I just found your channel & was scrolling your past videos when I came across this review. I read Hamnet back in April and devoured it in 2 days. I immediately told everyone who would listen to me that they needed to read this exquisite book. It is a masterpiece. My favorite book of 2020. Nice review.
thank you for saying so. I so badly wanted to land this one, having loved the book so much. It's long! haha but she deserved it. I really and truly cannot wait to see your review on this book. This is one I KNOW we will both agree on. :D
Great review! You at the end of the book was basically me at the end of the book. I hadn't noticed that the chapter breaks stopped after Hamnet's death--now I want to go back and reread!
Thanks for watching! :D Soooo many moments to break down in this book. its just so dang impressive. I'm already craving a re-read myself! haha Any book come close to this for you in 2020 so far?
@@ZimmReads I really loved Song of Solomon a lot, but I have an intellectual response to that one and an emotional response to this one--so even then it's different.
@@SupposedlyFun I have yet to dive into Toni Morrison. I have heard so much good. For me, How Much of These Hills is Gold is my 2nd favorite of the year, but its not close enough to the emotional impact Hamnet gave me to be a contender. Loved it though.
@@SupposedlyFun How Much of These Hills is Gold has been somewhat polarizing among @KDBooks bookclub. some of us ADORE it and others DESPISE it. So intrigued to know which side you land on. :D
Hey Zimm, I'm a bit late to the party as I wanted to wait until I'd read Hamnet myself. I was absolutely floored by this book, and I think your review really does it justice. I vlogged the reading experience as I didn't feel able to review it properly at the time. The opening with the quote was so beautiful! Funnily enough, I've seen that passage quoted a few times, and while I love the writing, this was actually the one passage I didn't quite 'buy' (as far as this being from the perspective of an 11 year old). That aside, the writing was just exquisite, the portrayal of grief so apt... And the ending! Was also struck by its structure and her skill of picking up the strands every time when we enter the present time, maintaining that tension, and then the continuous narrative in part two, casting away the artifice, the distinction between before and after the loss. I have a serious case of book hangover now. This definitely needs to be re-read. Hope you're doing OK and to see you back here soon!
I loved this book SO MUCH more than I expected. I put off reading it because I was worried the hype was too much. How wrong I was. You nailed this review!
thank you!! what a wonderful novel. I read it before it won the women's prize and I'm glad there was less hype then cause I know exactly what you mean!
Perhaps in describing the mother's awareness you meant to say "plateau" rather than "platitude"? At any rate, beautiful review. I'm hooked, and will definitely read the book!
hahaha i think I smushed "plane" and "latitude" together haha in any case, platitude is not the right word for that sentence. thanks for watching and I'd love to hear how you experience Hamnet when you read it!
This is the top selling novel in the UK in April 2021. Even though Hamnet, Shakespeare's son, died aged 11 in 1596, not of the plague because the plague hit Stratford Upon Avon in 1564, the author has Hamnet die of the plague after his sister caught it. Pulls at emotional heart strings to bring in the plague. I care about historical facts. Obviously many don't.
Yes back when it came out and still passages stick with me, as a parent I felt physically struck by the effects of it. It's my favourite this year and I agree it would have been a worthy Booker winner
@@cathiealdridge2016 exact same effect for me. my son is only 3 and I just felt every moment of grief cut through me so profoundly. my favorite read of the year so far as well. What are you reading now? I'm about to start The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
I just started Real life today after I finished Three daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak. I'm also about to finish Olive Kitteridge which is one of those smooth freshly tarmacked reads that we all need every so often
I just found your channel & was scrolling your past videos when I came across this review. I read Hamnet back in April and devoured it in 2 days. I immediately told everyone who would listen to me that they needed to read this exquisite book. It is a masterpiece. My favorite book of 2020. Nice review.
I think you’ve found your flow in reviewing now. This is elevated from what How Much was
thank you for saying so. I so badly wanted to land this one, having loved the book so much. It's long! haha but she deserved it. I really and truly cannot wait to see your review on this book. This is one I KNOW we will both agree on. :D
Totally agree- you have found your flow with this one
@@juliehere4yang763 THANK YOU!
this was yet another amazing beautiful review excellent work zimm I am proud of you
thank you so much! this was a labor of love. have you read this one?
Zimm Reads no not yet but I will because of Greg and you
@@rainbowskygayandproud5507 YESSS! be sure to come and let me know how you find it. :D
Zimm Reads I will
Great review! You at the end of the book was basically me at the end of the book. I hadn't noticed that the chapter breaks stopped after Hamnet's death--now I want to go back and reread!
