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NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD “Of all the stories that argue and speculate about Shakespeare’s life… here is a novel … so gorgeously written that it transports you." —The Boston GlobeIn 1580’s England, during the Black Plague a young Latin tutor falls in love with an extraordinary, eccentric young woman in this “exceptional historical novel” (The New Yorker) and best-selling winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Agnes is a wild creature who walks her family’s land with a falcon on her glove and is known throughout the countryside for her unusual gifts as a healer, understanding plants and potions better than she does people. Once she settles with her husband on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon she becomes a fiercely protective mother and a steadfast, centrifugal force in the life of her young husband, whose career on the London stage is taking off when his beloved young son succumbs to sudden fever.A luminous portrait of a marriage, a shattering evocation of a family ravaged by grief and loss, and a tender and unforgettable re-imagining of a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, and whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays of all time, Hamnet is mesmerizing, seductive, impossible to put down—a magnificent leap forward from one of our most gifted novelists.

Hamnet: A Novel of the Plague, by Maggie O'Farrell, is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their son Hamnet, who died at the age of 11. The novel explores the grief and loss that Agnes experiences after Hamnet's death, as well as her relationship with Shakespeare and their other children.

The novel is set in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in the 16th century. Agnes is a strong and independent woman who is devoted to her family. She is also a skilled healer, and she uses her knowledge of herbs and plants to help her neighbors during the plague. Shakespeare is a successful playwright, but he is often away from home, traveling to London to perform his plays. Hamnet is a curious and intelligent boy who loves to explore the woods near his home. He is also close to his mother, and he often helps her with her healing work.

In 1596, the plague comes to Stratford-upon-Avon. Hamnet falls ill, and Agnes is unable to save him. His death devastates Agnes, and she struggles to come to terms with her grief. She eventually finds solace in her work as a healer, and she becomes a respected member of her community. Shakespeare is also affected by Hamnet's death, and he writes several plays that explore the themes of grief and loss. O'Farrell's novel is a beautifully written and moving story about love, loss, and the power of the human spirit. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction.

Here are some of the themes that O'Farrell explores in Hamnet:

• Grief and loss: Agnes and Shakespeare are both devastated by Hamnet's death. They each experience grief in their own way, and they struggle to find a way to move on with their lives.
• The power of love: Despite the grief and loss that they experience, Agnes and Shakespeare continue to love each other. Their love is a source of strength and comfort for them both.
• The importance of family: Agnes and Shakespeare are both devoted to their family. They are willing to do anything to protect and care for their children.
• The role of women in society: Agnes is a strong and independent woman who is able to make her own way in life. She is also a skilled healer, and she uses her knowledge to help her neighbors. O'Farrell's novel challenges the traditional view of women in the 16th century.

Hamnet is a powerful and moving novel that explores the universal themes of love, loss, and the power of the human spirit. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and literary fiction.