Hamnet-relaxed buddy read starting July 5

[Jenny]

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[Jenny]

I just read the first 30 pages or so. I see what you mean about a lot of description. It does give us a sense of the place, but it doesn't bring us right into the story.

I am curious why the author has not named Shakespeare yet. We are reading about the father and the tutor but not Will. Are we not supposed to know that this is the bard's family?

Other than that, I think I like it. A boy with ADD, a girl with the plague, a jackass grandfather, and young love. This could be good. Or, this could be a chore. I haven't decided yet.

[Angela]

At first no, I don't think we are supposed to know even though the whole book centers around this family. The further you get in to the characters their roles become more obvious. It was a bit confusing for me at first too.

I was trying to figure out what plague this may have been. Of course my initial thought was small box but when I did some looking around it seems that this may have been The Justinian Plague?

[Jenny]

I don't know that one. I was thinking it was the Bubonic plague.
I have not studied extensively on the different ones though.

[Angela]

I just looked that one up and let's just say I don't think I will be hungry for dinner now.

[Jenny]

Yeah. One reason I haven't looked very deeply into the different types of plague. I am not great with the yuck factor.

[Angela]

I made it to page 169 tonight. I love Agnes even more as the story goes on. From a historical perspective I feel that the author did a pretty remarkable job with the accuracy of her descriptions.

[Marie (UK)]

Will I have time to join in this if I don't start until the weekend?

[Jenny]

Hi Marie! By all means join us. If I am done by the time you join the discussion, I will still talk about the book.

[Marie (UK)]

Jenny wrote: "Hi Marie! By all means join us. If I am done by the time you join the discussion, I will still talk about the book."

Thanks jenny

[Jenny]

I decided to make this my read at lunch during work book, so I am way behind you. Just at the (view spoiler)[John goes to Agnes' home to negotiate. What a jerk. Her step mom is no prize either. (hide spoiler)]
I do really like Agnes as well, but doesn't her childhood remind you of Cinderella?

[Angela]

No, you are right on your assessment in the spoiler section.

Now that you mention it, yes, yes it does!

So spoiler alert......I ended up finishing today so feel free to share all your comments with me as they come up.

Marie - I only finished so fast as I am leaving for vacation this weekend and didn't want to lug the hardback with me.

[Jenny]

I am about 200 pages in, and I am loving this so much. And, I know it is going to break my heart.
It really picks up after the first chapter or two. I have a feeling I will be finishing it tonight.

[Marie (UK)]

I have got to about page 50 I agree that it is veery descriptive and at the moment i feel a bit like Hamnet my attention keeps wandering.

The description does give a sense of place and creates a bit of tension - that i think is all about to come unstuck. Is the book classed as Fantasy or Magical realism? I must look as it feels a bit like that

I tend not to read the MPG's much I think i was attracted to this book for its truly beautiful red cover and the title just shouted Shakespeare which i love in its classical form as well as in the retellings.

Has anyone read New Boy or any of the others in that series they are generally amazing books

[Marie (UK)]

Jenny wrote: "I decided to make this my read at lunch during work book, so I am way behind you. Just at the [spoilers removed]
I do really like Agnes as well, but doesn't her childhood remind you of Cinderella?"

I hadn't thought of Agnes's childhood like this but yes it does bear similarities

[Jenny]

New Boy, The Gap of Time, are my favorites of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. I have not read the King Lear one yet though, and I was not a fan of the Merchant retelling.

I bought Hamnet for its pretty brown cover with the boy whose eyes are covered by a feather. And because of the Shakespeare thing.
It is not classified as fantasy, MPGs are fiction and historical fiction and the like. It does have a bit of a fantastical feel to it though, I agree. You will likely become less distracted as you go. It did take a minute for me to get into it too.

[Marie (UK)]

Jenny wrote: "New Boy, The Gap of Time, are my favorites of the Hogarth Shakespeare series. I have not read the King Lear one yet though, and I was not a fan of the Merchant retel..."

i didnt like the Shylock Is My Nameone either or Dunbar but the others were all 4 or 5 stars for me.

I am ripping through the book now love the depth of detail and like the two time lines - which i often think is an overused literary styling but it really works here.
I should finish this evening although we are having our first real life book group tonight since March of last year. I am really looking forward to it - no specific book just going to chat about what we have read in Lockdown.

[Jenny]

Ooh! Have fun at your book club. Getting back into the swing of being social is weird right now isn't it?

[Marie (UK)]

it is but I cannot wait we will sit outside for now at least it is a lovely day here

[Marie (UK)]

I have finished the book. At times i thought the storyline was drowned out in the detail. At the same time that detail allowed you to see right into the characters hearts, their thoughts and feelings were alive on the page.

I like how the author has managed to portray the differences in the way people grieve. (view spoiler)[ I think Agnes thought the playwright was not grieving for his child but she eventually realises that his play was the outpouring of his very real devastation (hide spoiler)]

I also thinks she created some real warmth for some of the less likeable or less prominent characters such as Mary and Bartholomew - i really liked him even though he has really only a cameo role

[Jenny]

The characters, once the story got going, did really jump off the page.
My only issue with the book is that I kept trying to figure out why the character of Shakespeare was not named throughout the story, and was referred to as what he was to other people any given time. It is an interesting conceit, but since I kept wondering why, it took me out of the story a bit.

[Marie (UK)]

I didnt really worry about what he was called it seemed obvious who he was but i think the author was trying to say that he was defined by his role in life - it impacted on his character and his physical and mental demeanout