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maevebm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child abuse
emmerylynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
bellaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
once again reinforcing that I have no specific taste, highly recommend this if you are ok with child death and absolutely no plot
I wish I could upload pictures so y'all could see the way I absolutely sobbed at
my happy is not having to read the words "william shakespeare" throughout this entire book
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
tw// shakespearesavmthompson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
ivyroseopal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity and Miscarriage
contemporarymeepsie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book. I thought Maggie O'Farrell's decision never to name Shakespeare and instead only to ever refer to him as 'the father', 'the husband' or 'the writer' etc was inspired. Hamnet is forgotten in history where as Shakespeare is widely renowned and remembered. This was a thought-provoking way to invert this by making Shakespeare as a character detached from the real playwright, and emphasise Hamnet's importance in the story.
I loved Agnes as a protagonist. I thought her characterisation was in-depth and interesting. I wanted to learn as much as possible about her. After Hamnet is taken the scenes of Agnes' all encompassing grief is so well written I could really emphasise with her and the gnawing hollowness she felt. O'Farrell has a real talent for describing emotions down to a T, so that you feel everything the character feels. Even in the first few chapters when Judith first becomes sick and Hamnet is desperately trying to find anyone to help; as a reader you feel his isolation resonate from the pages.
It is a truly harrowing book and I'm so glad it lived up to my expectations. If I had to critique one thing, my only issue was that part 2 is one long section broken only by paragraphs and page breaks rather then in chapters like the first part. I can understand why this was done as it only accentuates an overwhelming sense of grief and the never-ending monogamy of continuing to live after your child's death. However it is over 100 pages long and I found it difficult to find good places to pause reading each night. That was my only problem. It's the only reason I didn't give it a 5. I would definitely reread and recommend this book.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death
lucylibrarymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
sarabookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Furthermore, I liked how the first part of the book is organized in chapters and how it continuously switches from past to present; while the second part is very unstructured and blurred reflecting how the lives of the characters have also become unstructured and undefined in time as they deal with grief and tragedy.
I also appreciated how the author portrayed the different ways that the characters deal with grief. For example avoidance from the father, despair and helplessness from the mother, anger from the older sister, denial from the younger sister, etc.
One interesting aspect is the fact that William Shakespeare is never named, and the references to him are always in relation to other people (the father, the brother, the oldest son, the Latin tutor, etc) which can be a bit annoying at times since all other characters have names (besides the baker's wife). But I understand that this was a purposeful artistic choice, perhaps to not take away from the other characters and make it solely Shakespeare's story.
The ending was a bit rushed for my liking and I expected a bit more from it, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Graphic: Child death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse and Grief
knitreadkate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After this, I was engrossed and stayed up too late to finish the book.
The writing style was something I was not used to, omniscient narration that can swap from one characters view to another by a paragraph. After a short time, I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I found the writing so descriptive. I was there in the cookhouse or the garden, I could picture the rooms, the markets, the gardens. I enjoyed the focus on Agnes and her children.
I enjoyed the artistic trail of thought of the characters minds, mulling over every option of thought and following their trail of thinking to me felt like I was with the character.
I remember very little of the Shakespeare I had learned in high school and read this book without k ow much of the historical background or what the time period was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from Maggie O’Farrell.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
watykerry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic