28 Nov 2025
1h 2m

Book Club: Let's Talk About 'Hamnet'

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The Book Review

In this episode of The Book Review Podcast, MJ Franklin leads a discussion with Sarah Lyall, Jen Harlan, and Leah Greenblatt about Maggie O'Farrell's novel "Hamnet." The panel explores the novel's themes of grief, parenthood, and the mysteries surrounding Shakespeare's life, particularly his relationship with his wife, Agnes, and the impact of his son Hamnet's death on his work. They delve into O'Farrell's writing style, the historical context, and the characters' emotional depths, also touching upon the recent film adaptation, its faithfulness to the book, and the performances. The group concludes with recommendations for similar books and a reveal of their December book club pick, "What We Can Know" by Ian McEwan.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction and Context

Part 2: Agnes and Shakespeare

Part 3: Narrative and Grief

Part 4: Adaptation and Recommendations

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