46 pages 1 hour read

Maggie O’Farrell

Hamnet

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, the novel alternates between the events leading up to the death of William Shakespeare's son Hamnet in 1596, and the story of how his parents met and married. The narrative explores the family's life, particularly focusing on Hamnet's illness, the efforts to heal him, and the aftermath of his death, culminating in the creation of the play Hamlet. The book touches on themes of bereavement and illness.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet receives widespread acclaim for its poignant prose and emotional depth, skillfully blending historical fiction with intimate family drama. Critics laud its exploration of grief and loss, though some note a languid pace. Overall, it captivates with its rich character development and evocative atmosphere.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hamnet?

Readers who enjoy literary historical fiction rich in emotional depth and lyrical prose would appreciate Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet. Comparable to Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and Geraldine Brooks' Year of Wonders, it appeals to those interested in Shakespearean history and intimate family narratives.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

British Literature

Topics

History: European

Gender / Feminism

Health / Medicine

Period

Elizabethan Era

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos