Bailey's/Orange Women's Fiction Group discussion

Our June book is Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Reviews:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
https://www.ft.com/content/95c5bdd4-6...
https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/ha...
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/wha...

Interview:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

I ve read everything this author has written so am looking forward to this. Still got to finish The Dutch House first.
Anyone reading Hammett?

Penny wrote: "I ve read everything this author has written so am looking forward to this. Still got to finish The Dutch House first.
Anyone reading Hammett?"

I listened to the audio, and gave it 5 stars. I like The Dutch House too, but Hamnet would be my preference of the two.

I am still hoping the libraries will reopen some time this Summer so that I am able to collect my reserved copy, but I will buy a copy if the closure is extended.

I am missing the libraries too

I have a hold on a digital edition of this from the library but the ETA isn't looking promising. I think I have a credit on libro.fm so I may look there.

It took me a while to get hold of this one, but I have now started reading it.
Agnes is an interesting character.

I have a hard copy but won't be able to start until next week. Val would that be too late to discuss it?

It is never too late, the threads stay open past the nominal 'end date'. I am hoping a few more people will be joining the discussion on this one, as I think it will be popular.
("The Mirror and the Light" is wonderful, in my opinion, but the length makes it a bit daunting, especially for those reading the other books in the trilogy as well.)

I just got this on audio so will be behind as usual!

My library copy just arrived - but I have another book to finish first so behind here too.

I'm listening to this but its slow going

It is worth continuing with Penny, but I agree that the early part of the book is slow going. (P.S. Do not be put off by the fact that I said the same about "Milkman", this one does not stay long-winded. I still love both, but think you will prefer this.)

So I finally got going with this and I am so glad I did. I have loved many of Maggie O’Farrell’s books. This one seemed to not click with me at first. I was listening to it and found it a little confusing with the jumpy timeline. But once I just decided to go with it and immerse into their world I loved it. Agnes was such a brilliant character. I found that as I was listening to it I became aware of rhythms in the writing that were so poetic and evocative. Agnes never felt something once, there would be the first description and then another clause and another all covering the same ground. And yes this made it slow but it also made it rich and deep and something to be savoured!
I need to do a book review for it but wanted to tell you all how much I loved it!!!!!

Just finished this wonderful book. Vivid characters, believable historical details, wonderful.

Carol wrote: "Just finished this wonderful book. Vivid characters, believable historical details, wonderful."

yes Carol - I found it slow going but once I accepted its pace I was captivated. Brilliant book