March 1, 2021
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
William Shakespeare had a child named Hamnet who died from the Black Death at the age of 12. Shakespeare also had two other children, Susanna and Hamnet's twin sister Judith. Not much is known about Hamnet other than when he died, but Maggie O'Farrell took what is known about Hamnet, the Shakespeare family, and daily life in the 15th century, and wove it into a story. Shakespeare was inspired to write the play Hamlet by Hamnet's death.
Interestingly enough, Shakespeare is never mentioned by name - this is obviously his family's story, not his. He is referred to as the children's father, Agnes' husband, the Latin tutor, or John and Mary's son. The story is told through Agnes' eyes (Shakespeare's wife is usually referred to as Anne Hathaway, but her given name was Agnes). Agnes herself had an interest in nature and healing, and she met Will when he was the Latin tutor to her brothers at her family's farm, and follows her life through marriage, the move to Stratford, and the birth of her children.
The story is innovative, and the language is lyrical. You don't need to be a Shakespeare scholar or know much about Hamlet to enjoy this title.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.
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