Scan barcode
gingervandorsten's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This is one of the best books (i.e. books I enjoyed most) I have read this year. Devoured it. It felt like being taken by the hand and shown around the houses and the people living in them, and the depth of the relationships, especially between siblings and between parents and children is so impressive. There's such detail and vibrancy of O'Farrell's writing. Its structure was also really impressive to me, the way that the melancholy and the sense of tragedy are always there, but you don't really realise how far they've been building up until the tragedy actually happens.
I've seen some people comment on the fact that very little actually happens in the story, and the narrative style and language of it cover this up, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. I get this, but personally this was actually one of my favourite parts about the book - the way that O'Farrell was able to pick out such exquisite detail in everything that you don't realise until you take a step back that not very much has actually happened.
This book was so lush and it's going to take me. a while. to recover. Really recommend this.
I've seen some people comment on the fact that very little actually happens in the story, and the narrative style and language of it cover this up, which was a bit of a turn-off for me. I get this, but personally this was actually one of my favourite parts about the book - the way that O'Farrell was able to pick out such exquisite detail in everything that you don't realise until you take a step back that not very much has actually happened.
This book was so lush and it's going to take me. a while. to recover. Really recommend this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse
grboph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one took me a really long time to get through, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I've never been a fan of Shakespeare, but this book definitely gave me a new appreciation for his plays. I also really liked the descriptions of the time and place - they made the whole book feel very transportive. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or Shakespeare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Grief, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment
bps's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
abibc's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Domestic abuse
divinehealer14's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
An absolutely outstanding novel, that brings to light the (unfortunately) less-known story of William Shakespeare’s family, in particular that of Agnes (or Anne) his wife, and his son Hamnet.
I really really enjoyed this: the story is well told, gripping, well paced and the characters are fleshed out. I loved to see Agnes’ journey through motherhood and grief, and also liked to see the historical setting that surrounds her.
A well deserved, solid 4,75 stars
“Death is violent, death is a struggle. The body clings to life, as ivy to a wall, and will not easily let go, will not surrender its grip without a fight”
I really really enjoyed this: the story is well told, gripping, well paced and the characters are fleshed out. I loved to see Agnes’ journey through motherhood and grief, and also liked to see the historical setting that surrounds her.
A well deserved, solid 4,75 stars
“Death is violent, death is a struggle. The body clings to life, as ivy to a wall, and will not easily let go, will not surrender its grip without a fight”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Infidelity
xila17's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
OF COURSE Shakespeare is a drama queen
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Medical content
harrimyers's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lifeinsherds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I really liked "Hamnet", the only thing that I didn't love was the constant changing time jumps. While some of them were emotionally heavy, I sometimes had to remind myself what had happened last time we switched times. I had a difficult time keeping track of some names in the middle. I think the beginning of the book, until a POV switch and the last hundred or so pages are the best.
I would definitely recommend it to someone who was interested or familiar with Shakespeare.
I would definitely recommend it to someone who was interested or familiar with Shakespeare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Child abuse
wolfsong12's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Outstanding 😍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
benegesserwitch's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Pregnancy, Death, Terminal illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Body horror and Child abuse