Hamnet: 9781984898876: O'Farrell, Maggie: Books - Amazon ...

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell nods to William Shakespeare's son and bounces off the play, Hamlet, by himself. Central to the story is Anne Hathaway who at age 26 ... Skiptomaincontent HamnetandmillionsofotherbooksareavailableforAmazonKindle. Learnmore Books › Literature&Fiction › GenreFiction Buynew:$13.64 ListPrice:$16.95 Save:$3.31(20%) GetFast,FreeShippingwithAmazonPrime FREEdeliveryThursday,January20ifyouspend$25onitemsshippedbyAmazonOrfastestdeliveryTuesday,January18.Orderwithin18hrs26mins InStock. Asanalternative,theKindleeBookisavailablenowandcanbereadonanydevicewiththefreeKindleapp.Wanttolisten?TryAudible. Qty:123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930Qty:1 $$13.6413.64 () Includesselectedoptions.Includesinitialmonthlypaymentandselectedoptions. Details Price($13.64x)$13.64Subtotal$$13.6413.64SubtotalInitialpaymentbreakdownShippingcost,deliverydate,andordertotal(includingtax)shownatcheckout. AddtoCart BuyNow Securetransaction YourtransactionissecureWeworkhardtoprotectyoursecurityandprivacy.Ourpaymentsecuritysystemencryptsyourinformationduringtransmission.Wedon’tshareyourcreditcarddetailswiththird-partysellers,andwedon’tsellyourinformationtoothers.Learnmore Shipsfrom Amazon.com Soldby Amazon.com DetailsShipsfromAmazon.comSoldbyAmazon.com Returnpolicy: EligibleforReturn,RefundorReplacement Thisitemcanbereturnedinitsoriginalconditionforafullrefundorreplacementwithin30daysofreceipt.Readfullreturnpolicy HamnethasbeenaddedtoyourCart Addagiftreceiptforeasyreturns Share OtherSellersonAmazon AddedNotaddedAddtoCartViewCart$16.63&FREEShippingSoldby:BookDepositoryUSSoldby:BookDepositoryUS(921893ratings)89%positiveoverlast12monthsInstock.Usuallyshipswithin3to4days.ShippingratesandReturnpolicyAddedNotaddedAddtoCartViewCart$17.24&FREEShippingSoldby:GlobalMedia2Soldby:GlobalMedia2(1301ratings)90%positiveoverlast12monthsOnly1leftinstock-ordersoon.ShippingratesandReturnpolicyAddedNotaddedAddtoCartViewCart$13.67+$3.99 shipping Soldby:allnewbooksSoldby:allnewbooks(268721ratings)93%positiveoverlast12monthsInstock.Usuallyshipswithin4to5days.ShippingratesandReturnpolicy AddtobookclubLoadingyourbookclubsTherewasaproblemloadingyourbookclubs.Pleasetryagain.Notinaclub?Learnmore Joinorcreatebookclubs Choosebookstogether TrackyourbooksBringyourclubtoAmazonBookClubs,startanewbookclubandinviteyourfriendstojoin,orfindaclubthat’srightforyouforfree.ExploreAmazonBookClubs Gotamobiledevice?You’vegotaKindle.DownloadthefreeKindleappandstartreadingKindlebooksinstantlyonyoursmartphone,tablet,orcomputer-noKindledevicerequired.LearnmoreReadinstantlyonyourbrowserwithKindleCloudReader.Usingyourmobilephonecamera-scanthecodebelowanddownloadtheKindleapp.EnteryourmobilephoneoremailaddressSendlinkProcessingyourrequest...Bypressing"Sendlink,"youagreetoAmazon'sConditionsofUse.YouconsenttoreceiveanautomatedtextmessagefromoronbehalfofAmazonabouttheKindleAppatyourmobilenumberabove.Consentisnotaconditionofanypurchase.Message&dataratesmayapply. FliptobackFliptofrontListenPlaying...Paused You'relisteningtoasampleoftheAudibleaudioedition.Learnmore Seethisimage FollowtheAuthorMaggieO'Farrell+FollowSimilarauthorstofollow+ + + SeemorerecommendationsSomethingwentwrong.Pleasetryyourrequestagainlater.OK HamnetPaperback–May18,2021 by MaggieO'Farrell(Author)›VisitAmazon'sMaggieO'FarrellPageFindallthebooks,readabouttheauthor,andmore.SeesearchresultsforthisauthorMaggieO'Farrell (Author) 4.5outof5stars 26,569ratings GoodreadsChoiceAwardnominee SeeallformatsandeditionsSorry,therewasaproblemloadingthispage.Tryagain. PriceNewfromUsedfrom Kindle "Pleaseretry" $13.99 — — AudibleAudiobook,Unabridged "Pleaseretry" $0.00 FreewithyourAudibletrial Hardcover,DeckleEdge "Pleaseretry" $14.29 $14.29$8.08 Paperback "Pleaseretry" $13.64 $11.07$9.03 Kindle $13.99 ReadwithOurFreeApp Audiobook $0.00 FreewithyourAudibletrial Hardcover $14.29 73Usedfrom$8.0835Newfrom$14.292Collectiblefrom$14.95Paperback $13.64 44Usedfrom$9.0335Newfrom$11.07 Enhanceyourpurchase NATIONALBOOKCRITICSCIRCLEAWARDWINNER•NEWYORKTIMESBESTSELLER•“OfallthestoriesthatargueandspeculateaboutShakespeare’slife...hereisanovel...sogorgeouslywrittenthatittransportsyou."—TheBostonGlobeEngland,1580:TheBlackDeathcreepsacrosstheland,anever-presentthreat,infectingthehealthy,thesick,theoldandtheyoungalike.Theendofdaysisnear,butlifealwaysgoeson.AyoungLatintutor—pennilessandbulliedbyaviolentfather—fallsinlovewithanextraordinary,eccentricyoungwoman.Agnesisawildcreaturewhowalksherfamily’slandwithafalcononhergloveandisknownthroughoutthecountrysideforherunusualgiftsasahealer,understandingplantsandpotionsbetterthanshedoespeople.OnceshesettleswithherhusbandonHenleyStreetinStratford-upon-Avon,shebecomesafiercelyprotectivemotherandasteadfast,centrifugalforceinthelifeofheryounghusband,whosecareerontheLondonstageisjusttakingoffwhenhisbelovedyoungsonsuccumbstosuddenfever.Readmore PreviouspagePrintlength320pagesLanguageEnglishPublisherKnopfDoubledayPublishingGroupPublicationdateMay18,2021Dimensions5.15x0.63x8inchesISBN-101984898876ISBN-13978-1984898876SeealldetailsNextpage BookswithBuzz Discoverthelatestbuzz-worthybooks,frommysteriesandromancetohumorandnonfiction. Exploremore Frequentlyboughttogether++Totalprice:Toseeourprice,addtheseitemstoyourcart.AddallthreetoCartChooseitemstobuytogether.Thisitem:HamnetbyMaggieO'FarrellPaperback$13.64InStock.ShipsfromandsoldbyAmazon.com.FREEShippingonordersover$25.00.TheLincolnHighway:ANovelbyAmorTowlesHardcover$18.00InStock.ShipsfromandsoldbyAmazon.com.FREEShippingonordersover$25.00.CloudCuckooLand:ANovelbyAnthonyDoerrHardcover$18.23InStock.ShipsfromandsoldbyAmazon.com.FREEShippingonordersover$25.00. CustomerswhoviewedthisitemalsoviewedPage1of1StartoverPage1of1PreviouspageKlaraandtheSun:AnovelKazuoIshiguro4.3outof5stars 23,521Hardcover52offersfrom$14.32AThousandBrains:ANewTheoryofIntelligenceJeffHawkins4.4outof5stars 581Hardcover1offerfrom$43.74TheNightWatchman:ANovelLouiseErdrich4.4outof5stars 8,013Paperback61offersfrom$8.81ThisMustBethePlace(VintageContemporaries)MaggieO'Farrell4.4outof5stars 1,773Paperback60offersfrom$4.64WorkbookforHamnetbyMaggieO'FarrellMaxHelpWorkbooks4.0outof5stars 4Paperback1offerfrom$12.90StudyGuide:HamnetbyMaggieO’Farrell(SuperSummary)SuperSummary4.3outof5stars 18Paperback3offersfrom$6.72Nextpage FromthePublisher Readmore EditorialReviewsReviewONEOFBILLGATES'SFAVORITEBOOKSOFTHEYEAR"O'Farrellhasamelodicrelationshiptolanguage.Thereisapoeticcadencetoherwritingandalushnessinherdescriptionsofthenaturalworld....Wecansmellthetangofthevariousnewleathersintheglover'sworkshop,thefragranceoftheapplesrackedafinger-widthapartinthewinterstorageshed....Asthebookunfolds,itbringsitsstorytoatenderandultimatelyhopefulconclusion:thateventhegreatestgrief,themostdamagedmarriage,andmostshatteredheartmightfindsomesolace,somehealing."—GeraldineBrooks,theNewYorkTimesBookReview“Alltootimely...inspired....[An]exceptionalhistoricalnovel”—TheNewYorker"Magnificentandsearing....Afamilysagasoburstingwithlife,touchedbymagic,andanchoredinaffection....OfallthestoriesthatargueandspeculateaboutShakespeare’slife,aboutwhetherheevenwrotehisownplays,hereisanovelthatmatcheshimwithawomanoverwhelminglymorethanworthy."—TheBostonGlobe"Atourdeforce....Hamnetvividlycapturesthelife-changingintensityofmaternityinitsmyriadstages—fromthepainofchildbirthtotheunassuagablegriefofloss.Fierceemotionsandlyricalprosearewhatwe'vecometoexpectofO'Farrell."—NPR"O'Farrellmovesthroughthefamily'spainlikeamasterofsignsandsignals....InHamnet,artimitateslifenottoco-optreality,buttohelpusbearit."—LosAngelesTimes"Whollyoriginal,fullyengrossing....Agnesisacharacterfortheages—engimatic,fullyformedandnearlyliterallybewitchingtobeholdineverysceneshe'sin."—SanFranciscoChronicle“Amovingportraitofamother’sgrief.... O’Farrell’sproseischaracteristicallybeautiful.”—TheWallStreetJournal“Evocative....