A review by loserbook
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

emotional 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

5.0

I was relatively nervous about starting this book; everyone had told me wonders about it and the idea that it would disappoint made me hesitant. However, it was not at all. This beautifully written novel on grief and motherhood has become one of my favorite books already. Its lyricism and sentimentalism style pulled me and prevented me from dropping the book at any point, always wanted to know how the current chapter would end just to continue another timeline's story in the next one... The alternating eras, that go from Hamnet's last days to his mother Agnes' younger years and the beginning of her marriage, creates an addictive loop that will make you want to see the mysterious characters' lives without missing a detail.

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