The world has long thought it knows William Shakespeare. His is, perhaps, the most recognizable name in history. But what do we really know about the man? We know so many of his words, the depth of his intellect, and the sheer genius with which he crafted even the simplest of phrases. Behind all his poetic language was a man with fears, anxieties, and tragedies that weren’t just on paper. Tragedies that he attempted to heal by channeling the depth of his despair onto the page and then onto the stage for people to experience across the span of four centuries and counting.

Now in her novel, Hamnet, author Maggie O’Farrell takes on the task of vividly imagining the life of young Shakespeare beyond his written works, with less emphasis on him and more on his family. The principal protagonist of this story is his wife, Agnes, typically referred to as Anne Hathaway in most records. While her husband was away in London most of the time, Agnes lived a normal country life in Stratford with her children. A strange woman, she was well-versed in herbal remedies and possessed a type of second sight. She knew impossible things with a clarity that confused and intimidated others, making her something of a recluse about town. The first of her children to come along was Susanna, followed by the twins Judith and Hamnet.

Hamnet is presented by O’Farrell as a promising, bright, and steadfast young man, fiercely protective of his mother and sisters. He was the stronger of the twins, Judith barely surviving birth and then struggling with various ailments throughout her life. The family could have never imagined it would be Hamnet who would perish of the black death at the young age of 11. The novel is a deeply psychological portrait of grief. There is no mystery. There are no surprises. We know the story, but that doesn’t lessen the pain we experience alongside Agnes as we witness her shock, horror, and grief at the loss of her young son. Though little is known about the real-life details surrounding his death, O’Farrell created a moving and lyrical tribute to the young lad with Hamnet. It is speculated that he died of the plague, but I don’t believe this has ever been verified in the historical record. In fact, so little is known about Shakespeare’s family life in Stratford and his relationship with his wife that most of the novel is simply an imagined vision of what might have been. Agnes is a figment, one possible variation of an infinite number of grieving mothers who all share the same affliction of having to exist in a reality without a piece of their hearts.

This novel is so beautifully written. Under less competent hands it would fail to honor the legacy of a great writer like William Shakespeare. But this novel does exactly what it should. It places at center stage his wife, Agnes, and her profound grief that would darken the rest of her days. It’s a truly lovely book that will leave the reader feeling raw of spirit, but it’s completely worth it. This is a book that will withstand the test of time.

Published March 31, 2020 by Tinder Press. ASIN B0DLT48DR7. Runtime 12 hrs, 43 mins. Narrated by Ell Potter.