[Hamnet] isalsolife-affirmingasitsuggestswaysartcantranscendmisfortune.” —NationalReview“Superb....O’Farrell’sexquisitelywroughteighthnovelprovesonceagainwhataveryfinewritersheis.”—FinancialTimes “Elliptical,dreamlike....[Hamnet] confirmsO’Farrellasanextraordinarilyversatilewriter,withaprofoundunderstandingofthemostelementalhumanbonds—qualitiesalsopossessedbyacertainformerLatintutorfromStratford.” —The Observer(UK) “Aremarkablepieceofwork... . O’Farrellisoneofthemostsurprisinglyquietradicalsinfiction.” —TheScotsman(UK) “[A] portrayalofgriefandpain....O’FarrelldescribestheseagonieswithsuchpowerthatHamnetwouldresonateatanytime.” —TheGuardian “[O’Farrellis] awriterofrareemotionalintelligencewhosepersonalintimationsofmortalitybearrichfruitinthis,hereighthnovel.” —EveningStandard“Thisartfullypacednovelisananatomyofgrief....Justwhenthenovel’ssecondpartseemstobemovingtoatragicconclusion,itmountsastunningredemptivevolte-face.” —TheTimesLiterarySupplementAbouttheAuthorBorninNorthernIrelandin1972,MaggieO’FarrellgrewupinWalesandScotland.Sheistheauthorofeightnovels:AfterYou’dGone(winneroftheBettyTraskAward);MyLover’sLover;TheDistanceBetweenUs(recipientofaSomersetMaughamAward);TheVanishingActofEsmeLennox;TheHandThatFirstHeldMine(winneroftheCostaBookAward);InstructionsforaHeatwave;ThisMustBethePlace;andHamnet,whichwontheWomen’sPrizeforFictionandtheNationalBookCriticsCircleAward.Shehasalsowrittenamemoir,IAm,IAm,IAm:SeventeenBrusheswithDeath,andapicturebookforchildren,WhereSnowAngelsGo.ShelivesinEdinburgh.Excerpt.©Reprintedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.Aboyiscomingdownaflightofstairs.Thepassageisnarrowandtwistsbackonitself.Hetakeseachstepslowly,slidinghimselfalongthewall,hisbootsmeetingeachtreadwithathud. Nearthebottom,hepausesforamoment,lookingbackthewayhehascome.Then,suddenlyresolute,heleapsthefinalthreestairs,asishishabit.Hestumblesashelands,fallingtohiskneesontheflagstonefloor. Itisaclose,windlessdayinlatesummer,andthedownstairsroomisslashedbylongstripsoflight.Thesunglowersathimfromoutside,thewindowslatticedslabsofyellow,setintotheplaster. Hegetsup,rubbinghislegs.Helooksoneway,upthestairs;helookstheother,unabletodecidewhichwayheshouldturn. Theroomisempty,thefireruminatinginitsgrate,orangeembersbelowsoft,spirallingsmoke.Hisinjuredkneecapsthrobintimewithhisheartbeat.Hestandswithonehandrestingonthelatchofthedoortothestairs,thescuffedleathertipofhisbootraised,poisedformotion,forflight.Hishair,light-coloured,almostgold,risesupfromhisbrowintufts. Thereisnoonehere. Hesighs,drawinginthewarm,dustyairandmovesthroughtheroom,outofthefrontdoorandontothestreet.Thenoiseofbarrows,horses,vendors,peoplecallingtoeachother,amanhurlingasackfromanupperwindowdoesn’treachhim.Hewandersalongthefrontofthehouseandintotheneighbouringdoorway. Thesmellofhisgrandparents’homeisalwaysthesame:amixofwoodsmoke,polish,leather,wool.Itissimilaryetindefinablydifferentfromtheadjoiningtwo-roomedapartment,builtbyhisgrandfatherinanarrowgapnexttothelargerhouse,whereheliveswithhismotherandsisters.Sometimeshecannotunderstandwhythismightbe.Thetwodwellingsare,afterall,separatedbyonlyathinwattledwallbuttheairineachplaceisofadifferentilk,adifferentscent,adifferenttemperature.Thishousewhistleswithdraughtsandeddiesofair,withthetappingandhammeringofhisgrandfather’sworkshop,withtherapsandcallsofcustomersatthewindow,withthenoiseandwelterofthecourtyardouttheback,withthesoundofhisunclescomingandgoing. Butnottoday.Theboystandsinthepassageway,listeningforsignsofoccupation.Hecanseefromherethattheworkshop,tohisright,isempty,thestoolsatthebenchesvacant,thetoolsidleonthecounters,atrayofabandonedgloves,likehandprints,leftoutforalltosee.Thevendingwindowisshutandboltedtight.Thereisnooneinthedininghall,tohisleft.Astackofnapkinsispiledonthelongtable,anunlitcandle,aheapoffeathers.Nothingmore. Hecallsout,acryofgreeting,aquestioningsound.Once,twice,hemakesthisnoise.Thenhecockshishead,listeningforaresponse. Nothing.Justthecreakingofbeamsexpandinggentlyinthesun,thesighofairpassingunderdoors,betweenrooms,theswishoflinendrapes,thecrackofthefire,theindefinablenoiseofahouseatrest,empty. Hisfingerstightenaroundtheironofthedoorhandle.Theheatoftheday,eventhislate,causessweattoexpressitselffromtheskinofhisbrow,downhisback.Thepaininhiskneessharpens,twinges,thenfadesagain. Theboyopenshismouth.Hecallsthenames,onebyone,ofallthepeoplewholivehere,inthishouse.Hisgrandmother.Themaid.Hisuncles.Hisaunt.Theapprentice.Hisgrandfather.Theboytriesthemall,oneafteranother.Foramoment,itcrosseshismindtocallhisfather’sname,toshoutforhim,buthisfatherismilesandhoursanddaysaway,inLondon,wheretheboyhasneverbeen. Butwhere,hewouldliketoknow,arehismother,hisoldersister,hisgrandmother,hisuncles?Whereisthemaid?Whereishisgrandfather,whotendsnottoleavethehousebyday,whoisusuallytobefoundintheworkshop,harryinghisapprenticeorreckoninghistakingsinaledger?Whereiseveryone?Howcanbothhousesbeempty? Hemovesalongthepassageway.Atthedoortotheworkshop,hestops.Hethrowsaquickglanceoverhisshoulder,tomakesurenobodyisthere,thenstepsinside. Hisgrandfather’sgloveworkshopisaplaceheisrarelyallowedtoenter.Eventopauseinthedoorwayisforbidden.Don’tstandthereidling,hisgrandfatherwillroar.Can’tamandoanhonestday’sworkwithoutpeoplestoppingtogawkathim?Haveyounothingbettertodothanloitertherecatchingflies? Hamnet’smindisquick:hehasnotroubleunderstandingtheschoolmasters’lessons.Hecangraspthelogicandsenseofwhatheisbeingtold,andhecanmemorisereadily.Recallingverbsandgrammarandtensesandrhetoricandnumbersandcalculationscomestohimwithaneasethatcan,onoccasion,attracttheenvyofotherboys.Buthisisamindalsoeasilydistracted.AcartgoingpastinthestreetduringaGreeklessonwilldrawhisattentionawayfromhisslatetowonderingsastowherethecartmightbegoingandwhatitcouldbecarryingandhowaboutthattimehisunclegavehimandhissistersarideonahaycart,howwonderfulthatwas,thescentandprickofnew-cuthay,thewheelstuggedalongtotherhythmofthetiredmare’shoofs.Morethantwiceinrecentweekshehasbeenwhippedatschoolfornotpayingattention(hisgrandmotherhassaidifithappensoncemore,justonce,shewillsendwordofittohisfather).Theschoolmasterscannotunderstandit.Hamnetlearnsquickly,canrecitebyrote,buthewillnotkeephismindonhiswork. Thenoiseofabirdintheskycanmakehimceasespeaking,mid-utterance,asiftheveryheavenshavestruckhimdeafanddumbatastroke.Thesightofapersonenteringaroom,outofthecornerofhiseye,canmakehimbreakoffwhateverheisdoing—eating,reading,copyingouthisschoolwork—andgazeatthemasiftheyhavesomeimportantmessagejustforhim.Hehasatendencytosliptheboundsofthereal,tangibleworldaroundhimandenteranotherplace.Hewillsitinaroominbody,butinhisheadheissomewhereelse,someoneelse,inaplaceknownonlytohim.Wakeup,child,hisgrandmotherwillshout,snappingherfingersathim.Comeback,hisoldersister,Susanna,willhiss,flickinghisear.Payattention,hisschoolmasterswillyell.Wheredidyougo?Judithwillbewhisperingtohim,whenhefinallyre-enterstheworld,whenhecomesto,whenheglancesaroundtofindthatheisback,inhishouse,athistable,surroundedbyhisfamily,hismothereyeinghim,halfsmiling,asifsheknowsexactlywherehe’sbeen. Inthesameway,now,walkingintotheforbiddenspaceofthegloveworkshop,Hamnethaslosttrackofwhatheismeanttobedoing.Hehasmomentarilyslippedfreeofhismoorings,ofthefactthatJudithisunwellandneedssomeonetocareforher,thatheismeanttobefindingtheirmotherorgrandmotheroranyoneelsewhomightknowwhattodo. Skinshangfromarail.Hamnetknowsenoughtorecognisetherust-redspottedhideofadeer,thedelicateandsupplekidskin,thesmallerpeltsofsquirrels,thecoarseandbristlingboarskin.Ashemovesnearertothem,theskinsstarttorustleandstirontheirhangings,asifsomelifemightyetbeleftinthem,justalittle,justenoughforthemtohearhimcoming.Hamnetextendsafingerandtouchesthegoathide.Itisunaccountablysoft,likethebrushofriverweedagainsthislegswhenheswimsonhotdays.Itswaysgentlytoandfro,legssplayed,stretchedout,asifinflight,likeabirdoraghoul. Hamnetturns,surveysthetwoseatsattheworkbench:thepaddedleatheronewornsmoothbytherubofhisgrandfather’sbreeches,andthehardwoodenstoolforNed,theapprentice.Heseesthetools,suspendedfromhooksonthewallabovetheworkbench.Heisabletoidentifythoseforcutting,thoseforstretching,thoseforpinningandstitching.Heseesthatthenarroweroftheglovestretchers—usedforwomen—isoutofplace,leftonthebenchwhereNedworkswithbentheadandcurvedshouldersandanxious,nimblefingers.Hamnetknowsthathisgrandfatherneedslittleprovocationtoyellattheboy,perhapsworse,sohepicksuptheglovestretcher,weighingitswarmwoodenheft,andreplacesitonitshook. Heisjustabouttoslideoutthedrawerwherethetwistsofthreadarekept,andtheboxesofbuttons—carefully,carefully,becauseheknowsthedrawerwillsqueak—whenanoise,aslightshiftingorscraping,reacheshisears. Withinseconds,Hamnethasdartedout,alongthepassagewayandintotheyard.Histaskreturnstohim.Whatishedoing,fiddlingintheworkshop?Hissisterisunwell:heismeanttobefindingsomeonetohelp. Hebangsopen,onebyone,thedoorstothecookhouse,thebrewhouse,thewashhouse.Allofthemempty,theirinteriorsdarkandcool.Hecallsoutagain,slightlyhoarsethistime,histhroatscrapedwiththeshouting.Heleansagainstthecookhousewallandkicksatanutshell,sendingitskitteringacrosstheyard.Heisutterlyconfoundedtobesoalone.Someoneoughttobehere;someonealwaysishere.Wherecantheybe?Whatmusthedo?Howcantheyallbeout?Howcanhismotherandgrandmothernotbeinthehouse,astheyusuallyare,heavingopenthedoorsoftheoven,stirringapotoverthefire?Hestandsintheyard,lookingabouthimself,atthedoortothepassageway,atthedoortothebrewhouse,atthedoortotheirapartment.Whereshouldhego?Whomshouldhecallonforhelp?Andwhereiseveryone?Readmore StartreadingHamnetonyourKindleinunderaminute. Don'thaveaKindle?GetyourKindlehere,ordownloadaFREEKindleReadingApp. Productdetails Publisher ‏ : ‎ KnopfDoubledayPublishingGroup(May18,2021)Language ‏ : ‎ EnglishPaperback ‏ : ‎ 320pagesISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1984898876ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1984898876ItemWeight ‏ : ‎ 8.3ouncesDimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.15x0.63x8inches BestSellersRank:#749inBooks(SeeTop100inBooks)#15inBiographicalHistoricalFiction#113inFamilyLifeFiction(Books)#169inLiteraryFiction(Books)CustomerReviews: 4.5outof5stars 26,569ratings AbouttheauthorFollowauthorstogetnewreleaseupdates,plusimprovedrecommendations.MaggieO'FarrellBriefcontentvisible,doubletaptoreadfullcontent.Fullcontentvisible,doubletaptoreadbriefcontent.MaggieO'FarrellistheauthoroftheSundayTimesno.1bestsellingmemoirIAM,IAM,IAM,andeightnovels:AFTERYOU'DGONE,MYLOVER'SLOVER,THEDISTANCEBETWEENUS,whichwonaSomersetMaughamAward,THEVANISHINGACTOFESMELENNOX,THEHANDTHATFIRSTHELDMINE,whichwonthe2010CostaNovelAward,INSTRUCTIONSFORAHEATWAVE,whichwasshortlistedforthe2013CostaNovelAward,THISMUSTBETHEPLACE,whichwasshortlistedforthe2016CostaNovelAward,andHAMNET.ShelivesinEdinburgh.ReadmoreReadless Customerreviews4.5outof5stars4.5outof5 26,569globalratings 5star 64% 4star 24% 3star 8% 2star 2% 1star 2% Howareratingscalculated?Tocalculatetheoverallstarratingandpercentagebreakdownbystar,wedon’tuseasimpleaverage.Instead,oursystemconsidersthingslikehowrecentareviewisandifthereviewerboughttheitemonAmazon.Italsoanalyzesreviewstoverifytrustworthiness. Reviewswithimages Seeallcustomerimages Topreviews Mostrecent Topreviews TopreviewsfromtheUnitedStates Therewasaproblemfilteringreviewsrightnow.Pleasetryagainlater.EdwinRelf3.0outof5stars InnitiallydullButhanginuntilltheend ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonJuly12,2020VerifiedPurchase HamnetbyMaggieO’FarrellnodstoWilliamShakespeare’ssonandbouncesofftheplay,Hamlet,byhimself.CentraltothestoryisAnneHathawaywhoatage26marriedtheyoung18-year-oldWil.HistoryhasthebarestofrecordsofAnne–whenshewasborn,whoherfatherwas,thatshehadadowryofsixpounds(bigmoneyinthelate16thcentury)–thatshehadtwopregnanciesthesecondbeingboyandgirltwins,thatthelad,Hamnet,diedatage11ofandunknowncause,andthatshediedatage65some6yearsafterWil.ShelivedherwholelifeinStratfordanditisunknownifsheeverwentuptoLondon.Oh,andthereistheaddeddetailthatWilonlyleftherhis2ndbestbedinhiswillwiththebulkofhisestategoingtohiselderdaughter.AroundthesefewfactsO’FarrelltellsusaplausiblestoryofthelifeofAnnewhomO’FarrellcallsAgnes–thenameherfathercalledherinhiswill.WeknowfromthestartofthenovelthatHamnetwilldieofthebubonicplaguesothatsitsthereinthestoryofAgneslikeaplumbweight.FormuchofthereadthisisapleasantenoughtaleoflifeinruralEnglandofthetimeandIkeptwonderingwhatthepointofthebookwas.Therearen’tanymetaphors,allusions,cleverandpointedalliterations,anyunderlyingmessage.Sure,AgnesandWilhaveanattractionbuttheyareopposites.HeneedstoexpressandgoesofftoLondontodoso–greatlyfortheEnglishlanguagewithpoeticallycomplexextraordinaryliterature.Agnes,ontheotherhandisdeeplyintunewithnatureandthehiddendepthofpeople.Sheisthewisewomanwhointuitsthealimentsoffolkandknowstheefficacyofplantsthatwillmendthem.Itisnotuntilthefinalquarterofthenovelwheretheworthofthisbookbecomesmeaningful-shiftingitfromanOkayonestartoaVeryGoodthreestarone.Itmakesthetimespentlikingthepleasantstorymeaningfulbuttotellofthatdenouementwouldruinthereadingbysomeoneelse.EnoughtosaythatthewholeofthenovelwrapsaroundthatlastquartertodrawHamnetandHamlet,AgnesandWilintoafineapogee. Readmore 250peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse KasaC TOP1000REVIEWERVINEVOICE 4.0outof5stars LifeinTimesofPlague ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonJuly31,2020VerifiedPurchase Althoughthemultitudeofwordshewrotehavesurvived,hispresenceasaplaywrightandasapoetiswelldocumented,revered,morethananyotherauthorwhoeverlived,WilliamShakespeare'spersonallifeisonlyvisibleinverysmallbits.WhatMaggieFarrellhasdoneistrulyremarkable.Knownprimarilyforhercontemporarynovels,this,shetakesontheshadowysubjectmatter,fleshingouttheenigmaticlivesofthisfamilyinalmostshimmeryprose,focusingnotonthefamousfatherandhusband,butonthewifeleftinStratfordtoraisetheirchildrenprovincially.Infact,thenamesweknowthembyarenotevenused.ThismakesforgreaterverisimilitudewhenpresentingthedaytodaylifeoftheSixteenthCentury.Thereaderispresentedwithbeautiful,sensualdescriptionsofcountry,beekeeping,housekeeping,evenglovemaking.Ashasbeennotedelsewhere,thecentralpointisthesudden,tragicdeathofHamnet,theonlysonofthismarriage.Althoughthedetailsofhisdeathhavebeenlosttohistory,FarrellhaschosentointroducethePlagueascause,whichcouldbepossiblegiventhatitwasaroundatthetime,andsheinsertsaplausibleexplanationofhowitwasdeliveredtoatownnotaportorabigcityforthatmatter.Theonlyweaknesscomeswithaslightdrag,slowingtheactionandnotplayingonthestrengthsofthenovel,butalsoashasbeennotedelsewhere,MaggieFarrellinherlastbooksharedherpersonalexperiencesofextremeillnesswhilefairlyyoung,descriptionsofwhichmadetheirwayintothesufferingofchildrenwhilemortallyill.Welldone. Readmore 129peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse Michael5.0outof5stars Devastatinglybeautiful ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonAugust1,2020VerifiedPurchase Thereaderofthisnovelwillbechallengedbytheurgetopressaheadanddiscoverhowthestoryunfolds,butresistingallthewhiletosavorthestunninglygorgeouswriting.Inanytime,butparticularlyduringthistimeofthepandemic,griefandtheyearningforsomeshredofconsolationaretreatedwithsuchgracefulandsensitivemeasure.Anunforgettableliterarygift. Readmore 128peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse englishmajor5.0outof5stars thepictureofhumanityisagoodlikeness ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonJuly22,2020VerifiedPurchase IhavelookedforwardtothisbookandIhavenotbeendisappointed.Dayafterdaythecurrentlifeweallfaceisdaunting.Attimeswemaythinkthatweareashelplessatthecharactersinthisnovelaretocombattheplaguetheyface.Thestoryisinterestingbutitisthehumanityofthecharactersthatmakesthisnoveloutstandingtome.Griefisanunavoidablepartofthehumancondition.O'FarrelldoesanoutstandingjobofshowingusGrief.Whenshewrotethisnoneofunderstoodwhatourworldwouldsoonface. Readmore 119peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse SharonReading5.0outof5stars Marvelouswriting ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonJuly31,2020VerifiedPurchase Ilovedreadingthisbook.Ilikedthestoryverymuch.Butthebestpartofthisbookwasthewayitwaswriting.IevenreadpassagesasecondtimebecauseIenjoyedthewritingsomuch.IhaverecommendedthisbooktoanumberofmyfriendsandIamhappytorecommendthistoallwholiketoread. Readmore 97peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse PenelopeJacks2.0outof5stars Pleasantreadingbutthingruel. ReviewedintheUnitedStatesonJuly26,2020VerifiedPurchase Thisisaeasytoreadnovelthatmovesalongandisfullofengagingdetail.However.ItislittlemorethanafamilymelodramamadetoseemsignificantbyinvokingShakespeareandAnneHathaway.Ithaseveryclicheandthecharactersareunidirectional.OnewouldcertainlynotcomeawaywithanenrichedsenseofHamlet.ThebestpartwasacsetpieceonhowtheplaguearrivedinEngland.Eventhen,onemightbelievenonebutthecharacterinthenovelhaddiediftheplagueinStratford.Idontrecommendthisbookunlessyouareatthebeach. Readmore 89peoplefoundthishelpful Helpful Reportabuse Seeallreviews Topreviewsfromothercountries PeterFowler2.0outof5stars NotapatchonShakespeare ReviewedintheUnitedKingdomonJuly21,2020VerifiedPurchase IsorrybutIdon'tunderstandthereasonforthisbook.Itisn'tinteresting,thereisnoplot,charactersarethinlydrawandthereisnoarcofadrama.Istruggledtofinishitandmostdefinitelywon'tbeexploringanymoreofthiswriter'swork.Thereisanicequalitytothewritingbutthatinitselfdoesnotmakeanovel.Veryboredanddisappointed.Whatmustthelonglistbelikeifthismadeittotheshortlist? Readmore 62peoplefoundthishelpful Reportabuse M.Dowden5.0outof5stars LoveandLoss ReviewedintheUnitedKingdomonJune19,2020VerifiedPurchase ThisisthefirstbookIhavereadbyMaggieO’Farrell,andtobehonestalthoughIknewthiswascomingoutmonthsbeforeitdidIjustpasseditbyandnevertriedtoseeaboutgettingareviewcopy.Intriguedbywhyithadgotsomanygoodreviewsandasthekindleeditionwasonpromo,IthoughtthusthatIwouldgiveitaread.IamnowgladthatIdidasthisisstunningandwellwortharead.TheauthorhastakenapiecefromthelifeofShakespearethatverylittleisknownabout.Weknowoftheplaywright’schildren,andthatJudithandHamnetweretwins,wealsoknowwhoHamnetwasprobablynamedafter,butalthoughweknowwhenthisboytragicallydiedagedeleven,wedonotknowthecause.O’Farrellgivesusacausehereandawaythatitcameabout,whichaddstothestory,butthisisn’treallyastoryoftheboyitisastoryofloveandloss,somethingwhichwecanallrelateto.Thefirstpartofthisbookthenistwostreamsgiventousinparallel,wehavethestoryofthefamilyinthepresentofthestory,andalsothewaythatShakespeareandAnneHathaway,orAgnesassheiscalledheremeet,fallinloveandmarry.Weindeedarenevergiventhenameoftheplaywrightassuch,butwecanallseethatitisofcourseWilliamShakespeare.Thesecondpartofthebookisafterthedeathoftheson.Thisisverywellwrittenandimagined,withstarkproseandasomewhatdreamlikequality.WehavethelegendssurroundingAgnes,whoisconsideredawitchoratleastacunningwoman,andhowsomethinkshehastrappedherhusbandintomarryingher,althoughothersthinkshecouldhavemadeabettermatch.Thisgivesthetalethenapeculiaratmosphere,whereyoufeellikesomethingrealcanhappen,butalsoperhapssomethingmagical,althoughthisiskeptverymuchintherealworld.Asweallknow,andmanyhaveexperienceditovertheyears,itdoesnotseemfairthatachildcandiebeforeitsparents,butithappensquitealotaroundtheworldandisalwaysatragedy.Thisishereofcourse,andthenthereisloveinitsmanyforms,suchasahusbandforhiswifeandviceversa,andthelovethatachildhasforitssibling,andasweseeinthefirsthalfitisHamnet’sloveforhistwinsisterJudiththatcanbeseenashisdownfall,ashewantstotrickdeathintoleavinghissisteralone.This,asimpleidea,isreallybroughttolifehere,tuggingatourheartstrings,andthusisusedtogoodeffect.WiththelovebetweentheparentsweseethatbecauseofthehusbandawaysomuchinLondonandelsewhere,sothereisafeelingofseparationbetweenthetwoadultswhichfeelslikeitcanneverberepairedafterthetragicdeath,butweseewhetherthisissoasthenovelcontinues.ThecleverthingIthinkandthathasmadesomanypeopleenjoyreadingthisisthatalthoughanhistoricalnovelassuch,apartfromthescenesettingthisfeelsverypersonalandclose,andthuscouldhavebeensetinthepastorpresent,andinanyplaceandwithanyfamily,givingitanimmediacythatyoudonotobviouslynormallygetwithhistoricalnovels.Thisiscertainlysomethingthatgrabsyouandholdsontoyouuntilthelastpage,whereyouareleftwantingmore. Readmore 