Bookseller Reviews
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Profound and sparkling historical fiction
When new books are so hyped I’m often put off, mostly out of a stubborn unwillingness to be reading what everyone else is. However, when the rave reviews a... READ MORE
Flawless
‘Hamnet’ is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. Maggie O’Farrell never disappoints me and this new novel, whilst being a slight change from her us... READ MORE
Gorgeous and devastating
The first book in a long while that I’ve had to put down and take a break from (to let my sobs subside and piece myself back together). This was my first M... READ MORE
A deserving winner of Book of the Year
What an achievement. To take a name so famous and weave the story of that person's life. I was moved to tears multiple times while reading. I shall be rec... READ MORE
3.5 stars
I must be the only person ever that did not enjoy this book. I personally thought it was mediocre and I found it extremely hard to connect or even like the... READ MORE
Silky beautiful writing
The writing is nothing less than silky. Almost like reading a diary of thoughts and dialogue as well as description. The female characters feature strongly... READ MORE
Entrancing
Not being a great fan of Shakespeare I thought I would give this a go.It is a fictional story of Shakespeare's son Hamnet. Although Shakespeare is not men... READ MORE
Beautiful writing
Having read Maggie o'Farrell before in 'I am, I am , I am ', Hamnet is not at all what I expected from her writing. This piece of historical fiction was w... READ MORE
A study of grief and love
This is the special Waterstones book of the year edition, and what a gorgeous gift book it is!
It begins with a young boy, Hamnet, stumbling down stairs, ... READ MORE
I need to return to Stratford to revist Shakespeares early life.
The imagined life of William Shakespeare's son who died age 11.How his father met his mother Agnes(Anne)Hathaway,how the family lived with Williams parents... READ MORE
Beautiful, Heartbreaking, Exceptional
It is rare I cannot find the words to describe a book but this is one of those occasions. The book felt slow but in the perfect way the detailed descriptio... READ MORE
An astoundingly clear portrait of grief.
Once I began reading Hamnet i could not put it down. It was so enjoyable to explore the short life of this little boy, and it was a joy to be immersed in t... READ MORE
A Gorgeous Meditation on Grief
I've loved Maggie O'Farrell ever since I read The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox. Her subject matter ranges far and wide, but you can always trust that whate... READ MORE
Beautiful
A beautifully written and touching tale centred around the people who shaped William Shakespeare and one of his most famous plays. I fell in love with the ... READ MORE
An Ode To Love And Loss
"Hamnet" is a slow burning triumph. An ode to love and loss and following your dreams, a love letter to breaking the mold. O'Farrell's inspiration from the... READ MORE
Synopsis
The no. 1 bestseller that inspired the major film starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.
A love that draws them together. A loss that threatens to tear them apart.
The untold love story that inspired Shakespeare's greatest masterpiece.
On a summer's day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a sudden fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Why is nobody at home?
Their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away, in the garden where she grows medicinal herbs. Their father is working in London.
Neither parent knows that Hamnet will not survive the week.
Hamnet tells the powerful story of Agnes and Will, and of the son whose life has been all but forgotten, but who inspired one of the greatest plays ever written.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
- ISBN: 9781035431335
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 28 mm
- Weight: 269g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allLingers Long After Reading
In this emotive historical yarn, O’Farrell reconstructs the life and death of Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet. Four years after his son's passing, he would write... READ MORE
Extraordinary
I’m always a little wary about reviewing books as hyped as this one has been, and by authors as revered as Maggie O’Farrell. One wonders if the books, and ... READ MORE
Simply stunning
Maggie O’Farrell has to be one of the nations beloved authors, so it always a treat when she releases a new book. Hamnet is a book she says she has been wa... READ MORE
The story of the family of a "famous playwright" - a superb evocation of love and loss in the Elizabethan era
A boy in Stratford is looking for his mother, or anyone, really, because his sister is ill. He runs through his house, the workshop, the gardens, the stree... READ MORE
A surprising disappointment...