Thanks for watching! :D Soooo many moments to break down in this book. its just so dang impressive. I'm already craving a re-read myself! haha Any book come close to this for you in 2020 so far?
@@ZimmReads I really loved Song of Solomon a lot, but I have an intellectual response to that one and an emotional response to this one--so even then it's different.
@@SupposedlyFun I have yet to dive into Toni Morrison. I have heard so much good. For me, How Much of These Hills is Gold is my 2nd favorite of the year, but its not close enough to the emotional impact Hamnet gave me to be a contender. Loved it though.
@@ZimmReads I need to get to How Much of These Hills is Gold. I adore and admire Morrison very much.
@@SupposedlyFun How Much of These Hills is Gold has been somewhat polarizing among @KDBooks bookclub. some of us ADORE it and others DESPISE it. So intrigued to know which side you land on. :D
I couldn’t help crying watching this review so I’m sure to need the Kleenex while I’m reading! Such a beautiful review!
you are going to LOVE this book. I can't wait to hear how it unravels you.
Hey Zimm, I'm a bit late to the party as I wanted to wait until I'd read Hamnet myself. I was absolutely floored by this book, and I think your review really does it justice.
I vlogged the reading experience as I didn't feel able to review it properly at the time.
The opening with the quote was so beautiful! Funnily enough, I've seen that passage quoted a few times, and while I love the writing, this was actually the one passage I didn't quite 'buy' (as far as this being from the perspective of an 11 year old).
That aside, the writing was just exquisite, the portrayal of grief so apt... And the ending!
Was also struck by its structure and her skill of picking up the strands every time when we enter the present time, maintaining that tension, and then the continuous narrative in part two, casting away the artifice, the distinction between before and after the loss.
I have a serious case of book hangover now. This definitely needs to be re-read.
Hope you're doing OK and to see you back here soon!
Stunning review Zimm!! I really liked the flashbacks.
Thank you so much! you have GOT to read this book!!!!! seriously.
I loved this book SO MUCH more than I expected. I put off reading it because I was worried the hype was too much. How wrong I was. You nailed this review!
thank you!! what a wonderful novel. I read it before it won the women's prize and I'm glad there was less hype then cause I know exactly what you mean!
I love the raw vulnerable ache and beauty typified in this review. Only a stunning story could evoke it. Very excited to read this book!
you are going to love it! can't wait to see how it touches you. thanks so much :D
Great review! I am so glad you enjoyed this book :)
Oh man!!! Loved it!! Are you married now?!?!? CONGRATS!!!
Zimm Reads Thank you!!! Yes we are married now, it was exhausting but nice 😁
@@drawyourbook876 WOOHOO!!!
thank you for the review, will pick the book up at some point
thanks for watching! Yes, this is one to certainly read at least once. For me, to be read, multiple times. Are you reading anything currently?
@@ZimmReads Always, currently reading a lot of excellent books by Joanne Harris such as Orfeia and Gospel of Loki !
@@AndrewBuckleBookReviews I have never read anything by her! where do you recommend starting?
Perhaps in describing the mother's awareness you meant to say "plateau" rather than "platitude"? At any rate, beautiful review. I'm hooked, and will definitely read the book!
hahaha i think I smushed "plane" and "latitude" together haha in any case, platitude is not the right word for that sentence. thanks for watching and I'd love to hear how you experience Hamnet when you read it!
Based on this thoughtful review, I subscribed!
This is the top selling novel in the UK in April 2021. Even though Hamnet, Shakespeare's son, died aged 11 in 1596, not of the plague because the plague hit Stratford Upon Avon in 1564, the author has Hamnet die of the plague after his sister caught it. Pulls at emotional heart strings to bring in the plague. I care about historical facts. Obviously many don't.
And yet it didn't make the Booker!! How?
EXACTLY!!! I am stunned. This would have swept the table in my opinion. So glad she got the Women's Prize for Fiction. Have you read Hamnet?
Yes back when it came out and still passages stick with me, as a parent I felt physically struck by the effects of it. It's my favourite this year and I agree it would have been a worthy Booker winner
@@cathiealdridge2016 exact same effect for me. my son is only 3 and I just felt every moment of grief cut through me so profoundly. my favorite read of the year so far as well. What are you reading now? I'm about to start The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.
I just started Real life today after I finished Three daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak. I'm also about to finish Olive Kitteridge which is one of those smooth freshly tarmacked reads that we all need every so often
@@cathiealdridge2016 how are you experiencing Real Life?
Me, too........Me, too....... Thanks, Maggie............... Bob Shelley, Houston
Myan I can feel it