Hamnet. A Novel of the Plague

by Maggie O'Farrell

Exquisite!  Such vivid imagery, such detail about small things, and oh so lyrical.  If only for the beautiful language it would be worth reading.  But the story focuses on William Shakespeare (though never named as such); Anne, called Agnes in the book, who becomes his wife; and their three children, Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.  We seem to learn more of Agnes and her feelings, thoughts, actions, than of the other characters.  The story is told in two different time-lines –William first meeting Agnes and their youth; and Agnes and the children as they grow.  There are other characters, of course, family members, but I think Agnes is truly the main character.  The reader knows her thoughts, sees her actions, and I related more to her than any of the other characters. 

There is an awful sadness, a sorrow, a grief in the story, especially for Agnes and Judith, when Hamnet dies.  Agnes’s grief is palpable and anyone who has lost a loved-one and feels devastated will identify with Agnes through her grieving process.

William is mostly absent after their marriage; he moves to London, presumably to help his father’s glove business grow, but soon begins writing and producing plays.

There is one open door scene (though not in a bedroom) which was easy to skip over.

I loved this book!

Quotes

“She listens to the string of sounds that comes from his [toddler brother Edmond’s] mouth breathily, as he stirs [the leaves in a wooden bowl he’s playing with]: ‘eff’ is in there, for ‘leaf,’ and ‘ize,’ for ‘Eliza,’ and ‘oop,’ for ‘soup.’  The words exist, if you know how to listen.”    p. 96,  ¶8 end

In a dream Agnes sees her dead mother wearing “...a red shawl knotted over a blue smock....”    p. 128  ¶1

nm