I've just finished Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

[AngelicaElizaAndPeggy]

What a beautiful and agonising book. I haven't read a book for years where I have found myself so totally lost in it.

It is definitely my favourite book of the year! I was blown away by it.

Yes I agree, I love all her books but think this was the best yet.

Utter shit. so disappointed with it. Didn't finish it as it was overblown, appallingly written cliched nonsense

Agreed. It was beautiful and clever and heartbreaking.

I was disappointed. Agree withBelepheron.
A typical historical Phillipa Gregoryish heroine who faffs about with herbs. Terrible portrayal of Shakespeare as a character who was basically just a twat.

Well, I loved the way she wrote about grief and what it feels like to lose a child. I thought those passages about his loss and absence were so heartrending and tender. And the chapter about the 'peatilencd' and its journey through the world to Stratford was chillingly prescient, given what we are currently living through!

I keep looking at it but haven't quite got around to getting it yet. I've read all her others. I finished "After You'd Gone" last night in fact (nope, no idea why I read her first book last!), but I really wasn't sure if I'd like Hamnet. Historical novels aren't my cup of tea usually.
I should get it, shouldn't I?

I agree OP, I absolutely loved it. I cried when she was describing laying put her dead child and the descriptions of life in the times I found wonderful. It was less about Shakespeare and more about the family. Beautiful.

I loved it too - my book of the year.

It's been a long time since a book made me cry! The descriptions of love and grief are astonishing.

@baublesbaubleseverywhere

I keep looking at it but haven't quite got around to getting it yet. I've read all her others. I finished "After You'd Gone" last night in fact (nope, no idea why I read her first book last!), but I really wasn't sure if I'd like Hamnet. Historical novels aren't my cup of tea usually. I should get it, shouldn't I?

How sad is ‘After you’d gone’ when you realise what going on before she does. Trying not to put in any spoilers but when she’s waiting up...I was crying at the way it was described.

Not my usual cup of tea but i thought it was beautiful. The scene where she is looking at her dead child's baby shoes was heartbreaking.

Ooh I didn't realise she had another book out! Lived after you'd gone, though wasn't so hooked on some of her others.