The Bookshop Recommends: Hamnet

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell is a stunning, deeply felt novel that brings the past vividly to life. Centered on the death of Shakespeare’s young son, Hamnet, the story reimagines the lives of his family—especially his wife, Agnes—as they navigate unimaginable grief and the fragile beauty of love and family. O’Farrell’s writing is lyrical and intimate, capturing both the everyday rhythms of 16th-century life and the emotional depth of a family in mourning. It’s a quiet yet powerful meditation on loss, motherhood, and the enduring echoes of those we love. Tender, haunting, and unforgettable, Hamnet lingers long after the final page.