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In this episode we’re comparing the Hamnet book vs the Hamnet movie adaptation to see which version tells the story better.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell became one of the most talked about historical novels of recent years, telling the story of Hamnet, the son of William Shakespeare, and the devastating impact his death had on the family. The novel is famous for its incredible atmosphere and emotional storytelling.

But how does the Hamnet film adaptation directed by Chloé Zhao compare?

In this episode we break down the key differences between the Hamnet book and movie, including what the film changes, what it keeps, and whether simplifying the story actually makes the adaptation stronger.

I talk about:

• The incredible atmosphere in the Hamnet novel
• Why the story isn’t really about Shakespeare at all
• Hamnet’s inner monologue and why it makes the tragedy even more devastating
• The performances in the Hamnet movie
• The emotional moments that completely ruined us (yes… the “my boy” scene)
• Why the film reaches Hamnet’s death much earlier
• And whether the movie or the book tells the story of Shakespeare’s family better

If you’re interested in book vs movie comparisons, literary adaptations, Shakespeare history, or Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, this episode breaks down everything that works — and what doesn’t — in both versions of the story.