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book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Subtitle: A Novel of the Plague
From the frontspiece
HISTORICAL NOTE
In the 1580s, a couple living on Henley Street, Stratford, had three children: Susanna, then Hamnet and Judith, who were twins
The boy, Hamnet, died in 1596, aged eleven.
Four years or so later, the father wrote a play called Hamlet.
My reactions
Wow. You think you know where a story is headed because you know something of the historical figures depicted, and then an author completely surprises you.
O’Farrell focuses the story on Agnes, the wife, mother, sister, daughter, stepdaughter and daughter-in-law. She peoples the novel with a wide variety of villagers: shopkeepers, cleric, farmers, midwife, and neighbors; all of whom give the reader a sense of time and place and who provide a vivid background for the intimate story she tells.
Gosh but I loved Agnes … a strong-willed young woman who knew her worth and her gifts, a loving wife and mother, a woman struck down by tragedy, and a woman who harnessed her anger to seek truth.
The writing is beautiful and engaging. I kept reading passages aloud. The last 20 pages or so were simply marvelous. And the last line … perfect.
I can hardly wait for my book club discussion!
From the frontspiece
HISTORICAL NOTE
In the 1580s, a couple living on Henley Street, Stratford, had three children: Susanna, then Hamnet and Judith, who were twins
The boy, Hamnet, died in 1596, aged eleven.
Four years or so later, the father wrote a play called Hamlet.
My reactions
Wow. You think you know where a story is headed because you know something of the historical figures depicted, and then an author completely surprises you.
O’Farrell focuses the story on Agnes, the wife, mother, sister, daughter, stepdaughter and daughter-in-law. She peoples the novel with a wide variety of villagers: shopkeepers, cleric, farmers, midwife, and neighbors; all of whom give the reader a sense of time and place and who provide a vivid background for the intimate story she tells.
Gosh but I loved Agnes … a strong-willed young woman who knew her worth and her gifts, a loving wife and mother, a woman struck down by tragedy, and a woman who harnessed her anger to seek truth.
The writing is beautiful and engaging. I kept reading passages aloud. The last 20 pages or so were simply marvelous. And the last line … perfect.
I can hardly wait for my book club discussion!
spicyyyyy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
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
4.5
mogffm3's review against another edition
3.0
With all the awards, reviews, and discussion, I knew I had to read the book so I could join conversation, even though I knew it might not quite be for me.
I can appreciate the writing and the story; author is a good writer. Yet, I was never drawn into the story. I never related to Agnes or any of the characters. I just wanted the story to end.
But to be fair, I'm the girl who reads to get away from sadness & tragedy, so a book on the death of the child, Hamnet, and portrayals of how his family coped with such a loss is sort of depressing to me. And then, it just ended, rather abruptly.
I felt the narrator did a nice job.
I can appreciate the writing and the story; author is a good writer. Yet, I was never drawn into the story. I never related to Agnes or any of the characters. I just wanted the story to end.
But to be fair, I'm the girl who reads to get away from sadness & tragedy, so a book on the death of the child, Hamnet, and portrayals of how his family coped with such a loss is sort of depressing to me. And then, it just ended, rather abruptly.
I felt the narrator did a nice job.
louvs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
went in expecting a story about shakespeare’s son but ended up absolutely loving the story of his wife - for me agnes was the absolute star, her characterisation was so brilliant: i loved her old english folklore- witch-esque aura, the portrayal of her motherhood, the story of her relationship to her family and children and husband. i loved the world-building of agnes’ world too, an immersive sixteenth century stratford! but everything else was definitely secondary to her though - i honestly wanted to get more from the shakespearean context but that’s more a fault of my expectations rather than the novel itself, because ultimately it wasn’t about him or his plays. and i’m such a sucker for beautiful prose too but even for me certain parts felt a little overwritten - but still, a very beautiful, tragic, enjoyable read
laelyn's review against another edition
5.0
Judith und Hamnet besticht durch einen wunderschönen Schreibstil und eine Geschichte, die ans Herz geht. Ich wusste zuvor ehrlich gesagt nichts über Hamnet und den Ursprung von Shakespeares' berühmtem Stück und war daher besonders gespannt darauf, Maggie O'Farrell's Version der Geschichte zu lesen.
Am Anfang hat es eine Weile gebraucht, bis mich diese Geschichte in ihren Bann gezogen hat. Die ersten paar Kapitel bestehen hauptsächlich aus sehr detaillierten Beschreibungen, die zwar schön zu lesen sind, aber sich doch ein wenig hinziehen und überfordernd wirken. Mit jeder Seite, die ich las, wuchs dann aber meine Faszination. Der Schreibstil hat beinahe schon etwas Märchenhaftes. Die Geschichte erzählt sowohl von Hamnets Schicksal, als auch von den Jahren zuvor. Agnes ist eine durch und durch interessante Protagonistin, die ich so in diesem Buch nicht erwartet habe.
Gefallen hat mir auch, dass der Fokus hier auf den Frauen liegt - dies ist keine Geschichte über Shakespeare, sondern über seine Familie und den Schmerz, den der Tod des Sohnes über sie hereinbrechen lässt.
Es ist vor allem die emotionale Wucht, die diese Geschichte so besonders macht. Ich hatte Tränen in den Augen, konnte die Trauer und Verzweiflung nachempfinden. Eine absolute Leseempfehlung für alle, die gefühlvolle, charakterfokussierte Bücher lieben.
Am Anfang hat es eine Weile gebraucht, bis mich diese Geschichte in ihren Bann gezogen hat. Die ersten paar Kapitel bestehen hauptsächlich aus sehr detaillierten Beschreibungen, die zwar schön zu lesen sind, aber sich doch ein wenig hinziehen und überfordernd wirken. Mit jeder Seite, die ich las, wuchs dann aber meine Faszination. Der Schreibstil hat beinahe schon etwas Märchenhaftes. Die Geschichte erzählt sowohl von Hamnets Schicksal, als auch von den Jahren zuvor. Agnes ist eine durch und durch interessante Protagonistin, die ich so in diesem Buch nicht erwartet habe.
Gefallen hat mir auch, dass der Fokus hier auf den Frauen liegt - dies ist keine Geschichte über Shakespeare, sondern über seine Familie und den Schmerz, den der Tod des Sohnes über sie hereinbrechen lässt.
Es ist vor allem die emotionale Wucht, die diese Geschichte so besonders macht. Ich hatte Tränen in den Augen, konnte die Trauer und Verzweiflung nachempfinden. Eine absolute Leseempfehlung für alle, die gefühlvolle, charakterfokussierte Bücher lieben.
larissabee's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0