My background is Art History, even having studied abroad in Florence, so I was really loving both the Italian aspect and the extensive connection to painting and art making. Even with that drawing me in, I was really wavering at the midpoint and I needed to push through the novel. It was hovering around a 4, but just like she did for me in Hamnet, that last chapter elevated the whole book in a big leap. I loved the painting of the pine marten he sent her for the engagement, and the hope that he could be a good man. And the nursemaid’s frantic goodbye. O’Farrell is amazing at transporting us to another time and place and giving jewel like moments of emotion and intensity that make her characters alive. She has an immediacy in her writing and is cinematic as well. I read Ali Smith’s How to Be Both around the same time and they were a lovely pairing. But it was the wish fulfillment that made the book for me and brought it to the next level, I don’t know what I might of made of the book without that. Hamnet for me is the stronger book, but like you I’m excited to read more and see where she takes us.
Ooh, very interesting to hear your thoughts, coming from an art history angle! But definitely agree about how the book takes a sudden turn. And I definitely agree about how cinematic it all is! How To Be Both is a great comparison! Such a fascinating book!
Thanks, Bob!🌷I’ve stopped watching at the end of the spoiler-free part of the video, as I’m going to read The Marriage Portrait soon. Very much looking forward to it!
Only just caught up with watching this now since I've finished reading the books. You make such good points about the strengths of the books and O'Farrell's use of description/language. I loved it too. I also really adored O'Farrell's novel This Must Be The Place. It's so interesting to see how she handles a contemporary setting compared to her two recent historical novels.
I loved it. It felt like a really cosy read to me albeit that there are so many glimpses of violence in the story. Other than this and Hamnet, I have read and also enjoyed The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox which is quite a different story again. I will read anything Maggie O'Farrell writes in the future.
I loved the writing and hence my high ratings for it but i was a bit underwhelmed with the plot and ending. I also really felt nothing much was going on but again i was propelled to read it through because of the exquisite writing that i enjoyed.
I also loved this, beautiful writing and although I was worried that knowing the end was a huge spoiler - it turned out to be so tense! i hope it is entered for a prize as then I can read it again!
I can't wait to read the The Marriage Portrait. I'm on the waiting list at my library for it. It'll be my first book by her. I picked up Hamnet second hand from a charity shop too. Which one would you recommend I start with? ☺
Just came here to say I hated this book. Ending sucked. Sometimes, it was unnecessary descriptive and wordy. The story rumbled on waaay too slowly for my liking. I hope this helps someone. If you're more into beautiful writing, then maybe you'll like it
My background is Art History, even having studied abroad in Florence, so I was really loving both the Italian aspect and the extensive connection to painting and art making. Even with that drawing me in, I was really wavering at the midpoint and I needed to push through the novel. It was hovering around a 4, but just like she did for me in Hamnet, that last chapter elevated the whole book in a big leap.
I loved the painting of the pine marten he sent her for the engagement, and the hope that he could be a good man. And the nursemaid’s frantic goodbye. O’Farrell is amazing at transporting us to another time and place and giving jewel like moments of emotion and intensity that make her characters alive. She has an immediacy in her writing and is cinematic as well.
I read Ali Smith’s How to Be Both around the same time and they were a lovely pairing. But it was the wish fulfillment that made the book for me and brought it to the next level, I don’t know what I might of made of the book without that. Hamnet for me is the stronger book, but like you I’m excited to read more and see where she takes us.
Ooh, very interesting to hear your thoughts, coming from an art history angle! But definitely agree about how the book takes a sudden turn.
And I definitely agree about how cinematic it all is!
How To Be Both is a great comparison! Such a fascinating book!
Thanks, Bob!🌷I’ve stopped watching at the end of the spoiler-free part of the video, as I’m going to read The Marriage Portrait soon. Very much looking forward to it!
Ahh, I hope you enjoy it!
This book sounds fascinating! I've not read anything by Maggie O'Farrell, but she sounds like a knockout author!
She’s so great! So much tenderness and cleverness in her writing!
Only just caught up with watching this now since I've finished reading the books. You make such good points about the strengths of the books and O'Farrell's use of description/language. I loved it too. I also really adored O'Farrell's novel This Must Be The Place. It's so interesting to see how she handles a contemporary setting compared to her two recent historical novels.
Ah nice! And thank you! I’m so keen to read more of here- I’ll have to check that one out! Thanks!
I loved it. It felt like a really cosy read to me albeit that there are so many glimpses of violence in the story. Other than this and Hamnet, I have read and also enjoyed The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox which is quite a different story again. I will read anything Maggie O'Farrell writes in the future.
Definitely! The violence is so startling because of how luscious the rest of the book is!
Ooh, thanks for the recommendation!
I loved the writing and hence my high ratings for it but i was a bit underwhelmed with the plot and ending. I also really felt nothing much was going on but again i was propelled to read it through because of the exquisite writing that i enjoyed.
Ahh, totally fair! And I’m often more inclined to love something based on writing than plot, so it suited me well aha
You felt like nothing much was going because... nothing much did happen plot-wise. I was thoroughly disappointed
I also loved this, beautiful writing and although I was worried that knowing the end was a huge spoiler - it turned out to be so tense! i hope it is entered for a prize as then I can read it again!
Yes! I really thought it was clever how knowing the end just made the whole book more tense! And yes, fingers crossed it gets some prize love!
feeling free and heading out....sounds like a great book.
Thank you! I hope you like it if you read it
@@BobTheBookerer 😀
I can't wait to read the The Marriage Portrait. I'm on the waiting list at my library for it. It'll be my first book by her. I picked up Hamnet second hand from a charity shop too. Which one would you recommend I start with? ☺
Ahh, exciting! I hope you liked it!
I’ve only read Marriage and Hamnet by her, but I liked reading Hamnet first!
Just came here to say I hated this book. Ending sucked. Sometimes, it was unnecessary descriptive and wordy. The story rumbled on waaay too slowly for my liking. I hope this helps someone. If you're more into beautiful writing, then maybe you'll like it