Hamnet
Maggie O'Farrell
This historical fiction novel explores the heartbreaking loss of a beloved child in Shakespeare's family, and how it may have inspired his famous play, Hamlet. Set in 1580s Warwickshire, the story follows Agnes, a woman with unique gifts who settles with her husband and their children. When their son Hamnet dies at age eleven, the husband writes a play called Hamlet years later. Author Maggie O'Farrell brings Agnes's story to life with beautiful prose and offers a powerful tribute to a woman who was often overlooked by history.
Publish Date
2020-03-31T00:00:00.000Z
2020-03-31T00:00:00.000Z
Goodreads Rating
4.21
ISBN
9781472223821
Categories
Recommendations
5
Recommendations
2021-11-22T00:00:00.000Z
If you’re a Shakespeare fan, you’ll love this moving novel about how his personal life might’ve influenced the writing of one of his most famous plays. O’Farrell has built her story on two facts we know to be true about “The Bard”: his son Hamnet died at the age of 11, and a couple years later, Shakespeare wrote a tragedy called Hamlet. I especially enjoyed reading about his wife, Anne, who is imagined here as an almost supernatural figure. – source2020-06-27T16:46:04.000Z
I always enjoy posting a summer book list around this time of year. 📚 are so important IMO - especially in tough times - for wellbeing, perspective, understanding. So even though my reading has been limited this year due to COVID, here’s a few that I’ve enjoyed and recommend. – source2020-03-23T15:55:20.000Z
This book is MAGNIFICENT. Honestly! Will win prizes. It's exquisitely written, is very moving, is compelling and oddly uplifting.
Maggie O'Farrell has always written great books but this is in a different league
#MarianRecommends – source2022-08-11T13:24:04.000Z
Ooh, I cannot WAIT for this. HAMNET was one of the best books I’ve read in years. – source