'Hamnet' novelist Maggie O'Farrell turns to her own family story in 'Land'

NPR | By Sam Briger

Published June 2, 2026 at 11:53 AM EDT

O'Farrell's new novel is based on the story of her own great, great-grandfather, and tells the story of a father and son mapping 19th-century Ireland after the devastation of the Great Famine.

Related Content

Mary Beard illuminates the ancient world -- and our own -- in 'Talking Classics'

Maureen Corrigan

As a classics professor, Beard has spent her career pondering life in the ancient world. The central question of her latest book is: What on earth was it like to be there?
Doctors checked Biden just after Trump debate as Jill Biden feared he had a stroke

Luke Garrett, Scott Detrow

The Biden administration previously said doctors examined the president "days" following the debate, not in the moments after. The former first lady revealed more details in her new book.
10 new books in June will transport you

Colin Dwyer

With all that's required to reach "dream destinations" these days, another option is to walk to your local public library instead — and pick up one of these new books out in June set across time and place.
A kid's book newly published in English has a long backstory in the Soviet Union

Deena Prichep

The classic Italian children's book The Adventures of Cipollino was translated into English for the first time last year. The book has a surprising backstory in the former Soviet Union.
Richard Pryor's daughter studies the N-word — a word he used, then disavowed

Tonya Mosley

Historian Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor spent years researching the racial slur, but never revealed that her father was the legendary comic who used it profusely. Her new book is Something We Said.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.