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bonluvdon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Grief, Physical abuse, Death, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Alcohol and Pregnancy
cookiehuggles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Physical abuse
alice_clay'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
4.75
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Physical abuse
evieolive's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Child death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gore, Infidelity, Medical content, Animal death, and Body horror
bootsmom3'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
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Death, Child death, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Infidelity, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
yooniereads'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Medical content, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
ekclar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death and Physical abuse
Minor: Child abuse
taranim'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? No
4.75
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‘What is the word, Judith asks her mother, for someone who was a twin but is no longer a twin?’
Hamnet is an exquisitely lyrical and heartbreaking novel that imagines the events that led up to, and take place after, the death of William Shakespeare’s only son. Only we are never given the name of the man himself - he is always referred to as the Latin tutor, the husband, the father. This allows his family to shine, particularly his wife Agnes (known to history as Anne Hathaway).
I loved this story. The writing was beautiful, and the differing perspectives in the novel flowed rather than taking away from or slowing the narrative. Mind you, it is not a quick read by any means, but it’s not supposed to be. It is a study of characters, of complex family dynamics, of illness, and of grief. I was particularly fascinated by the relationship between Hamnet and his twin Judith, and by the way the novel explored each parent’s reaction to the loss of their child.
The only reason that I didn’t give it a 5-star review is because, while the writing was beautiful, I felt at times it was a tad overwritten. There were moments that could have benefited from a simpler phrase, a less detailed metaphor. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story however so it is only a small thing.
Moderate: Child death, Death, Pregnancy, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse and Physical abuse
helena_sp_07'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Violence, and Blood
elisabeth_with_an_ess'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
Most of the reviews I've seen focus on the fact that Shakespeare's name is never used in this book, so as someone who has had a massive crush on the man for the past decade (I know I'm pathetic), I was worried that this book would be some sort of anti-Shax manifesto about how he was a horrible family man. But if you've had the same fear, rest assured... O'Farrell's characterization of him is by far the best I've ever seen. It truly felt like she knows the same man I do, and that was a beautiful thing.
But enough about him. Every single character is written with such sensitivity and real "humanity" that I feel as if I have lived in Stratford with them my whole life. I love every single one of them. Well. Okay, there are two that I hate, but even those two are written with understanding and grace. Beyond the characters, the words themselves are lyrical and stunning.
Read. This. Book
Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, Death, Physical abuse, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism