WINNER OF THE 2020 WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION .ON A SUMMER’S DAY IN 1596, A YOUNG GIRL IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON TAKES TO HER BED WITH A SUDDEN FEVER. HER TWIN BROTHER, HAMNET, SEARCHES EVERYWHERE FOR HELP. WHY IS NOBODY AT HOME? THEIR MOTHER, AGNES, IS OVER A MILE AWAY, IN THE GARDEN WHERE SHE GROWS MEDICINAL HERBS. THEIR FATHER IS WORKING IN LONDON. NEITHER PARENT KNOWS THAT HAMNET WILL NOT SURVIVE THE WEEK. HAMNET IS A NOVEL INSPIRED BY THE SON OF A FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHT: A BOY WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN ALL BUT FORGOTTEN, BUT WHOSE NAME WAS GIVEN TO ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED PLAYS EVER WRITTEN