Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell ★★★★★ and ❤

[John]

William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, died at age 11 of unknown causes, in 1596. The name Hamlet and Hamnet were interchageable in Elizabethan English. How did Hamnet die? What was emotional impact on the family? These are questions that inspired Maggie O'Farrell to write thisaward-winning, historical novel.

The novel opens with two threads, the death of Hamnet and his conception through a playwright and his betrothed, Agnes, a fictionalized version of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway. The story is primarily told by Agnes and Hamnet's twin, Judith. The author masterfully brings Elizabethan England, especially the countryside of Stratford-upon-Avon, to life with a richness and intimacy that feels both universal and deeply personal. The novel presents an intricate portrait of a family in mourning, and explores the ways in which grief echoes through their lives. I thought the author's description of grief, especially, of a child, was one of the best descriptions I have read.

If you are seeking a historical novel that combines rich storytelling with profound emotional exploration, Hamnet is an extraordinary and unforgettable read.

[Joy D]

I loved this book. What a wonderful mix of writing and storytelling.

[Booknblues]

I loved this book as well. So moving.

[Theresa]

Count me in the love group. Such a wonderful tale.

[Robin P]

Most people loved this but I really disliked the way she gave away the plot over and over, like telling you someone was going to die and then you have to live through all the details. Also, I didn't need to hear umpteen examples of how the woman is connected with the natural world.

[Book Concierge]

I believe the movie is coming out this winter. Saw a preview when I went to see the latest Downton Abbey movie.

[NancyJ]

I loved this too. It was hard to wake up from the book high it gave me.

[Jgrace]

Robin P wrote: "Most people loved this but I really disliked the way she gave away the plot over and over, like telling you someone was going to die and then you have to live through all the details. Also, I didn'..."

You aren’t alone, Robin. I didn’t like the heavy foreshadowing. I completely agree with John that this author wrote one of the most beautiful descriptions of grief that I’ve ever read. The book did not give me any hopeful relief from grief or a hopeful sense of renewal. I’m sure that reading it during the pandemic didn’t help my feelings about the book.
I had a better feeling when I finished Grace Tiffany’s The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter: The Continuing Adventures of Judith Shakespeare which features an elderly Judith Shakespeare.

[Barbara M]

I read this just recently also, even though it had been on my TBR for quite some time. I'm excited to hear that a movie will be coming out.

[Robin P]

I liked this author's The Marriage Portrait much better. It is also based on a historical person, but is more straightforward, while still raising interesting questions - also shorter!

[Robin P]

Book Concierge wrote: "I believe the movie is coming out this winter. Saw a preview when I went to see the latest Downton Abbey movie."

I saw that preview too, at the same movie. Our local theater had an event that encouraged dressing up, had a Downton trivia contest and tea and cakes. I went with 2 friends who are really into costumes.

The movie of Hamnet will probably have to be told with less foreshadowing, and I am curious to see it.

[Joy D]

I find the conversation about foreshadowing very interesting. Even without any foreshadowing, I imagine most people would know what's coming. I assume most readers know something about Shakespeare's life.

[Theresa]

Foreshadowing - some like it, some hate it, and some are indifferent. It's a very specific writing style and actually pops up in classic crime fiction all the time - Mary Roberts Rinehart was dubbed the queen of the "had I but known" style! It's used less now but still pops up.

Generally where events or characters that are well-known are incorporated into a plot, it never bothers me. In fact, I prefer some foreshadowing to pretending all readers have no knowledge of the history.

[Joy D]

Theresa wrote: "I prefer some foreshadowing to pretending all readers have no knowledge of the history...."
You have articulated how I feel about it.