Despite being a Womens Prize for Fiction winner(how on earth do you define Womens Fiction??????)I put aside my reservations and bought this book. I confess... READ MORE
Very moving
This is such a moving story. I love all her books, but this might be her best. It is so well imagined and I felt like I was transported back in time, it is... READ MORE
Loved this book
As much as I’ve enjoyed O’Farrell’s writing over the years, I think this is her best yet. She manages to combine fiction with history without confusing th... READ MORE
Life and death of Hamnet Shakespeare with the rise of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet the prince of Denmark
I love anything to do with William Shakespeare and this book is based on the life and death of Hamnet Shakespeare .
It makes William Shakespeare think of ... READ MORE
A beautiful rendition
A tale of the short life of William Shakespeare’s only sons’-short life and the effects Hamnet’s untimely death has upon his family members. A magical and ... READ MORE
Hamnet
This is another very strong contender for this year's Women's Prize. It is a historical novel, but because the events and lives O'Farrell describes are alm... READ MORE
Real life tragedy sparks brilliant drama and fiction
I've come to believe that the best fiction and drama is sparked by real life (often tragic) events and nowhere is this better illustrated than in Maggie O... READ MORE
One of the best books I've ever read
I loved Hamnet from the first to the last word. The story is gripping, moving, and page-turning, and it feels like living it rather than just reading about... READ MORE
Stunning Reimagining of Shakespeare’s Life
Beautifully written, O’Farrell is a master storyteller. I wish I could give this more than five stars. It’s a simple story of a family who lose a child, bu... READ MORE
Maggie is magic
Maggie O’Farrell never disappoints. Her work is like no one else’s. Hamnet is totally absorbing. It made me research the life of Shakespeare a little more ... READ MORE
Even for those who don't love historical fiction
I resisted reading Hamnet for quite a while, but in the end the weight of peer pressure won out, as so many people (okay three) recommended this to me. I'm... READ MORE
An Interesting Read.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Very well written, and gave an insight into life
in England in the 16th Century.
I found it absorbing and quite a "pa... READ MORE
One of the best books I've ever read.
Firstly I can fully understand just why this became Waterstones Book of the Year for 2020.
Profoundly moving...
Within the dust-jacket we are told that Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright. It is a story of the bond between twins, and of a mar... READ MORE
Historical fiction perfection!
10 out of 10
What. A. Book. When I found out that Maggie O'Farrell was writing a historical fiction I was excited... like extremely excited. Some of her p... READ MORE
Emotional reading
I really enjoyed reading this book, the author’s style made it very gripping. The first half of the book with Agnes and the tutor (Shakespeare’s not named)... READ MORE
Hamnet
A wonderful book by a really fine writer -didn't want it to end
The Bard would be proud of Maggie O’Farrell’s masterpiece.
‘’Then Judith is in a crowd. It is night- time, cold; the glow of lanterns punctuates the freezing dark. She thinks it is the Candlemas fair. She is in and... READ MORE
Beautifully evocative but sad.
Really well-written and wonderful atmosphere. Clever handling of the writer himself, who is almost totally a shadow in this story. But unremittingly sad. O... READ MORE
When it's good it's very, very good...
...but the to-ing and fro-ing, the laboured feyness and the unnecessarily vast cast of indistinguishable extras drove me mad.
As did the fact that one char... READ MORE
Brilliant book
I am just rereading Hamnet for my book group.
I think it is even better the second time around. The detail is absolutely wonderful, and the writing style ... READ MORE
Fabulous and well written
Well worth reading
Much Ado About Nothing
The author conveys the pain of parental grief powerfully. This is the only positive I can say about this novel. The prose is utterly turgid and annoyingly ... READ MORE
Much Ado About Nothing
I regret wasting my time reading this. The prose is turgid, repetitive, and over-laden with similes and metaphors. The plot is non-existent, apart from: a ... READ MORE
Truly Beautiful
A truly beautiful and lyrical piece of work by Maggie O’Farrell.
‘Hamnet’ takes you on a journey from two alternate timeline perspectives, with such ea... READ MORE
A good read
I really enjoyed this book. It was moving and really gripped me. Although it was set in 16th and 17th centuries it has relevance to today. I recommend ... READ MORE
Most moving book I’ve ever read
I love both history and Shakespeare, however I was very hesitant to read Hamnet due to my dislike of ‘fantasising’ history eventually the reviews persuaded... READ MORE
Exquisitely crafted - a joy to read
A beautiful Waterstones edition complements the quality of Maggie's book.
