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A review by saraverboom
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This book made me ugly cry like I never ugly cried before
The story starts when young Hamnet finds his twin sister Judith's health is getting worse. He rushes downstairs to find help but there is no one around. His mother is out in her garden across town, his father is off to London, his older sister and grandmother are away as well and the local doctor is not available either. The only adult he can reach is his quick to anger grandfather, who he was told to stay clear off. As the story progresses, Judith's health is getting worse. Hamnet's mother Agnes' medicinal skills are legendary but even she is powerless against the dreadful plague. While Agnes is doing whatever she can, Hamnet's older sister summons their father to come home quickly, and Hamnet wishes he could switch roles with his twin sister like they always used to. When tragedy strikes the family, they all deal with their grief in their own way.
The reader is treated to a detailed history of how Hamnet's parents met and got married, how they started their family and how his father's career and his mental health developed over the years. I really appreciated how, even though it's clear from the start that the book is about Shakespeare's family, his actual name is never mentioned. He is always referred to as "the father", "her husband", "the son", "the brother", etc. It gave way to the other characters' emotions and developments.
The writing is absolutely wonderful. Hamnet's panic while desperately seeking help for his sister was nearly tangible. Emotions were beautifully conveyed. O'Farrell chose her metaphors and similes very carefully which ensured that they hit home (for me, at least). Her description of twins being two halves of a walnut was painfully accurate and absolutely added to the emotions I felt when tragedy struck. Being one half of a walnut myself, I think I might
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction and who is not afraid to be emotionally destroyed. Fans of Shakespeare will also appreciate the Bard's background story, albeit mostly fictional.
The story starts when young Hamnet finds his twin sister Judith's health is getting worse. He rushes downstairs to find help but there is no one around. His mother is out in her garden across town, his father is off to London, his older sister and grandmother are away as well and the local doctor is not available either. The only adult he can reach is his quick to anger grandfather, who he was told to stay clear off. As the story progresses, Judith's health is getting worse. Hamnet's mother Agnes' medicinal skills are legendary but even she is powerless against the dreadful plague. While Agnes is doing whatever she can, Hamnet's older sister summons their father to come home quickly, and Hamnet wishes he could switch roles with his twin sister like they always used to. When tragedy strikes the family, they all deal with their grief in their own way.
The reader is treated to a detailed history of how Hamnet's parents met and got married, how they started their family and how his father's career and his mental health developed over the years. I really appreciated how, even though it's clear from the start that the book is about Shakespeare's family, his actual name is never mentioned. He is always referred to as "the father", "her husband", "the son", "the brother", etc. It gave way to the other characters' emotions and developments.
The writing is absolutely wonderful. Hamnet's panic while desperately seeking help for his sister was nearly tangible. Emotions were beautifully conveyed. O'Farrell chose her metaphors and similes very carefully which ensured that they hit home (for me, at least). Her description of twins being two halves of a walnut was painfully accurate and absolutely added to the emotions I felt when tragedy struck. Being one half of a walnut myself, I think I might
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction and who is not afraid to be emotionally destroyed. Fans of Shakespeare will also appreciate the Bard's background story, albeit mostly fictional.