Hamnet was not the book I expected it to be at all. I went into reading this expecting a book about Shakespeare and his son Hamnet. In actual fact, Sheakespeare took a back seat throughout the whole book. He was never named, only described by his roles as: the tutor, the brother, the husband and the father. His role and relationship to his family were the important factors rather than his infamous identity as a playwright. The books focus was on Agnes, or Anne Hathaway as she is better known, his wife. This was a book about motherhood, womanhood, family, relationships, siblings, and grief.

This book is slow and so incredibly detailed. It looks at the moments of everyday life. Agnes creating her poultices to heal; Agnes flying her bird; Agnes walking through the forests to find herbs and berries. Hamnet playing with his sister' Hamnet worried about his sick sister. The relationship between Agnes and her husband; the relationship between siblings, between parent and child. These everyday actions and relationship were central to the feel and the life of the story. I would have expected this to bore me, but it helped to bring the world of Shakespearean England to life and the world that Agnes lived in.

Agnes for me was the highlight of this book. She was smart, devoted, and painfully human. She felt life deeply and it was clear that she had strong beliefs and attitudes. She also loved her children deeply and this shined through every page where their relationship was described. She was a mother and motherhood was central to this book, but it wasn't the only aspect of her character. I loved that she did not bend to anybody. I loved that she was able to see through Shakespeare and humanise and ground him. She made him a normal father, husband, son, brother.

I absolutely adored when she immediately knew that Shakespeare had been with other women, that she could scold and judge him and she walked away. I liked that he had to earn her back and that she was shown to be so strong

. Agnes took my heart and my heart broke for Agnes in this book.

I honestly did not expect to love or like this book so much, despite all the hype it has received I thought it might have just been overrated). I am happy to say that I was wrong and I can entirely see why this sits on the Women's Prize shortlist.