Debating on the rating, but rounding up. I think the memory of this book will stick with me, and it's one that I feel I'd like to discuss "bookclub" style. I am NOT a fan of Shakespeare's works, but this was intriguing. Writing in a pronounced present tense, in an abstract sort of way. The first line is "A boy is coming down a flight of stairs" ... which sounds a little more like a written play than a novel. Perhaps that is the intent (ala Shakespeare's plays)? We don't even get a character name for several paragraphs. It's still "the boy" looking for his grandfather, his uncles, his aunt, the maid, the apprentice ... I wasn't sure we would get a name, but then finally we did, Hamnet. The second name is Ned (the apprentice) and then we are filled in on the other names representing the other relationships - except for Hamnet's father. He is never referred to by name. He is "the Latin tutor" and "the glover's son" and then "the husband" and "the father" ... it did feel awkward, but again, served a purpose (in that while Shakespeare is so famous, this book really isn't about HIM, he's but a secondary player, not one of the leads).

I was listening to the audio version. It was a little hard to keep track of things, with the names not being given, the shifting scenes, different POVs (although it's all 3rd person) and a changing timeline. I downloaded the Kindle sample (I often do this with my audiobooks), and saw that the breaks were a little more obvious in print, with _____ between sections. I think I missed the quick statement "On a morning in early Spring, fifteen years or so before ..." but I had figured out the two timelines. Hamnet's situation in the present, then the introduction to Agnes, who is Hamnet's mother, and we get to see those earlier years. Even this past is told in present tense. There are a few foreshadowing moments, and omniscient knowledge throughout. The speech and symbolism was a little more formal than standard reads, but nothing "Shakespearean".

I don't think it's a spoiler to say that Hamnet dies at age 11. The mother's thoughts and grief hit pretty hard emotionally. The timing ... dealing with a family that just lost a young wife, six year old son and two year old daughter in a car accident. I think it made me dwell even more on what they are going through, and will be going through :(

There had been quite a bit of buzz about this book - I was a little hesitant, but I'm glad I got over that and experienced this story. I really had no idea about Shakespeare's background. I had to Google to check on the specifics (although the author's note at the end was informative and interesting as well, very glad it was included). https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/books/review/hamnet-maggie-ofarrell.html