HAMNET by Maggie O’farrell

In “Hamnet,” author Maggie O’Farrell presents a haunting and beautifully crafted work of literary fiction that delves into the heart of a family ravaged by grief. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award and a NEW YORK TIMES bestseller, “Hamnet” offers a luminous portrayal of a marriage and the profound loss that inspired one of the most celebrated plays of all time.

Set in England in 1580, as the Black Death sweeps across the land, Maggie O’Farrell weaves a tale of love, loss, and resilience. At the story’s center is a young Latin tutor, who falls deeply in love with Agnes, an extraordinary woman known for her healing gifts and her fierce independence. As they build their life together in Stratford-upon-Avon, Agnes becomes the anchor of their family, even as her husband’s career on the London stage begins to flourish.

But when their young son, Hamnet, succumbs to a sudden fever, their world is shattered. In “Hamnet,” Maggie O’Farrell explores the enduring impact of grief and the ways in which art and memory can transcend even the most devastating loss. This poignant work of literary fiction is a testament to the power of storytelling and the indelible marks that love and loss leave on our lives.