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szinkle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Sexual content
joriekae's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574943819l/43890641._SY475_.jpg" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
And the [ugly] American cover:
<img src="https://static.bookofthemonth.com/covers/list/Hamnet_coverimage_MaggieOFarrell200x300.webp" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
Did I order a British copy because it was so much more beautiful? Yes, yes I did. Pro tip: You can order British versions of books from Blackwell's Bookshop and shipping is free.
On to the actual book. I was first struck by the lyrical writing. It drew me in, capturing the hearth of the Shakespeare home, enlivening the Hamnet and his mother Agnes and the other characters of this book. This is a quiet story about the ordinary moments of life, but O'Farrell draws new breath into the mundane and oft-described. I loved Agnes. She represents strong femininity, able to stand apart to be her own person and able to love and nurture and care for those around her with selflessness and maternal wisdom. I've found that in many books, strong women are portrayed in part by taking on traditionally masculine characteristics; I loved that Agnes's strength came in traditionally feminine ways. I was deeply touched by her motherly care and sorrow. The scenes following the death of Hamnet (not a spoiler; we know Hamnet dies from page one) were written with such care and patience, no rushing through the weight of burying your child. Gorgeous book
Content: Obviously, the death of a child is central to this plot. There is a bedroom scene that is a few pages long that I skimmed.
Minor: Child death and Sexual content
lara_bk's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
sehwa's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and Pregnancy
lena_and_her_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Medical content, and Death of parent
sionnac'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual content
lchelle_bester'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
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Domestic abuse
dearbhlanoonan'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
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
annoyedhumanoid'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
4.25
that out of the way, it was slow at times—part I alternates between past and present, and i felt that the past dragged on while being merely drip-fed the more interesting present—but it's a beautiful character study, heartbreaking and endearing.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Terminal illness, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Alcohol
mangogo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual content