pickIn the Author‘s Note, O‘Farrell writes, “It is not known why Hamnet Shakespeare died; his burial is listed but not the cause of death…this novel is the result of my idle speculation.”
IDLE?!
What a word to describe what she‘s done! This novel is such a powerful act of creation! It‘s horrible. And wonderful. Tender, heartbreaking; infused with time, & art; sickness & healing; myth & nature.
Definitely making it onto my #NYWD list next year. 5⭐️
monalyisha Thank you, @TheKidUpstairs, for giving me the push I needed to read this! I was intimidated, for some reason. I think historical fiction sometimes does that to me; despite knowing that I‘ll learn as I go, the power of all I don‘t know can overwhelm me before I even begin. Add to that the garnering of awards, &, well…🤷♀️ But this novel was totally accessible — if crushing — & absolutely flawless. 💔 I loved it. 3y
TheKidUpstairs This was my absolute top book of 2021, so I'm glad that you read it and loved it to. I get that hesitancy with historical fiction, but I think this was so powerful because she rooted it so fully in the humanity and the family and so it was through their lives and their eyes that you felt the time and place. The end, when Agnes stands in the theatre and watches and goes through anger and grief and understanding and love, it destroyed me 😭😭😭 3y
monalyisha @TheKidUpstairs SAME. And now I‘m just like, “Welp, I guess I‘ll head to work like it‘s a totally normal day & I‘m not *wrecked.*” 😅 3y
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monalyisha #NewYearWhoDis #NYWD22 #NewYearWhoDis22 3y
sprainedbrain One of my favorites last year too! ❤️ 3y
marleed I loved this book. My public library chapter met virtually tonight to discuss, and it was a great discussion. Not everyone loved it as much as I did, but that‘s what makes bookclubs interesting! 3y
monalyisha @marleed Great choice! What were their criticisms/dislikes? 3y
marleed @monalyisha several criticisms were in not liking the detail. One didn‘t like fiction added to history. One didn‘t realize the husband was Shakespeare until 1/3 of the way in. …. I had counter thoughts to each but it‘s a large 1 hour group and I don‘t personally know anyone (like my regular bc) so my library challenge is one comment, two if I just can‘t contain myself. They all agreed to the greatness of the flea and rat detail! 3y
monalyisha @marleed People are so weird. 😅 Of all the things to agree on… 3y
marleed I thought it was genius that Shakespeare was not mentioned by name as it kept me in the author‘s consideration of what she imagined went down. That was actually my comment #1. A reader (above) disagreed with my statement and found that part in the book confusing. 3y
vivastory Wow, you really sold me on this one! It's been on my TBR shelves since it came out and like you I've had a mental block about it. Am definitely going to give it a shot next month! 3y
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