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 it. Even though we basically don't know anything about Shakespeare's family, it's nice to fantasize about its members, and O'Farrell's version is good and credible.

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 Shakespeare’s family and the tragic death of his 11 year old son Hamnet. Living as I do near Stratford-upon-Avon I have visited all the Shakespeare properties a number of times. I will never experience Shakespeare’s Birthplace the same way again, now I have read this book. As I enter the rooms, I will imagine Ann Hathaway giving birth here, to her twins Judith and Hamnet; and in another room I will think of her laying out Hamnet’s body with loving care, sewing him into his shroud; and in another, of John Shakespeare browbeating William, or of his sister questioning or advising him. Ann in this story is called Agnes; William himself is never named but called either ‘the Latin Tutor’ or ‘her husband’ or ‘their father / brother’. So we think of him in his relationships as an ordinary family man, rather than being distracted by the weight of his awesome reputation, over five centuries later. The story initially moves back and forwards between two time-frames: the time of Agnes’ pregnancy with Suzanne, and the turbulent reaction of the families, and her subsequent marriage to Will; and then to the final 24 hours of Hamnet’s life, 13 years later as he falls victim to the Bubonic Plague. Life and death, beginnings and endings, are constantly interwoven, folding back on each other. I found the book very intense, full of exquisite moment-by-moment accounts of highly emotional events, and the long period of Agnes’ grief, while her husband is in London on one of his long absences. Will’s sister Eliza is the go-between in that she, unlike Agnes, is literate and can write the letters Agnes dictates and read the letters Will sends in return. Some have thought William Shakespeare very unloving to his wife and family, spending so much time away from them; but in this story we are offered a much more sympathetic picture. Will asks Agnes to come to London to live with him but she refuses as she fears Judith’s delicate health will suffer in the disease ridden city streets. Ultimately with his London money Will is able to buy the gracious mansion at New Place; and I loved the descriptions of Agnes creating her dream garden there, planting many fruit trees and medicinal herbs and keeping bees and a host of cats. The epiphany in this story comes with Agnes’ realisation of the true significance of her husband’s new tragedy ‘Hamlet’. This is a book which will certainly have you scurrying to Google to check up on the known facts of William Shakespeare’s life and family members. You will see him in a new light and may also be deeply moved by the reality of life and death in 16th century England. A very highly recommended book.

‘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 usual works, is simply outstanding. This is going to be one of those reviews that takes me forever to write because I enjoyed the book so much and want to do it justice. At first glance you may think this is a tale about Shakespeare. It’s not. In fact, William Shakespeare is very much a background character, this is the story of his wife Agnes and his son, Hamnet. This is a story of motherhood, of family, of grief. Maggie O’Farrell doesn’t even name him in the book and instead uses the words like ‘father’ or ‘husband’ when he enters a scene. A very clever way of making a book about Shakespeare very much not about Shakespeare at all. Leaving him unnamed makes the focus all about Hamnet and Agnes. ‘Hamnet’ takes place over two interweaving timelines. We meet Agnes as a young woman, we witness her first meeting with her brother’s tutor (Shakespeare) and we see a relationship blossom. Agnes is not a conventional girl, from a well-off family she prefers to spend her time in the forest and with her kestrel. She’s a mysterious, head strong creature that instantly intrigues readers, as well as her future husband. We also get to see where their relationship ends up, as the timeline also concentrates on the period fifteen years later. We meet Agnes as a mother and we meet Hamnet, as he desperately tries to find help for ill twin sister. A dual timeline works really well for this novel and it helps create a superb portrait of how marriage and motherhood can change over time. The writing is stunning. Absolutely stunning. About half way through something happens and you are left bereft, your heart shredded and that’s down to the power of Maggie O’Farrell’s words. Every single line is a work of art and many passages I re-read because they were so exquisite. I can go on and on about how beautiful it is, all I can do is implore you read it. It will blow you away. Powerful, beautiful, hauntingly and uniquely wonderful - ‘Hamnet’ is an extraordinary book that moved me and took my breath away. It’s a read that will stay with me forever and it’s a read that everyone must experience.

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 and the social setting being around the Shakespeare family make it extremely accessible. This novel lingers in the mind and has the happy bonus of being clearly based on historical research. The exclusive edition shows some of this on the back pages.

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 was at the end of the book. I drew breath as I realised. I also enjoyed O’Farrell’s notes about her experience of writing the book, which she finished in March 2020 and realised it is the more poignant because when one reads it now, with our experience of Covid, we have a 21st century frame of reference for bubonic plague which she did not have when she wrote it. The whole book captivated me from start to finish. Read it!