A review by aaliyah_lomas15
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

challenging dark 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

3.75

It personally didn't feel like a focus on and celebration of Hamnet's life like it promises. However, the ending is incredibly powerful, I loved it. I found it difficult to get into the novel at the beginning. The writing when focused on Hamnet and Judith being ill didn't grasp me. However, the chapters focused on the past with the Latin Tutor/Brother/Father (eventually) and Agnes hooked me, I couldn't wait to read those chapters. After Hamnet's death, the author explores grief superbly and beautifully lyrically. And, did I mention? WOW that ending. Powerful, beautiful, brilliant. The writing didn't hook me throughout the entire novel, I found it a bit clunky and very heavy on the similes and metaphors, but it works beautifully in that last third of the novel. Overall, I recommend this pretty highly just for the Agnes storyline and the ending. 
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