Reviews

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

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yeszehr's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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? It's complicated

4.75

ak7's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

4.25

lostinpaperbacks's review against another edition

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5.0

This book floored me. I was at first a bit intimidated by this one as anyone is when encountering something with Shakespeares name on it. However, this book is magnificent. It evoked such strong emotions that I cannot explain, it explored grief in such a beautiful devastating way that I couldn’t help but bawl my eyes out. It was so encapsulating. I was on the edge of my feet, I cared so much about all of the characters and wanted nothing but good things for them. This book inspired me to divulge myself into Shakespeares work. The utter mystery of Hamlet’s death is so gravitating. The language is rich, dense with meaning, and flows like a rive of unobstructed torrent of emotions. A woman, who is at the central of Shakespeares life however In biographies is no one becomes the central figure of this story, and deals with birth, death, love, and loss. And their children who are all subjectively different but in their own light so intiriuging. They are all recreated with raw precision and gentleness. It makes you not only see Shakespeare In a different light but also see the inspiration behind the man himself, who made the life around him. The point of view alternatives from just before Hamnet dies and with Agnes’s early life, her life at home, and the early times of their marriage, and what comes next. Even if we really never will know the details of their family life, the death of their son it feels so real in this book. As if this is a historical detailing of those events. It is breathtaking and every word should be savored.