Ceecee's Reviews > Hamnet

Maggie O’Farrell is an author I’ve always enjoyed reading but I think Hamnet will be one of my favourites. In 1596 Hamnet/Hamlet (names are interchangeable) the son of William Shakespeare died, cause unknown. This captivating story takes us backwards and forwards from 1580 to 1599 to the writing of Hamlet. In 1580 our would be actor and playwright is transfixed by his first sight of Agnes (Anne) Hathaway as he tries without great success to tutor her reluctant stepbrothers. We get a glimpse of his life at home with his tempestuous and violent father John who is a glove maker, mother Mary and sister Eliza. We watch as love grows between William and Agnes who has a Cinderella life with her harsh stepmother Joan, who is contemptuous of Agnes’ skills with herbs and magical powers. We are invited to their wedding and glimpse their family life. You hold your breath as the events unfold that lead to Hamnet’s death and it’s impact upon them and we are in the audience at the premier of the play in his name.

Where to start? This is so well written and in a style appropriate to the century. It’s lively, vivid and captures late Elizabethan times so well that you feel you have been transported back. You are dazzled by the sights, you smell the pungent smells and are a witness to the harsh and hard reality of the times. The images are so colourful as are the characters. Agnes is wonderful, William is an enigma but Agnes understands him well, Hamnet is a clever dreamer and so close to twin sister Judith they are halves of a whole. This wonderful storyline includes magical beliefs, myths and superstitions of the time. It’s an emotional ride too as there’s hatred, selfishness, bitterness, fear, anger, agony and overwhelming sadness but also deep love. You come to understand how William ends up in London and several days journey from his family and how he gets drawn into writing and the world of theatre. The ending is especially affecting and is a very powerful end to a tale you feel connected to.

Overall, this book is stunningly beautiful. I love this period and Shakespeare’s plays (some more than others!) and was lucky enough last summer to see a production of Hamlet at the Rose Theatre in York, a replica of an Elizabethan playhouse, so I guess Maggie O’Farrell already ‘had me’!! However, it doesn’t matter if you are not a fan of the work of the Bard because this is storytelling at its best. Highly recommended and an easy five stars!!

Thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline Group for the privilege of the ARC.