Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

Book Description

England, 1580: The Black Death creeps across the land, an ever-present threat, infecting the healthy, the sick, the old and the young alike. The end of days is near, but life always goes on.

A young Latin tutor—penniless and bullied by a violent father—falls in love with an extraordinary, eccentric young woman. Agnes is a wild creature who walks her family’s land with a falcon on her glove and is known throughout the countryside for her unusual gifts as a healer, understanding plants and potions better than she does people. Once she settles with her husband on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, she becomes a fiercely protective mother and a steadfast, centrifugal force in the life of her young husband, whose career on the London stage is just taking off when his beloved young son succumbs to sudden fever.

Review

Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet is a haunting, beautifully reimagined story about the life of William Shakespeare’s son. Although this novel is listed as literary fiction, O’Farrell grounded the story in real events, particularly the life of William Shakespeare’s family and the impact the bubonic plague had on them.

The novel centers on Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, who’s portrayed with an almost supernatural sensitivity.

“Wait!” I hear you yell. “Wasn’t Shakespear’s wife named Anne Hathaway??”

Short answer, yes. But according to historical documents, Anne Hathaway’s father referred to her as “Agnes” in his will.

While O’Farrell may use the more-authentic name of the woman, rest assured, she takes some creative license while telling the woman’s story.

In Hamnet, Agnes has an uncanny ability to sense hidden truths and glimpse fragments of the future, which gives her character a quiet magic that draws her close to the natural world. O’Farrell adds these subtle, speculative elements to add a layer of emotional depth and enhance the atmosphere without overshadowing the historical core.

Words Matter

One thing that stood out for me was O’Farrell’s skill in balancing detailed historical scenes with poetic, almost lyrical prose. It made 16th-century England come alive.

Hamnet offers us a glimpse into Shakespeare’s family life in a way that feels fresh and emotionally charged. This balance kept the novel grounded in its historical roots while inviting us to consider that thin line between reality and the unknown.

But recognize, this is more than just a historical novel. It’s a new perspective on Shakespear’s legacy.

Overall, Hamnet leans more toward literary fiction than commercial. It will appeal to readers who appreciate detailed, thoughtful prose and complex emotional exploration over fast-paced storytelling. The beauty of O’Farrell’s language, combined with Agnes’s quiet magic, left an impression that will stay with me for a long time. If you liked books like The Toymakers, you may enjoy this one too!

Content Warning

Abandonment, Abuse, Blood, Child Death, Domestic Abuse, Grief, Mental Illness, Pandemic, Pregnancy, Suicidal Thoughts, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Dzmitry Dudov on Unsplash