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'Farrell's novel "Hamnet". It is based on the life stories, marriage and family of William Shakespeare, the supposed educated wastrel and oddball Agnes (Anne) Hathaway and the tragedy which happens quite unexpectedly to one of their three children. Agnes and her kestrel attract William's attention and before too long the couple marry with a baby, daughter Susanna, on the way. Agnes is an intelligent and unusual woman, to put it mildly, with a skill in and knowledge of medicinal herbs and builds up quite a reputation, leading to her treating almost the whole town for their ailments. Grammar school educated William, meanwhile, spends a lot of his time in London, ostensibly trying to increase sales of his father's gloves while, in fact, writing and performing in plays at the Globe Theatre. The book weaves backwards and forwards, depicting the couple's early lives while also telling the story of a plague striking two of their children, Judith and Hamnet and heartbreakingly causing the death of the highly engaging, physically stronger and more robust twin, Hamnet, at aged 11. The real life cause of Hamnet's death is unknown but I think illness is a pretty good guess. The novel is brilliant for the way it portrays family tensions and vividly but sensitively explores death and grief. It builds to a crescendo when, some time after the tragedy, Agnes learns of her husband's new play, known to us as the inimitable, autobiographical, tragic drama Hamlet, and unknown to William, travels to the Globe to see it. The story ends on a note of hopeful suspense about what happens next with the words: "remember me" declaimed by actor William Shakespeare as he catches sight of his wife among the audience. This novel isn't at all a morbid tract, despite the subject matter. I couldn't put it down and would definitely recommend it as a much more than good read.

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 wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. Well I has nothing to fear as if was simply wonderful. The whole story was so interesting and I just engaged with it from the very start. A massive five star read for me.

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 just magnificent a brilliant read from start to finish, it captures your heart and it catapults right into the book. You truly feel apart of the story I just loved everything about Hamnet I didn't want it to end I could've happily read this forever, you will laugh and Cry you will take each character into your heart you truly get the feel of Shakespeare it makes you feel apart of history reading this book takes you so far back in time 5 stars isn't enough for Hamnet I'd give it 10 out of 10 the writing alone is pure brilliance the words just flow of the pages, this is a book that will go down in History as one of the greatest reads. I higly recommend this book to everyone as I think Hamnet is a book everyone should read and have on their bookshelf.

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 a child - dealing with the parents grief in a raw, yet sensitive way. This book leaves behind a whisper of loss - your own that the book has ended.

This is a beautiful book, both for the story and the writing. Fascinating characters and an engaging plot. Highly recommended.