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A review by joriekae
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'll start with the cover. The hardback version of this book comes in two styles. The gorgeous British cover:
<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574943819l/43890641._SY475_.jpg" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
And the [ugly] American cover:
<img src="https://static.bookofthemonth.com/covers/list/Hamnet_coverimage_MaggieOFarrell200x300.webp" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
Did I order a British copy because it was so much more beautiful? Yes, yes I did. Pro tip: You can order British versions of books from Blackwell's Bookshop and shipping is free.
On to the actual book. I was first struck by the lyrical writing. It drew me in, capturing the hearth of the Shakespeare home, enlivening the Hamnet and his mother Agnes and the other characters of this book. This is a quiet story about the ordinary moments of life, but O'Farrell draws new breath into the mundane and oft-described. I loved Agnes. She represents strong femininity, able to stand apart to be her own person and able to love and nurture and care for those around her with selflessness and maternal wisdom. I've found that in many books, strong women are portrayed in part by taking on traditionally masculine characteristics; I loved that Agnes's strength came in traditionally feminine ways. I was deeply touched by her motherly care and sorrow. The scenes following the death of Hamnet (not a spoiler; we know Hamnet dies from page one) were written with such care and patience, no rushing through the weight of burying your child. Gorgeous book
Content: Obviously, the death of a child is central to this plot. There is a bedroom scene that is a few pages long that I skimmed.
<img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1574943819l/43890641._SY475_.jpg" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
And the [ugly] American cover:
<img src="https://static.bookofthemonth.com/covers/list/Hamnet_coverimage_MaggieOFarrell200x300.webp" width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
Did I order a British copy because it was so much more beautiful? Yes, yes I did. Pro tip: You can order British versions of books from Blackwell's Bookshop and shipping is free.
On to the actual book. I was first struck by the lyrical writing. It drew me in, capturing the hearth of the Shakespeare home, enlivening the Hamnet and his mother Agnes and the other characters of this book. This is a quiet story about the ordinary moments of life, but O'Farrell draws new breath into the mundane and oft-described. I loved Agnes. She represents strong femininity, able to stand apart to be her own person and able to love and nurture and care for those around her with selflessness and maternal wisdom. I've found that in many books, strong women are portrayed in part by taking on traditionally masculine characteristics; I loved that Agnes's strength came in traditionally feminine ways. I was deeply touched by her motherly care and sorrow. The scenes following the death of Hamnet (not a spoiler; we know Hamnet dies from page one) were written with such care and patience, no rushing through the weight of burying your child. Gorgeous book
Content: Obviously, the death of a child is central to this plot. There is a bedroom scene that is a few pages long that I skimmed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Sexual content