Reviews on Hamnet (2)

A homely story with grand themes

Hamnet

This book describes an imagined home life lived by Shakespeare. The central character, Agnes, falls in love with the young tutor, helps him to deal with his abusive father, supports him through his struggles to become a playwright by keeping the home in the country running while he pursues success in London, and ultimately loses her 11 year old son, Hamnet, to the plague. The story is captivating and echoes familiar Shakespearean themes of power, love, death, herbalism and magic, gender confusion, family duty and more. It is a gentle easy read that stays with you long after you have finished it.

The little boy of a famous father

Hamnet

A thoughtful and heartfelt historical fictional story based on Shakespeare's family and son Hamnet who died at age 11. Four years later Shakespeare's play Hamlet was named after his son. Some beautiful writing and interesting to get an idea of life and lives in those times.