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seanml's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'd never read Maggie O'Farrell before this. Her prose is immaculate. For a book with so many quiet moments, her fluidity perfectly captures the wandering mind and all of its hiccups and shortcomings. The lack of formal acknowledgement of Shakespeare allows the audience to focus on the principal characters until it matters most. That's all; wonderfully written. 8.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Chronic illness and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage and Alcohol
lauraturpin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse
loserbook's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was relatively nervous about starting this book; everyone had told me wonders about it and the idea that it would disappoint made me hesitant. However, it was not at all. This beautifully written novel on grief and motherhood has become one of my favorite books already. Its lyricism and sentimentalism style pulled me and prevented me from dropping the book at any point, always wanted to know how the current chapter would end just to continue another timeline's story in the next one... The alternating eras, that go from Hamnet's last days to his mother Agnes' younger years and the beginning of her marriage, creates an addictive loop that will make you want to see the mysterious characters' lives without missing a detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
aaliyah_lomas15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It personally didn't feel like a focus on and celebration of Hamnet's life like it promises. However, the ending is incredibly powerful, I loved it. I found it difficult to get into the novel at the beginning. The writing when focused on Hamnet and Judith being ill didn't grasp me. However, the chapters focused on the past with the Latin Tutor/Brother/Father (eventually) and Agnes hooked me, I couldn't wait to read those chapters. After Hamnet's death, the author explores grief superbly and beautifully lyrically. And, did I mention? WOW that ending. Powerful, beautiful, brilliant. The writing didn't hook me throughout the entire novel, I found it a bit clunky and very heavy on the similes and metaphors, but it works beautifully in that last third of the novel. Overall, I recommend this pretty highly just for the Agnes storyline and the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse
mladd28's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely beautiful and absolutely heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Death and Miscarriage
dckathleen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was sad, and well written. I get the choice not to use Shakespeare's name, but there were times when using his name would have made sense. It was interesting to read about life in the late 1500s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
haley313's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I didn’t know anything about the personal life of Shakespeare or his family prior to reading this book, though as others have noted this is essentially a story about Agnes. I think the writing was lovely, and I enjoyed many of the characters. The description of the travel of the plague was fascinating. There were several scenes that made me weep. I loved the tender depictions of womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood. However, I feel like the magic waned for me in the last quarter of the book. I didn’t love the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Child abuse
gloriazthompson's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
memoirsofabooklover's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol