- Date Published:
2020 - Length:
320 pages—Listening Time: 12 hr 43 minutes - Genre:
Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction - Setting:
1580s and 1596; Warwickshire and Stratford-on-Avon, England - Awards:
Women's Prize for Fiction Winner 2020; Not the Booker Prize Shortlist 2020; National Book Critics Circle Award Winner Fiction 2020; British Book Awards Winner Fiction Book of the Year 2021; Irish Book Award Nominee Novel 2020; Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction Longlist Fiction 2021; Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction Shortlist 2021; Books Are My Bag Readers' Award Winner Readers' Choice 2020; BookTube Prize Gold Fiction 2021; Waterstones Book of the Year Winner Book of the Year 2020; South Bank Sky Arts Award Literature 2021; Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee Historical Fiction 2020; Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year Fiction 2020; NPR: Books We Love 2020; The New York Times Notable Books of the Year Fiction 2020; Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year Historical Fiction 2020; Historical Novel Society Editors' Choice Notable Books List Fiction 2021; The great escape: 50 brilliant books to transport you this summer Fiction; New York Public Library Best Books For Adults Top Ten 2020; Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2020; El País Los mejores 25 libros 2021; King County Library System Best Books Fiction Books 2020 - Languages:
Catalan, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish, Swedish, Portuguese (Portugal) - Sensitive Aspects:
Grief, death, trauma, gender inequality, domestic struggle, violence, illness - Movie:
A film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel Hamnet is in development, with Chloé Zhao directing and co-writing the screenplay with O'Farrell. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley star as the young William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes (Anne Hathaway in the book), respectively. The film is a United Kingdom production, and filming began in Wales in July 2024. The movie will be released in the United States in December 2025. - Recommend for Book Club:
YES, YES, YES!
Have you ever been so absorbed in a book that you never wanted it to end? When I listened to Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, I wanted to curl up into it. It was so exquisitely beautiful that I wanted to become a part of the book and be there, right next to the characters. I wanted to slap the grandfather real hard, several times. I wanted to gather herbs with Agnes and feed her kestrel. I even saw myself kneading bread dough with Susanna. And, oh my, how I wanted to hug the precious little boy named Hamnet over and over again.
This is one of those unique books that will imprint your life forever. The only fault I can find with it is that it ended.
Hamnet, written by Maggie O’Farrell, is a historical novel that reimagines the life of William Shakespeare’s family, focusing on the overlooked story of his wife, Agnes (historically known as Anne Hathaway), and their children, particularly their son Hamnet, who died at age eleven. The novel takes place in 1580s Warwickshire, England, at a time when the bubonic plague was rife.
The story begins with Hamnet desperately seeking help as his twin sister, Judith, becomes gravely ill with plague symptoms. Their mother, Agnes, is away gathering medicinal herbs, while their father is in London working as a playwright. Despite the family's efforts to save him, Hamnet ultimately sacrifices himself by trading places with Judith in a mystical moment.
O’Farrell’s narrative centers on Agnes, portraying her as a woman with healing gifts and an almost supernatural connection to the natural world. She portrays him as fiercely devoted to her family, skillfully navigating through grief and loss. The novel delves deeply into the emotional aftermath of family trauma and tragedy, examining how it affects Agnes, her marriage, and her children.
Notably, Shakespeare himself is never named in the novel; he is referred to only as “husband” or “father,” keeping the focus on Agnes and the family’s experience. The book intricately details daily life in 16th-century England, covering everything from domestic routines to the harsh realities of disease and mortality.
Hamnet is also a meditation on grief, motherhood, and the creative process. The novel suggests that Shakespeare's family profoundly influenced him and inspired the writing of his famous play, Hamlet; at that time, the names Hamnet and Hamlet were interchangeable.
Winner of the 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction, Hamnet is celebrated for its lyrical prose, emotional depth, and its fresh, intimate perspective on a family touched by both extraordinary creativity and devastating loss.
You should read Hamnet if you appreciate beautifully written historical fiction that delves into universal themes of love, loss, and the complexities of family. Its unique perspective on Shakespeare’s family, combined with O’Farrell’s lyrical style and emotional depth, make it a standout novel that resonates far beyond its historical setting.
Here are additional reasons to read this stunning book:
Profound Exploration of Grief and Family
The novel offers a deeply moving portrayal of how a family copes with the sudden loss of a child. It explores the emotional landscape of grief and how it shapes relationships within the family, especially between Agnes (Shakespeare’s wife) and her children. The story is not just about loss but also about resilience and the enduring bonds of love, making it relatable to anyone who has experienced grief or family challenges.
Beautiful and Lyrical Writing
Many praise Maggie O'Farrell for her evocative and poetic prose. Her writing style immerses readers in 16th-century England, bringing to life the textures, sounds, and emotions of the era. The narrative is both tender and haunting, with scenes that linger in the reader’s mind long after finishing the book.
Unique Perspective on Shakespeare’s Family
Unlike most historical fiction about Shakespeare, Hamnet shifts the focus away from the famous playwright and instead centers on the overlooked stories of his wife and children. This fresh perspective gives voice to the women and domestic life often neglected in history. The character of Agnes is especially compelling—portrayed as a healer and a fiercely protective mother, she is given agency and depth rarely afforded to historical female figures.
Rich Historical and Emotional Context
The novel blends meticulous historical research with imaginative storytelling, offering insights into daily life during the plague years and the impact of disease on families and communities. O’Farrell’s recreation of the era is vivid and authentic, yet the themes of fate, love, and ambition feel timeless and universal.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
Hamnet has received widespread acclaim, including winning the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020, and is often recommended for book clubs and literary discussions. Critics and readers alike highlight its emotional power, literary quality, and the way it reimagines history with empathy and imagination.
Hamnet is a read that will make you feel and think, lingering long after you put the book down.
Get Maggie O'Farrell Boks
Immerse yourself in Maggie O’Farrell’s spellbinding reimagining of Shakespeare’s family life, where love and grief intertwine in Hamnet, a luminous novel that brings history’s hidden voices to unforgettable life.
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Here are recommendations for books similar to Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, focusing on rich historical settings, emotional depth, and compelling family stories:
Historical Fiction with Emotional Depth
- The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Another evocative historical novel by O’Farrell, set in Renaissance Italy, focusing on a young woman in a politically arranged marriage. - Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
Set in a 17th-century English village during the plague, this novel explores grief, community, and resilience, paralleling some themes in Hamnet. - Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
A masterful reimagining of Thomas Cromwell’s rise in Tudor England, known for its immersive historical detail and complex characters. The dialogue is perfect. - Matrix by Lauren Groff
About a young woman sent to a medieval abbey, this novel delves into female ambition, power, and the supernatural. - Company of Liars by Karen Maitland
Set in plague-ridden medieval England, this story follows a group of travelers trying to survive, blending history and mystery.
Family, Grief, and Resilience
- Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
A poignant story about a young boy caring for his alcoholic mother in 1980s Glasgow, exploring themes of love, loss, and survival. - The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Explores the long-lasting impact of family trauma and the bonds between siblings, with a strong emotional core. - My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
A moving tale of a woman reflecting on her family and upbringing, with subtle but powerful emotional resonance.
Shakespeare-Inspired or Themed
- The Spy of Venice by Benet Brandreth
A swashbuckling historical thriller imagining Shakespeare’s “lost years” and his adventures in Venice, drawing on the playwright’s life and work. - Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
A novel about the woman who may have inspired Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady” sonnets, blending romance and historical detail. - Boy by Nicole Galland
Explores the life of a much sought after "boy player" in Shakespeare's company.
Other Highly Recommended Historical Fiction
- The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Focuses on the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary and the women behind the scenes, with a strong sense of historical atmosphere. - Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
This sweeping, multi-generational story effectively connects the past and present through the power of storytelling. - The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Imagines the life of Jesus’ wife, offering a vivid and emotional historical perspective.
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