Big Books of 2026
Hamnet

Questions About Hamnet

by Maggie O'Farrell (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Hamnet, please sign up.

Answered Questions (49)

Any thoughts on why Shakespeare is the only character never mentioned by name?
Yakki the Yakkicorn I interpreted it this way:

Everyone knows who William Shakespeare is by his deeds, not who he was as a person. The book's focus was on W. Shakespeare's…moreI interpreted it this way:

Everyone knows who William Shakespeare is by his deeds, not who he was as a person. The book's focus was on W. Shakespeare's wife, referred to as Agnes in the book. If W. Shakespeare's name was mentioned, the focus would be on him, as he is the better known person, undermining the book. But by never seeing his name, we aren't distracted by it.

Also, I'd like to reiterate that this book is mainly about Agnes. We see W. Shakespeare through her eyes: not the adoring fans, the English royalty, the actors who preformed his plays, but his wife. Agnes sees W. Shakespeare as her husband and the father of her children first, and the great playwright second. And as I have said, "the great playwright" comes with a whole set of memory cues: calligraphy on yellowed paper, dozens of plays, men (and later women) in tights and dresses, etc. By not seeing him portrayed as the great playwright first, we avoid those cues and get to see him as a real person with real attributes and flaws. In essence, we get to see his fictionalized character as a human, not a set of plays. (less)
flag
I am confused. Is "Hamnet" the same book as "Hamnet and Judith"?
Merrily "Hamnet" was published under the title "Hamnet and Judith" in the U.K.…more"Hamnet" was published under the title "Hamnet and Judith" in the U.K.(less)
flag
Did anyone else read the flea thing and think: that doesn't make sense? Fleas can't live that long without a host? Because I feel a real knobber for doing that.
Mark Cofta Even if an individual flea does not survive for long, they multiply so persistently that they seem indestructible. As a life-long cat owner, I can att…moreEven if an individual flea does not survive for long, they multiply so persistently that they seem indestructible. As a life-long cat owner, I can attest to how tenacious fleas can be. (less)
flag
Why is John hiding wool bales in the attic near the beginning of the book? "...her brother spoke up and asked why the attic was filled with wool bales, and what was their intended purpose? Their father leant across the cart and seized a fistful of his son's jerkin. There are no wool bales in this house, he said, giving his son a shake with each work. Is that clear?" pg 70-71 in the Canadian publication.
Karen It's because the crafts guilds (what we would call unions today) were very strong back then, so it would be illegal for a glover (one guild) to make w…moreIt's because the crafts guilds (what we would call unions today) were very strong back then, so it would be illegal for a glover (one guild) to make wool cloth (a different guild). The rules were very strict and penalties likely severe...and we already know that John had fallen from his high standing in the community for shady practices.(less)
flag
I am so enjoying this book, but I got a bit confused as to why Mary and John's daughter(s) Joan# 1 and Joan #3 is given the name of 'Eliza' in each case? Can anyone help me in this? Many thanks
Kate The author addresses this in the 'Author's Note' section of the book: "Hamnet's sole surviving paternal aunt was called not Eliza but Joan (as was the…moreThe author addresses this in the 'Author's Note' section of the book: "Hamnet's sole surviving paternal aunt was called not Eliza but Joan (as was the eldest sister who predeceased her); I took the liberty of changing it because the doubling up of names, while common in parish records of the time, can be confusing for readers of a novel."(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more