Hamnet

This is a life story of a play writer whose name won't be mentioned not even once in the whole book. He will be a son, a brother, a husband and a a father but never called William. It isn't necessary, is it? The title itself reveals to us enough to want to pick up the book and immerse ourselves into the word's magic of Maggie O'Farrell.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the book and I strongly believe it is a great approach for people who are starting an interest in literature and especially in Shakespeare and his work. It can get quite overwhelming to find a point to start so taking a story-telling book like this one gets you closer and a much more simplified way of reading into it. It is deep, easy to understand and beautifully written. The only reason why I am giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is that it took me quite some time to finish it. It is a bit long and there is not a lot happening, which couldn’t keep my focus on the book. I caught myself getting distracted more often than I wanted to.

Maggie O'Farrell does something extraordinarily beautiful with the scant historical data available on Shakespeare's wife and son. The Bard's name is never mentioned - not even once; he does feature in the book but not as prominently as Agnes (Anne Hathaway). The poetic style of writing or the liberal reimagining of the family's life may not be enjoyable for some; what has stuck with me is the specificity of beauty, the power of O'Farrell's language to build private scenes that a reader may taste and smell, touch and feel.

Detaillierte und sinnliche Beschreibung des Lebens von Agnes (Shakespeares Gemahlin) so wie es gewesen sein könnte Ende 16. Jahrhundert, z.T. etwas langfädig aber trotzdem sehr lesenswert. Der Erzählstrang wechselt ab zwischen der Lebensgeschichte von Agnes und des Todes durch die Pest ihres Sohnes Hamnet, welcher Shakespeare später zum Namen Hamlet inspiriert haben soll. Die Geschichte beschreibt indirekt auch wie Shakespeare sich befreit von der Unterjochung seines überdominanten Vaters, ein Handschuhfabrikant, und wie er seine Liebe und Berufung zum Theater findet. Wieviel hier Fantasie ist, wieviel historisch verbucht müsste nachgeforscht werden und entzieht sich meiner Kenntnisse.