Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

97 reviews

formerboyband's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

Despite the titular name, the true main character shines through Agnes, the remarkably irrepressible wife of Shakespeare and mother to Hamnet. The interchanging timelines, oscillating between past and present, created an emotional and striking depiction of love, grief, family, and ambition. 

The last couple chapters absolutely wrecked me, I had to pause and put down the book before pressing on, mainly because tears were making it difficult to read. Dealing with death and its aftermath in all its raw vividness was tough. My only gripe is that there were more of Hamnet’s perspective to saturate the narrative, it would’ve added even more emotional depth to an already great story. 

This was profoundly sad, beautiful, and an easy 4.5 stars for me!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Pandemic/Epidemic

cigarete_smoke's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

isabel_np's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Physical abuse

topodibiblioteca's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Blood and Death of parent

foggyoblio's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Grief, Death, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Pregnancy, Medical content, and Infidelity

emerentina's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Death, Child death, Child abuse, and Antisemitism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infidelity

tea_and_reading's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm not generally the type of person who cries when reading, but this book made me shed a tear or two. If you are interested in Shakespeare or would like to read a sad and touching account of a mother's profound love for her children I would highly recommend this book. This book is beautifully written.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Child death

Moderate: Physical abuse

theliterarylayla's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This book is a work of art.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Child death, and Child abuse

Minor: Sexual content and Sexism

ivyroseopal's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Grief, Blood, and Physical abuse

Minor: Miscarriage and Infidelity

schorlett's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Death, Child death, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Physical abuse

Minor: Abortion and Abandonment