The prose is a delight.
The story has so many different tones and wonderfully wor... READ MORE
Beautiful and engaging
This is a beautiful book, both for the story and the writing. Fascinating characters and an engaging plot. Highly recommended.
Fully deserves it’s awards.
A truly wonderful portrait of a family, beautifully written with sensitively drawn characters. Maggie O’Farrell has taken the few known facts about the Sha... READ MORE
Felt like fanfiction
This was beautifully written, but it felt very much like some kind of Shakespeare fanfiction more than a historical fiction which I didn’t get along with. ... READ MORE
Really enjoyed this
I was familiar with Hamlet and the background but wasn't prepared for what I was about to read.
It was simply brilliant, I loved the attention to detail.Th... READ MORE
Lovely and sad story
Based on real events. Very readable and chosen for our Bookclub to review - well received!
A fine example of the Historical Fiction genre.
It is quite simply a masterpiece in historical fiction. I truly enjoyed it from start to finish. I don't think you can be disappointed by this book, I simp... READ MORE
Hamnet
Sublime
Loved this book
Was a little bit sceptical before reading but absolutely so enjoyed the read. So well written it was easy to picture the characters, the countryside and th... READ MORE
There are better Shakespeare-adjacent retellings
This was so uneven.
Poor characterisation throughout. I don't know why Agnes/Anne Hathaway has been depicted as some witchy forest child sorceress who can... READ MORE
Intriguing story
I love Maggie as an author! Her writing style draws me in every time & her way with words is captivating.
I didn’t really know much about Shakespeare (fo... READ MORE
Fabulous book!
So well written. Fabulous!
What a Book…
I’d never read anything by Maggie O’Farrell before. Whilst I’d read Shakespeare at school and picked up lots of references in novels set in Elizabethan tim... READ MORE
Spectacular & unlike anything I've read before
I have never read anything like Hamnet. I had no idea I needed a book like this in my life, but reading this over the past few days has been an absolute pl... READ MORE
An interesting mix of good and bad in a way I thought impossible
I got this book and was really looking forward to reading it because I am a massive fan of historical fiction and Shakespeare, maybe a set too high expecta... READ MORE
Emotive and atmospheric
I loved Hamnet! As someone who looks for historical fiction, I find that some books can be a bit too modern or not really catch the full vibe of the scene ... READ MORE
my favourite book of 2022
I must confess, historical fiction intimidates quite a bit. Maybe because I associate it to old classics where I've found the writing complicated and inacc... READ MORE
Filyon
I am, I am, I am, is one of my favourite books so I was beyond excited to read this with all its great reviews. Sadly it was disappointing, tedious and sl... READ MORE
Haunting and beautiful
Wow this book had everything, haunting, beautifully written and draws on all your emotions. I love how magic, Witchery are all twisted in to the superstiti... READ MORE
Not your usual historical novel
I loved this book. I am a fan of Maggie O’Farrell, but I defy anyone not to enjoy this book as it’s so beautifully written. It works as a stand-alone novel... READ MORE
Hamnet
A well written account of life and , sadly , death in the sixteenth century. Maggie O’Farrell captures the complex relationships between the key characters... READ MORE
A superb novel!
I loved "Hamnet'! A real treat for lovers of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'; this gives a really good insight in to Shakespeare's family life. Beautifully written.
Excellent
Historical fiction written about Shakespeare’s son lost to the Plague that inspired his greatest play, Hamlet. The author creates vivid descriptions of the... READ MORE
Absolutely beautiful
The ending alone makes Hamnet a new all-time favourite. A stylistic tour de force!
Superb book
Best read I’ve had in many years. I’m a great fan of the bard and this was quite superb.
Book of the Year
Few historical details are known about William Shakespeare's life but Maggie O'Farrell has taken two scraps of information: the death of Shakespeare's son ... READ MORE
A Jewel of a Book
Some books demand to be devoured at one sitting, others need to be savoured slowly. This beautiful novel is one of the latter. Each chapter is a carefully ... READ MORE
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
This has been my favourite 'Lockdown' book. The descriptions of the houses, farms, apartment and woodland made me feel I was transported to each place. A... READ MORE
Ideal book for our times
The parallels drawn between those times and now must have been prophetic but add to the ejoyment of the book, which moved me to tears. It is always diffic... READ MORE
A book with potential that just didn't quite land for me
I am clearly in the minority on this one but Hamnet was just above OK for me. On paper, I should have loved this book - it's got a lyrical writing style wi... READ MORE
Beautifull written, and very moving.
