Historical · Literary
Hamnet
In late sixteenth-century Warwickshire, the story follows Agnes, a healer, and her husband, a Latin tutor who becomes a playwright. It centres on the death of their young son Hamnet.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2019
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Medium
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like lyrical historical fiction focused on love, family and grief.
Skip this if you want a book about Shakespeare's career or find child loss unbearable.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Hamnet
- What is Hamnet about?
- In late sixteenth-century Warwickshire, the story follows Agnes, a healer, and her husband, a Latin tutor who becomes a playwright. It centres on the death of their young son Hamnet.
- Who should read Hamnet?
- Read it if you like lyrical historical fiction focused on love, family and grief. Skip it if you want a book about Shakespeare's career or find child loss unbearable.
- How long and how fast is Hamnet?
- It is a slow-paced, medium read, first published in 2019.
- Does Hamnet have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Child death, Death, Grief.
- Can I borrow Hamnet for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Hamnet; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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| Audiobook | ||
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