Elise’s Reviews > Hamnet > Status Update

I’m getting more accustomed to the author’s style. Newest running theory: Maggie writes with hyper-flowery fig lang to more deeply embody Agnes’ manic-pixie-dream-girl state of mind. I guess the author really thinks Will Shakes was a performative male?

Agnes has powers. And oh boy, does she have some kooky Mother Earth powers. Think OG crunchy - talks to animals, foresees the future (read: her husband-who-must-not-be-named has the potential of an untamed expanse - WOW), and also knows which leaves to rub on a mosquito bite. Maggie truly knows her god is a woman fan base.

Just finished the chapter detailing ad nauseam how a character was infected by the bubonic plague. Did I need to know about the entire backstory of the Manx boy who wanted to pet the monkey with the bubonic flea? Did I need to know how that flea enjoyed the sailor’s alcoholic blood? To Maggie, you bet I did!

So. Many. Lists. This author writes an unseemly long list every other page. Running theory: she originally wrote this as a screenplay OR she thinks the synonym dumping is magical. It really reads as a screenplay though. Last query: why oh why must Will Shakes be unnamed? It’s awkward and petty.

This exposition is fraught with epic similes. It would make Homer jealous. The vignettes about each character in town were too incongruous. Hopefully things get strung together later in the novel. Does no one edit structure anymore? Came to this book after the gorgeous movie and already thinking the book is not better.