A beautifully written book with a woinderful rhythm to it. It is a poignant exploration of loss and grief and has a strong sense of the period as well. A... READ MORE
Utterly enthralling, this is yet another dose of Maggie O’Farrell brilliance.
Hamnet is the eighth novel by award-winning British author, Maggie O’Farrell. In the summer of 1596, an eleven-year-old boy, the grandson of a Stratford-up... READ MORE
Moan
The fact that the author wanted to leave out the best bit says it all. Worth a quick read but not much more.
A Mother and son
A story that focuses on Shakespeare's family with William Shakespeare rarely there and never mentioned by name. The story of a mother, a sister and a lost ... READ MORE
Stunning
Absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written and kept me completely absorbe to the very end. I wasn't sure whether this book was my type of read but am... READ MORE
Other-wordly and utterly transformative
I fell in love with this book. O'Farrell writes with so much care and creates a completely real and complex world. As a big Shakespeare fan, Hamnet offers ... READ MORE
Wonderful
As someone who has lived in Stratford upon Avon and not far from Anne Hathaway’s cottage, and now living in another country separated by the English Channe... READ MORE
Uplifting and Moving
Hamnet is a wonderful, uplifting and moving novel, beautifully written and expertly crafted by a writer at the very top of her game. Maggie O'Farrell's dep... READ MORE
I could smell the sixteenth century!
One of the best books I have ever read. Evocative words. I felt like I was living in sixteenth century Stratford- I could smell it! I had no idea when I w... READ MORE
Not blown away
I wanted to love this book so much but I just didn't connect with it. I found the characters very stereotypical and I just wasn't gripped. Perhaps I'll go ... READ MORE
Beautiful, moving
I enjoyed this book very much indeed, it's one of those books you keep thinking about for days after.
The story is about Shakespeare's son Hamnet. It's t... READ MORE
Absolutely heartbreaking in the best way
Maggie O'Farrell has thoroughly broken my heart with this book but in the most amazing way possible. Her writing hits all the key feelings and really makes... READ MORE
One of the very best I have ever read!
A wonderful historical fiction… one of the very best I have ever read. Beautifully presented.
An engaging plot, but the language is amateur and forced
The novel wonderfully encapsulates love and grief with many shifting sub-narratives happening throughout. Some of the language seems like that of a primary... READ MORE
Wonderful, amazing, enthralling and un-put-downable!! Five stars plus!
This has to be the best book I have read in a very long time. I literally could not wait to pick it up to read and was so reluctant when I would have to p... READ MORE
Quivering lips and blurry eyes
The topic of grief and loss is reflected so beautifully it had my bottom lip quivering and my eyes blurred at several key moments in the story. O’Farrell h... READ MORE
Hamnet a tour de force
I read few books written by women, Hillary Mantel is the exception. I purchased Hamnet on Waterstones recommendation, and am delighted to say this is a boo... READ MORE
A beautiful and heartbreaking journey through grief.
This novel is extraordinary in so many ways. It completely immerses the reader in the Elizabethan world of the lives of the characters. The free indirect d... READ MORE
Disappointing
Received as a present but unable to finish it!
Hamnet
Superb, the writing style is original and poetic, the subject matter is fascinating, the structure is perfect.
Just beautiful
A study in grief and life and written so beautifully with enormous feeling and great description. I was right there in Stratford Upon Avon moving around th... READ MORE
The story behind Hamlet....
I’m always wary of reading books where authors imagine the story behind a real event/character or rewrite a story told many times before. Will they spoil m... READ MORE
Breathtakingly painful and moving tale. Utterly brilliant.
A very human story. You can’t help but fall in love with Agnes. I read the first part galloping towards the inevitable and cried my heart out with Agnes fo... READ MORE
Extraordinary story-telling
This is the best book I’ve read in a long time (since Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series). So much so, I cannot wait to read it again. The characters are so ... READ MORE
A Really interesting book
Really interesting. Gave a good insight into Shakespeares time although only a novel. Unusual angle as very little written about his family.
