This novel was sparked by questions and curiosity. One of Shakespeare’s plays of great renown, Hamlet, shares the name of his only son, whom the historical record reflects died as a child in 1596, and the play’s appearance follows that death, as far as we know. While knowledge of the play is not required to understand this novel, familiarity will bring greater depth to your appreciation of the book. Was the play an expression of Shakespeare’s grief over the loss of his son? Was the relationship of Hamlet’s parents in the play reflective of some aspect of Shakespeare’s own marriage? It is always dangerous to extrapolate from an author’s work to his or her private life—authors don’t simply write of their lives.

We know very little of Shakespeare’s relationship with Ann Hathaway. She was a few years older than he, he was quite young when he married her, they had three children, daughter Susanna, and the twins Judith and Hamlet, and Hamlet died as a child during a period of plague in the area. These are the scant facts. O’Farrell takes the facts, and begins to weave a wondrous story from them. The relationships between William and Ann, Ann and their extended families, and their children, is largely of her invention, while staying true to what we know of life in Stratford and London in Tudor England. What O’Farrell does is invent a very plausible, very real and emotional story of these people at that time. O’Farrell calls Ann by the name of Agnes, the name her father used in his will. Hamnet is an alternate spelling of Hamlet, a common practice, as accepted spelling in the English language at the time was not settled.

In the time of that plague, one could have a healthy, active child at morning, only to have a very sick child by afternoon, and lose your child to “pestilence” by daybreak. Due to the fear of spreading disease, towns required a quick burial, so little time was allowed for grief. Compounding the loss for Agnes is the necessary separation from her husband so he could pursue his chosen trade, as playwright, producer, director and actor, requiring residence in London. Ann must remain in Stratford, as their daughter Judith has a weak constitution, and would likely fail to thrive in the city. Agnes’s true nature and calling require her to farm a patch of land for herbal remedies, as she is intuitive and trained by the parish priest in her youth in the ways of natural apothecary treatments. She was called upon day and night from the townfolk for such help. This is likely an invention of O’Farrell, and is certainly plausible.

As Hamnet and Judith are twins, the novel examines the closeness of their relationship, and how the loss of one twin impacts the survivor. We also learn that Shakespeare’s father, in O’Farrell’s novel, was abusive of this eldest son, and finding his success away from Stratford was necessary for his mental wellbeing. This Agnes understands, and sacrifices to make work. Grief and loss— of parent for child, of separation on a marriage, these are turned over and examined in this story. For Shakespeare fans, to imagine William and Agnes’s relationship is a special treat. Could Agnes read his plays? Illiteracy was the norm at this time. Did she understand the magnitude of his accomplishments? Rarely is that understood during the artist’s life, although his plays were enjoyed and popular with every level of society, even the Crown.

This is a wonderful historical fiction novel, and I highly recommend it. Go beyond your normal fare, and try this story. It will affect you deeply, as it did me.