

I thought that this book was really good. If you are the kind of person that likes drama or romance, then this is the book for you!!

The book is all about a girl named Agnes. It is about her life and how it was growing up back then. About how she is looking for the right guy for her. She goes through many stuggles but finally finds the right guy for her, Will Shakespear.

So do you think that they will just fall in love and get married. Well you will ha...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Amy rated it 2 of 5 stars

I found this book pretty dull and boring. I wanted to read it, because i recently did a project where i pretended to interview William Shakespeare. But i was just not very happy with this book. For one thing, it was depressing. The main character, even though she was strong character, wouldn't stop complaining about her life. And, when she finally got what she wanted, it didn't turn out how she thought it would, and she got all depressed again.(for the record her life was quite sad, so i can und...more

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Apr 08, 2010 Marsha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-secondary

I read this with a grain of salt as I realized this was intended for the YA audience as an starting point to tackle Shakespeare. It was written as a less provocative version of a Harlequin romance, but I think it was titillating enough to entice the YA reader. Carolyn Meyer inserted enough Shakespeare tidbits and lore to interest someone who wants to learn more, yet not turn off the reader who merely is looking for a little romance. This book could definitely find a space on my classroom bookshe...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Pamela Hubbard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: character-doorway, historical-fiction, language-doorway, plot-doorway, relationships, setting-doorway, young-adult

Since little is known about William Shakespeare's life, and since what is known is often questioned, it was interesting to read a fictionalized version of what life could have been like for William and his wife. The story focuses on Agnes (or Anne, as William called her)as she grew up in Stratford upon Avon. It focuses on the hardships of her family, the daily life in these times, as well as the religious and political climate that impacted everyone. Meyer did a great job of describing the preju...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Sharon rated it 5 of 5 stars

This novel of historical fiction is told from the viewpoint of Agnes Hathaway. Agnes' mother dies in a plague. Her father remarries Joan Biddle, a widow who brings order, skills, and money to the household. Joan is negative and critical toward Agnes; nothing is good enough. Because the Hathaway and the Shakespeare families are friends, Agnes and William see each other throughout their childhoods and teen years. Shakespeare is a creative person who plays instruments, writes poetry, and excels aca...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks, fiction, read-in-2012, romance

I am a little confused about this book. The title is "Loving Will Shakespeare" but that part doesn't happen until the last fourth of the book. You have to slog through three fourths of the story about Anne/Agnes and her time growing up and her family and loves and loss. Sure, WIll is mentioned since he is a neighbor and he makes appearances. But the actual loving of him part doesn't happen until right near the end. And then it feels rushed. Granted, once she realized she loved him he kinda of lo...more

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About Carolyn Meyer

Carolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by t...more

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Quotes from Loving Will Shakespeare

“But how am I to live in the meantime?' I wailed.

'Tis for you to decide,' he said. 'You can be her enemy and make yourself miserable by it, or you can endure it. If 'twere me, I'd choose endurance.” — 1 person liked it

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