mollyangstman's review against another edition
One of my favorites of the whole year.
missparkbom's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ava96's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked Hamnet. I wasn't aware of Shakespeare's personal story and know that this is all embellished, but it was a very well written story. I enjoyed the style of the author, which did feel distant at times, but for me that only contributed to the overall feel of the book. Very well done.
sul_sufardi's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
inesscm's review
4.5
This book was so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I loved my reading experience and that it lived up to the hype surrounding it.
The first thing that captured me was the author’s writing style. I had never read anything by Maggie O’Farrell, but was instantly amazed by the prose and the descriptions woven into the narrative. It was so easy to read, but lyrical at the same time.
Even though inspired by true-life events from the Shakespeare family, the novel is mostly fiction and, as a reader, you don’t need to know anything about Shakespeare’s works before getting into the book. I loved the story and the way it was masterfully told, with multiple POVs and timelines. We follow the life of a family that is devastated by tragedy, and how this tragedy impacts each family member in different ways. In addition, we follow a past timeline where we learn how this family came to be.
This is a very human tale, about family, grief, loneliness, ambition, love, redemption, motherhood, and so much more. It also has some very interesting insights into the female experience in the XVI century. Melancholic and introspective at times, it is a book that I feel will stay with me for a long time.
The first thing that captured me was the author’s writing style. I had never read anything by Maggie O’Farrell, but was instantly amazed by the prose and the descriptions woven into the narrative. It was so easy to read, but lyrical at the same time.
Even though inspired by true-life events from the Shakespeare family, the novel is mostly fiction and, as a reader, you don’t need to know anything about Shakespeare’s works before getting into the book. I loved the story and the way it was masterfully told, with multiple POVs and timelines. We follow the life of a family that is devastated by tragedy, and how this tragedy impacts each family member in different ways. In addition, we follow a past timeline where we learn how this family came to be.
This is a very human tale, about family, grief, loneliness, ambition, love, redemption, motherhood, and so much more. It also has some very interesting insights into the female experience in the XVI century. Melancholic and introspective at times, it is a book that I feel will stay with me for a long time.
mhoward's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meisphuong_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25