Marvellous Interpretation
There has been a minimal amount of historical information, about one of the Greatest Britons. I think that this book steps into the breech very well. It ... READ MORE
A Magical Masterpiece!
Hamnet By Maggie O'farrell is a Masterpiece there is no other words to describe this book, I wasn't surprised it won @waterstones book of the year it's jus... READ MORE
Hamnet
This was the first Maggie O’Farrell book that I have read and I loved it so much that I read it twice back to back. Her prose is flowing and draws you into... READ MORE
Beautiful, lush prose.
This is one of those novels which stays with you because of its beautiful writing. The story is about grief and family . The family seem ordinary and yet i... READ MORE
Simply Brilliant.
This is a marvellous book. Easy to read, well researched, profound emotional experiences. It is a lot more about Anne Hathaway (Agnes in the book), Shakesp... READ MORE
Emotional and deeply moving
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell is the fictionalised story of Hamnet, the son of English playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (Anne) Hathaway. Litt... READ MORE
Fabulous
This book by Maggie O’Farrell tells the story of William Shakespeare’s wife and family. I was drawn to this book firstly by the beautiful cover and really... READ MORE
Sumptuous novel set in 16th Century STRATFORD
The book opens with:
In the 1580s a couple living in Henley Street, Stratford, had three children: Susanna, then Hamnett and Judith, who were twins.
The ... READ MORE
Loved this book!
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book as I generally prefer contemporary fiction but I decided to try it as I've loved everything that Maggie O'Farrell ... READ MORE
Powerful story
This is a beautifully written tale of Shakespeare's young son, who died at the age of 11. The device of switching between the immediate events leading up t... READ MORE
A moving story about grief
From the first page I was entranced by this book. The pacing, the language, the narrative are all superbly balanced and I wept at the final chapters.
Couldn't put it down
What an excellent story! It gave character to some well known names, and also a well-researched insight in to life in Tudor times. A compelling read.
Brilliant
Beautifully written and so well described. I loved absolutely this book!
Stunning
This is a truly stunning novel, beautifully written, moving and not what I expected. I’m not actually that interested in Shakespeare (sorry) so didn’t fanc... READ MORE
Is it William Shakespeare
It is easy to write about Will Shakespeare, comparatively little is known about him. Is it him? Only referred to as the lover, husband, playwright, neve... READ MORE
One of my favourite novels
This novel is beautiful in every sense. The writing, the characters, the detail. Everything has a dream-like quality about it, which comes crashing into re... READ MORE
Wonderful writing, but a shaky plot
I see many reviews of this book (and the film that is now out) which talk about it being the story of Shakespeare and his family. I would make the case str... READ MORE
Beautifully written
Absolutely loved this book. My first fiction for a while and it was such a treat. Utterly heartbreaking, made me cry a few times. Really enjoyed the way it... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Top Notch Storytelling
I love novels which are inspired by true events and Hamnet hits this bitter-sweet spot. It also deals with a trauma that is little spoken of - the death of... READ MORE
Beautiful story
There’s been so much hype about the film of the book so it was so nice to find that the book was a delight. Beautifully written it grips you from the outse... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Hamnett
A brilliant read. A fictional story built around Shakespeare's wife and family. Very well researched regarding the customs and life at the time. The sto... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Moving, thought-provoking, intense
I waited quite a long time for Waterstones to send me this book; and having received it, I spent the next few hours devouring this story of William Shakesp... READ MORE
Grief rendered in exquisite prose
Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet is a beautifully written, deeply moving reimagining of Shakespeare’s family life and the death of his only son. It blends histori... READ MORE
A book you will never forget.
I’m left gutted and holo inside, and yet I wished it would never end. Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. The type of book to leave you lost when ... READ MORE
Loved it!
Could not put it down. What a wonderful story, beautifully written. This will go on my ‘to read again’ shelf.
Masterful storytelling
A masterful imagining of how life was for Agnes Hathaway in the late 1500’s. Throughout this tale we follow Agnes from her first meetings with ‘the Latin t... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
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