March 2021 Bookclub News

 

 

 

Susanna, Hamnet and Judith

Dear Bookclub,

Gratefully escaping 2021 by novel into 1580, Maggie O'Farrell's "Hamnet" stirred the Shakespeare, the plague, and the fright of losing a child in our collective reading experience. Agreeing that "Hamnet" was a beautifully written portrait of the blossoming and breaking of a family, a notorious one at that, we enjoyed discussing the many facets imagined. TG noted that the demise was drawn out, dragging...  reminding me of the moment, halfway through, when I realized this work was just about that: the demise.

 

Eloquently composing the essence of the home, the relationships, twins, helplessness and the countryside, O'Farrell's skill with her tale gave our imaginations a deep, rich journey. Shakespeare, never named yet ever present, widened our eyes to his passion, as he developed from the glover's son via the Latin tutor, the husband and father and most powerfully, the playwright.

 

O'Farrell's illuminating that there is no naming of a twin's position when their match has died, was a flash of understanding that the loss and accompanying pain would never fully fade. Agnes was a favorite character,  the Falconer, an ethereal yet believable heroine. The creative effort O'Farrell put forth was much appreciated. The ending, we thought, well-done.

 

I know if we could have, we would have really enjoyed seeing this. The best review/convincing position is that "It's only an hour long!" Just can't really explain but please check out the link and share your thoughts:

https://artsemerson.org/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=22165849-2C8E-437B-9E26-54EEF8195190#top

and more credibly:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/theater/hamnet-review-dead-centre.html?auth=login-email&login=email  

 

Canadian

 Another head scratcher is the book, "Hamnet and Judith". I believe it is just a different title for the same work published in other countries:

Or "Judith and Hamnet":

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terrie's suggestions for an upcoming read:

 "The Good Neighbors" Sarah Langan* (chosen)

"The Vanishing Half" Brit Bennett

"The Children's Blizzard" Melanie Benjamin

Up Next:

 

 

Happy reading,

LK