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bellaa's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
it didn't give me that five star feeling
once again reinforcing that I have no specific taste, highly recommend this if you are ok with child death and absolutely no plot
I wish I could upload pictures so y'all could see the way I absolutely sobbed atthe description of his father coming upon the scene of his death, seeing Judith alive and being so happy, then realizing who was missing . as my mom said, "you need some happy"
my happy is not having to read the words "william shakespeare" throughout this entire book
once again reinforcing that I have no specific taste, highly recommend this if you are ok with child death and absolutely no plot
I wish I could upload pictures so y'all could see the way I absolutely sobbed at
my happy is not having to read the words "william shakespeare" throughout this entire book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Animal death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
tw// shakespearesavmthompson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
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
contemporarymeepsie's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
Hamnet tells the fictional story of William Shakespeare's real son who died when still a child and inspired one of his greatest tragedies, Hamlet.
I really loved this book. I thought Maggie O'Farrell's decision never to name Shakespeare and instead only to ever refer to him as 'the father', 'the husband' or 'the writer' etc was inspired. Hamnet is forgotten in history where as Shakespeare is widely renowned and remembered. This was a thought-provoking way to invert this by making Shakespeare as a character detached from the real playwright, and emphasise Hamnet's importance in the story.
I loved Agnes as a protagonist. I thought her characterisation was in-depth and interesting. I wanted to learn as much as possible about her. After Hamnet is taken the scenes of Agnes' all encompassing grief is so well written I could really emphasise with her and the gnawing hollowness she felt. O'Farrell has a real talent for describing emotions down to a T, so that you feel everything the character feels. Even in the first few chapters when Judith first becomes sick and Hamnet is desperately trying to find anyone to help; as a reader you feel his isolation resonate from the pages.
It is a truly harrowing book and I'm so glad it lived up to my expectations. If I had to critique one thing, my only issue was that part 2 is one long section broken only by paragraphs and page breaks rather then in chapters like the first part. I can understand why this was done as it only accentuates an overwhelming sense of grief and the never-ending monogamy of continuing to live after your child's death. However it is over 100 pages long and I found it difficult to find good places to pause reading each night. That was my only problem. It's the only reason I didn't give it a 5. I would definitely reread and recommend this book.
I really loved this book. I thought Maggie O'Farrell's decision never to name Shakespeare and instead only to ever refer to him as 'the father', 'the husband' or 'the writer' etc was inspired. Hamnet is forgotten in history where as Shakespeare is widely renowned and remembered. This was a thought-provoking way to invert this by making Shakespeare as a character detached from the real playwright, and emphasise Hamnet's importance in the story.
I loved Agnes as a protagonist. I thought her characterisation was in-depth and interesting. I wanted to learn as much as possible about her. After Hamnet is taken the scenes of Agnes' all encompassing grief is so well written I could really emphasise with her and the gnawing hollowness she felt. O'Farrell has a real talent for describing emotions down to a T, so that you feel everything the character feels. Even in the first few chapters when Judith first becomes sick and Hamnet is desperately trying to find anyone to help; as a reader you feel his isolation resonate from the pages.
It is a truly harrowing book and I'm so glad it lived up to my expectations. If I had to critique one thing, my only issue was that part 2 is one long section broken only by paragraphs and page breaks rather then in chapters like the first part. I can understand why this was done as it only accentuates an overwhelming sense of grief and the never-ending monogamy of continuing to live after your child's death. However it is over 100 pages long and I found it difficult to find good places to pause reading each night. That was my only problem. It's the only reason I didn't give it a 5. I would definitely reread and recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death
lucylibrarymouse's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
sarabookshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This is my second Maggie O'Farrell book, and I have to say I enjoyed "Hamnet" more than the "Marriage Portrait". I feel that all the characters were fleshed out, their relationships and interactions quite realistic, and the storytelling was beautiful. I was worried that reading about 16th century England might be somewhat boring, but it was actually fascinating. The magical aspects of the book were spell-binding, and I particularly liked the witchyness and magical qualities of Agnes' character, as well as Hamnet's and Judith's relationship as twins.
Furthermore, I liked how the first part of the book is organized in chapters and how it continuously switches from past to present; while the second part is very unstructured and blurred reflecting how the lives of the characters have also become unstructured and undefined in time as they deal with grief and tragedy.
I also appreciated how the author portrayed the different ways that the characters deal with grief. For example avoidance from the father, despair and helplessness from the mother, anger from the older sister, denial from the younger sister, etc.
One interesting aspect is the fact that William Shakespeare is never named, and the references to him are always in relation to other people (the father, the brother, the oldest son, the Latin tutor, etc) which can be a bit annoying at times since all other characters have names (besides the baker's wife). But I understand that this was a purposeful artistic choice, perhaps to not take away from the other characters and make it solely Shakespeare's story.
The ending was a bit rushed for my liking and I expected a bit more from it, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Furthermore, I liked how the first part of the book is organized in chapters and how it continuously switches from past to present; while the second part is very unstructured and blurred reflecting how the lives of the characters have also become unstructured and undefined in time as they deal with grief and tragedy.
I also appreciated how the author portrayed the different ways that the characters deal with grief. For example avoidance from the father, despair and helplessness from the mother, anger from the older sister, denial from the younger sister, etc.
One interesting aspect is the fact that William Shakespeare is never named, and the references to him are always in relation to other people (the father, the brother, the oldest son, the Latin tutor, etc) which can be a bit annoying at times since all other characters have names (besides the baker's wife). But I understand that this was a purposeful artistic choice, perhaps to not take away from the other characters and make it solely Shakespeare's story.
The ending was a bit rushed for my liking and I expected a bit more from it, but overall, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Child death
Moderate: Grief and Child abuse
knitreadkate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I found it difficult during the first 10-15% of the book to settle into the world and its characters.
After this, I was engrossed and stayed up too late to finish the book.
The writing style was something I was not used to, omniscient narration that can swap from one characters view to another by a paragraph. After a short time, I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I found the writing so descriptive. I was there in the cookhouse or the garden, I could picture the rooms, the markets, the gardens. I enjoyed the focus on Agnes and her children.
I was absolutely heart broken when Hamnet drew his last breath and couldn’t tear myself away from Agnes’ pain.
I enjoyed the artistic trail of thought of the characters minds, mulling over every option of thought and following their trail of thinking to me felt like I was with the character.
I remember very little of the Shakespeare I had learned in high school and read this book without k ow much of the historical background or what the time period was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from Maggie O’Farrell.
After this, I was engrossed and stayed up too late to finish the book.
The writing style was something I was not used to, omniscient narration that can swap from one characters view to another by a paragraph. After a short time, I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I found the writing so descriptive. I was there in the cookhouse or the garden, I could picture the rooms, the markets, the gardens. I enjoyed the focus on Agnes and her children.
I enjoyed the artistic trail of thought of the characters minds, mulling over every option of thought and following their trail of thinking to me felt like I was with the character.
I remember very little of the Shakespeare I had learned in high school and read this book without k ow much of the historical background or what the time period was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from Maggie O’Farrell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Pregnancy, Animal death, and Death
watykerry's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
laguerrelewis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book deserves all its praise. Maggie O’Farrell manages to use the true life of the Hathaways/Shakespeares to craft a beautiful tale of love, grief, mourning, connection, potential, and remembrances. Her prose rolls ever forward like a cool stream, turning over every rock in its path but still brimming with energy and momentum. Simultaneously both one of easiest flowing reads I’ve encountered, and one of the most heart-wrenching. A rewarding read I think I’ll be returning to frequently, and a great way to close out my year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Animal death, Terminal illness, Child death, Grief, Excrement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
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