54peoplefoundthishelpful Reportabuse KindleCustomer4.0outof5stars Good,but.... ReviewedintheUnitedKingdomonApril12,2020VerifiedPurchase ..notgreat.Ialwaysenjoythisauthor'sbooks.Thewritingisbeautifulandverypoetic,thedescriptionsofplace,ofnature,ifcustomsareevocativeandspeakofagreatdeal.ofmeticulousresearchwhichImuchenjoyed.However,the"story"isactuallyratherthin,andbecauseno-onecanreallybesureaboutanyoftheeventsitdidn'treallyconvinceme. Readmore 52peoplefoundthishelpful Reportabuse MRSPAClewett4.0outof5stars Onlyawoman ReviewedintheUnitedKingdomonApril6,2020VerifiedPurchase Shewasonlyawoman:whatwasshetotiethegreatestmindoftheagetodomesticity?Norank,noletters,olderthanhim,surelyjustthedowriedoldmaidwhoenabledhisfreedom?ButO'Farrellbestowsonherthatultimatefemininepower,bewitchment.Shecreatesacompelling,enchanting,elusivebeingwhoseesintohermanoneverylevel,supporting,encouraging,enriching,enablingineveryway.Onlyawomancouldhavecreatedthatdepth,thatgrief.Onlyawomanwillweepalongsideherwithsuchabandon. Readmore 50peoplefoundthishelpful Reportabuse insomniac3.0outof5stars Hmmmm... ReviewedintheUnitedKingdomonJuly13,2020VerifiedPurchase Wantedtolikeit.AmafanofShakespeare'sworkandintriguedliketherestoftheworldbyhispersonallife.AndIusuallylikeMaggieO'Farrell'snovels.AndIverymuchenjoyedherHayDigitalFestival2020interviewwithPeterFlorence.But...but...readingthisbookwaslikewadingthroughmudandjustdidn'tevoketheemotionsthatIthinkitshouldhave. Readmore 32peoplefoundthishelpful Reportabuse Seeallreviews Backtotop GettoKnowUs Careers Blog AboutAmazon Sustainability PressCenter InvestorRelations AmazonDevices MakeMoneywithUs SellproductsonAmazon SellappsonAmazon BecomeanAffiliate BecomeaDeliveryDriver Startapackagedeliverybusiness AdvertiseYourProducts Self-PublishwithUs HostanAmazonHub ›SeeMoreWaystoMakeMoney AmazonPaymentProducts AmazonRewardsVisaSignatureCards Amazon.comStoreCard AmazonSecuredCard AmazonBusinessCard AmazonBusinessLineofCredit ShopwithPoints CreditCardMarketplace ReloadYourBalance AmazonCurrencyConverter LetUsHelpYou AmazonandCOVID-19 YourAccount YourOrders ShippingRates&Policies AmazonPrime Returns&Replacements ManageYourContentandDevices AmazonAssistant Help EnglishChoosealanguageforshopping. UnitedStatesChooseacountry/regionforshopping. AmazonMusicStreammillionsofsongs AmazonAdvertisingFind,attract,andengagecustomers AmazonDriveCloudstoragefromAmazon 6pmScoredealsonfashionbrands AbeBooksBooks,art&collectibles ACXAudiobookPublishingMadeEasy AlexaActionableAnalyticsfortheWeb   SellonAmazonStartaSellingAccount AmazonBusinessEverythingForYourBusiness AmazonFreshGroceries&MoreRightToYourDoor AmazonGlobalShipOrdersInternationally HomeServicesExperiencedProsHappinessGuarantee AmazonIgniteSellyouroriginalDigitalEducationalResources AmazonWebServicesScalableCloudComputingServices   AudibleListentoBooks&OriginalAudioPerformances BookDepositoryBooksWithFreeDeliveryWorldwide BoxOfficeMojoFindMovieBoxOfficeData ComiXologyThousandsofDigitalComics DPReviewDigitalPhotography EastDaneDesignerMen'sFashion FabricSewing,Quilting&Knitting   GoodreadsBookreviews&recommendations IMDbMovies,TV&Celebrities IMDbProGetInfoEntertainmentProfessionalsNeed KindleDirectPublishingIndieDigital&PrintPublishingMadeEasy AmazonPhotosUnlimitedPhotoStorageFreeWithPrime PrimeVideoDirectVideoDistributionMadeEasy ShopbopDesignerFashionBrands   AmazonWarehouseGreatDealsonQualityUsedProducts WholeFoodsMarketAmerica’sHealthiestGroceryStore Woot!DealsandShenanigans ZapposShoes&Clothing RingSmartHomeSecuritySystems eeroWiFiStream4KVideoinEveryRoom BlinkSmartSecurityforEveryHome     NeighborsAppReal-TimeCrime&SafetyAlerts AmazonSubscriptionBoxesTopsubscriptionboxes–righttoyourdoor PillPackPharmacySimplified AmazonRenewedLike-newproductsyoucantrust     ConditionsofUsePrivacyNoticeInterest-BasedAds©1996-2022,Amazon.com,Inc.oritsaffiliates