Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Maggie O'Farrell is a favourite author of mine. I recently read two of her books; Hamnet and My Lover's Lover.  The latter book is one rather typical for O'Farrell. Her psychological insight into our minds, our actions and our feelings. Her much appraised novel Hamnet has got very good reviews and it has been on my shelves for some months. I read it for a book club and we had a very interesting discussion.

"On a summer's day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a sudden fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Why is nobody at home?

Their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away, in the garden where she grows medicinal herbs. Their father is working in London. 

Neither parent know that Hamnet will not survive the week.

Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright: a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, but whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays ever written."

The good reviews are well deserved. Since it is, loosely, based on Shakespeare and his family, it is, in a way different from O'Farrell's usual books. Having said that, one can say that she has taken her skills of creating interesting characters to an extra ordinary level.

The only thing we really know about Shakespeare is that we don't really know very much. O'Farrell has done her research, and from what is known, used her creativity to write a fascinating story of Shakespeare's family in Stratford-upon-Avon. 

The book starts with Hamnet when he discovers that his twin sister Judith is sick. Nobody is at home, in a house usually filled with people.  

"The boy opens his mouth. He calls the names, one by one, of all the people who live here, in this house. His grandmother. The maid. His uncles. His aunt. The apprentice. His grandfather. The boy tries them all, one after another. For a moment, it crosses his mind to call his father's name, to shout for him, but his father is miles and hours and days away, in London, where the boy has never been.

But where, he would like to know, are his mother, his older sister, his grandmother, his uncles? Where is the maid? Where is his grandfather, who tends not to leave the house by day, who is usually to be found in the workshop, harrying his apprentice or reckoning his takings in a ledger? Where is everyone? How can both houses be empty?"

So wonderfully written, making us feel Hamnet's desperation when he does not know what to do. He runs down the street to find the doctor, who, of course, happens to be out. The doctor's housekeeper understands his peril and tells him he will tell the doctor to pass by. 11 years old and all alone in a desperate situation.

The story is mainly told from Hamnet's, the mother's and the father's point of view. The present day peril is mixed with the story of how Agnes (Anne Hathaways) and John (Shakespeare) met and what happened next. Agnes was considered a strange lady, she could see into the future, and lived her life in her own way. John falls in love with Agnes the first time he sees her. The description of their lives, marriage and family affairs is a joy to read. A juicy tale to say the least. The absent John who moves to London to pursue his interesting in writing. The ever present Agnes who deals with herbs and have people passing by to buy potions for various illnesses and conditions. How a happy marriage and family change as Hamnet dies.

The whole family is affected, but mostly it affects Agnes. Like she accuses herself of not being able to protect her son. It is emotional and hard to read. How parents mourn differently, and the feeling that they can no longer understand each other. When Agnes gets words that John has named his latest play Hamlet, she is devastated and does not understand. She goes to London to face him.

It is wonderfully written, although made-up, of an unusual family, in 16th century England. I have visited Shakespeare's house in Stratford-upon-Avon, and maybe that is why I felt so attached to the story. I could see the house in front of me, the streets, the inns, the church and shops and thus follow the characters on their daily chores. O'Farrell makes her characters come alive, and we either like or dislike them. They are never indifferent. 

I said earlier that this story is different from her others, since it is based on real persons. However, considering the characters that are developed in this story, one can see her usual knowledge and skill in shaping characters that we can all feel with, or maybe recognise from ourselves, or someone we know. It is moving, emotional and full of life, especially in Agnes' character. O'Farrell takes us along a trip to this old, small village, its life and people. We feel the shadow of Shakespeare and his plays and feel amazed that he still lives with us 400 years later.