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Ep 513: Maggie O’Farrell on writing for the page and screen

Feb 10, 2026

Guest

Maggie O'Farrell

Maggie O’Farrell, novelist and screenwriter behind Hamnet and its film adaptation, talks craft and collaboration. She discusses moving from solitary novel writing to co-writing for Chloe Zhao, choosing what to keep or strip for the screen, and how visual storytelling restores lush detail. They explore balancing grief with celebration and how adaptation reshaped her creative practice.

45:43

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INSIGHT

Collaboration As Creative Growth

Maggie O'Farrell accepted screenwriting to learn and collaborate outside her novelist comfort zone.
She saw co-writing with Chloe Zhao as a chance to stretch creatively and embrace teamwork.

insights

INSIGHT

Adaptation Requires Surgical Editing

Adapting a 360-page novel required stripping and rebalancing narrative threads for a 90-page screenplay.
Maggie and Chloe kept the book's core structure while accepting the film as a non-identical twin.

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ADVICE

Trust Your Film Collaborators

Trust collaborators to restore nuance removed from a screenplay during filming.
Rely on set designers, cinematographers, costume designers, and actors to re-infuse detail.

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How screenwriting entered Maggie's life

21:48 • 2min

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Why Chloe Zhao's vision mattered

23:45 • 2min

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Collaboration versus solitary novel writing

25:37 • 2min

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Deciding what to keep for the film

27:30 • 1min

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Book and film as companion pieces

28:49 • 3min

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Translating lush prose to visual language

32:12 • 1min

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Being on set and seeing Hamnet live

33:26 • 3min

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Research informing sets and costumes

36:15 • 2min

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Casting choices and performances

38:23 • 3min

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Balancing grief with celebration

41:27 • 2min

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Audience reactions and surprises

43:18 • 2min

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How adaptation changed Maggie's craft

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

A Portrait of the Artist

As a Young Man

James Joyce

James Joyce's 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' is a semi-autobiographical novel that traces the intellectual and emotional development of Stephen Dedalus. The novel follows Stephen's journey from his childhood to his eventual self-imposed exile from Ireland. It explores themes of identity, nationalism, religion, and the role of the artist in society. Stephen's struggle to break free from the constraints of his family, church, and country forms the core of the narrative. The novel is a profound exploration of artistic consciousness and the quest for personal and creative freedom.

#347

• Mentioned in 79 episodes

Hamnet

Lolita Chakrabarti

Maggie O’Farrell

The novel is set in Warwickshire in the late 16th century and revolves around the life of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their children. It fictionalizes the events surrounding the death of their son Hamnet, who died of the plague in 1596 at the age of eleven. The story delves into the grief and emotional turmoil faced by the family, especially Agnes, and how this tragedy influenced Shakespeare's writing, including his play 'Hamlet'. The narrative alternates between different timelines, exploring Agnes's early life, her marriage, and the years following Hamnet's death. The book is a poignant study of motherhood, childhood, and the depths of grief, offering a vivid portrayal of family life during the Tudor period.

#5052

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

I Am, I Am, I Am

Maggie O'Farrell

Maggie O'Farrell's "I Am, I Am, I Am" is a memoir that explores thirteen moments of near-death experiences throughout her life. The book weaves together personal reflections with vivid descriptions of the events that shaped her life. O'Farrell's writing is both lyrical and emotionally resonant, creating a powerful and unforgettable reading experience. The memoir explores themes of mortality, resilience, and the importance of appreciating life's precious moments. It's a deeply personal and moving account of a life lived on the edge. The book's exploration of life, death, and the human experience continues to resonate with readers.

In Don't Overthink It, Anne Bogel addresses the pervasive issue of overthinking and its impact on daily life. The book provides actionable strategies to help readers overcome negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones, leading to more peace, joy, and love. Bogel offers practical advice on simplifying decisions, identifying and avoiding triggers, and focusing on what truly matters. The book is filled with real-life examples and actionable steps to help readers make comfortable choices and reduce decision fatigue.

#69613

Instructions for a heatwave

Maggie O'Farrell

#13229

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

This must be the place

Maggie O’Farrell

This Must Be the Place is a sophisticated novel that explores the intricacies of a marriage between Daniel Sullivan, a New Yorker living in Ireland, and Claudette Wells, a reclusive ex-film star. The story delves into themes of family, identity, and love, weaving a narrative that spans continents and time zones. O'Farrell's writing is characterized by its complexity, humor, and emotional depth, making this a compelling read about the fragility and beauty of human connections.

#183

• Mentioned in 120 episodes

Ulysses

James Joyce

Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape.

#130

• Mentioned in 147 episodes

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others.

Readers, we have a special episode for you today: Anne is talking with one of her favorite authors, Maggie O'Farrell.

They're not just talking about one book, one film, or one story today; instead, their conversation explores the creative process, and why certain stories resonate both broadly and individually. They discuss emotional resonance and joy and sorrow and pain, and bringing worlds to life in a way that feels real and true and urgent.

We hope this episode will help you think about what you enjoy, on the page and on the screen, and why you enjoy it.

Find the list of titles mentioned and continue the conversation by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/513.

Because of the way Anne and Maggie O'Farrell recorded their conversation today, we are able to share a video as a bonus over in our Patreon community. If you'd like to see them talk books on the screen, join us at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext to see that recording and access our full archive of other bonus episodes.

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