In Maggie O’Farrell’s haunting novel Hamnet, Shakespeare’s wife Agnes (a.k.a. Anne) turns inwards lost in grief after the death of her eleven-year-old son Hamnet. Agnes’ excruciatingly detailed mourning mirrors my own and provides solace. Golden-haired children evoke Hamnet, and some days Agnes doesn’t leave the house. Although my daughter Alix passed away at age twenty-five, I can’t bear to see blonde-haired little girls who remind me of Alix innocent and full of promise; unaware of the upcoming devastation from the onset of her bipolar disorder at age eighteen.
Gosh Julie, such resonance for me in this post. I lost my son Dom to suicide…and now wonder if it was (also) to bipolar 2. Hamnet moved me (and touched on my own loss) too. Sending love 🤗
Thank you for reaching out! And for sharing about Dom. Maybe he did have bipolar II. I discussed Hamnet in my book club but it only touched my loss of a child. It moved and resonated with you in the same way. It is a powerful book for bereaved parents. I wish you had been in that book club discussion too! Love much appreciated. Sending love back!
Thanks for subscribing to Mourning Mom Time Travels! I think you'll really like Hamnet and find it moving. Everyone in my book club gave it two thumbs up.
What a beautiful reference to grief and how none of us can escape it. I wish you strength and courage to continue to live fully and with joy, despite such deep pain. Thank you for sharing.
Gosh Julie, such resonance for me in this post. I lost my son Dom to suicide…and now wonder if it was (also) to bipolar 2. Hamnet moved me (and touched on my own loss) too. Sending love 🤗
Thank you for reaching out! And for sharing about Dom. Maybe he did have bipolar II. I discussed Hamnet in my book club but it only touched my loss of a child. It moved and resonated with you in the same way. It is a powerful book for bereaved parents. I wish you had been in that book club discussion too! Love much appreciated. Sending love back!
Great…I’m about to start up again after a bit of a pause (lots of trauma processing between Feb-April as you may have gathered. Thanks Julie 🙏
Yes…that would have been an interesting discussion to be a part of! Nice to connect Julie 🥰
Nice to connect with you too! I just Subscribed to your Substack and I look forward to receiving your posts!
Thanks for subscribing to Mourning Mom Time Travels! I think you'll really like Hamnet and find it moving. Everyone in my book club gave it two thumbs up.
What a beautiful reference to grief and how none of us can escape it. I wish you strength and courage to continue to live fully and with joy, despite such deep pain. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for empathizing with my grief and wishing me joy as well. Your support is invaluable!
I echo these wishes for Julie and all who mourn.
I’m going to check this book out.
Thank you for providing a literary reference to help your readers to empathize with the grief of losing a child.
I'm glad you appreciated the literary reference! I highly recommend reading the book Hamnet for those in mourning.