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A review by contemporarymeepsie
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
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