By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult
By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult
11 Rating(s)
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By Any Other Name

Bestseller

Author: Jodi Picoult

Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown, Laura Benanti, Jodi Picoult, Jayne Entwistle, Andrew Fallaize, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance, Steve West

Unabridged: 18 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/20/2024

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling co-author of Mad Honey comes an “inspiring” (Elle) novel about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—who are both forced to hide behind another name.

“You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Picoult brings vividly to life in her brilliantly researched new novel.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

Young playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. But seeing it performed is unlikely, in a theater world where the playing field isn’t level for women. As Melina wonders if she dares risk failure again, her best friend takes the decision out of her hands and submits the play to a festival under a male pseudonym.

In 1581, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her lessons on languages, history, and writing have endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but like most women of her day, she is allowed no voice of her own. Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees all theatre productions in England, Emilia sees firsthand how the words of playwrights can move an audience. She begins to form a plan to secretly bring a play of her own to the stage—by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

Told in intertwining timelines, By Any Other Name, a sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire centers two women who are determined to create something beautiful despite the prejudices they face. Should a writer do whatever it takes to see her story live on . . . no matter the cost? This remarkable novel, rooted in primary historical sources, ensures the name Emilia Bassano will no longer be forgotten.

This audiobook contains a bonus PDF with Shakespearean references, Sources and Resources, and an image from the book.

About Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult is an American novelist born in Nesconset, Long Island, New York. She has had a very diversified career with her education in writing being received at Princeton University. She had a variety of jobs ranging from writing short stories when still in college for Seventeen magazine and editing text books, to becoming the writer of the DC Comics Wonder Woman (Vol. 3), issue #6 in March 2007 and #10 in June of 2007.

Picoult’s first novel, Nineteen Minutes, about a school shooting in a small town became #1 on the NY Times Bestseller List. Then her second novel also debuted #1, entitled Change of the Heart. In 2009 her novel, My Sister’s Keeper was adapted to a featured film.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Shelley's Book Nook on August 03, 2024

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On: The Book Review Crew Blog I always find three-star reads hard to review, the rating of this one isn't a reflection of the author's talent or writing capabilities. Many of Jodi Picoult's books have been five-star reads for me. This is more about my personal preference......more

Goodreads review by Kail on August 26, 2024

This book is tied with The Nightingale for favorite reads of the year so far. I absolutely love Emilia & Melina’s stories of courage/bravery/& going against what is ingrained in us from birth as women. I was not familiar with the idea that Shakespeare was not the author of his works but this book wa......more

Goodreads review by Lisa of Troy on August 14, 2024

How did William Shakespeare obtain the breadth of knowledge as displayed in his plays and poems? How does he know French and Latin, court customs, and display intimate knowledge of Italy….when he likely only went to the local school for a couple of years, and there is no evidence Shakespeare ever tra......more

Goodreads review by Emily May on September 04, 2024

Definitely one of my least favourite of the Jodi Picoult books I've read so far. I got the impression that the author would have liked to write a non-fiction book / essay about the topic of the Shakespeare authorship but, as that's not what she does, she instead tries to work her argument into a fict......more

Goodreads review by Nilufer on November 29, 2024

Jodi Picoult did it again! She created an inspiring, sentimental women’s fiction blended with historical fiction, powerful feminism, and diverse vibes, intercepting the stories of two women who are not connected by DNA but share the same fate. As two storytellers/aspiring writers try to make their v......more


Quotes

“Her best one yet. Jodi Picoult has combined her trademark research with an astonishing and heart-rending story, embedded in truth, and turned it into a gripping novel.”—Jojo Moyes
 
“Picoult, known for exploring social issues in her best-selling fiction, returns with a thought-provoking tale of two female playwrights and the similar compromises they make 400 years apart. . . . In the end, both women must decide what price they will pay to satisfy their desires and ambitions.”The Washington Post
 
“The acclaimed Jodi Picoult dives right into the did-Shakespeare-write-his-plays controversy with a novel that spans centuries.”Parade
 
“A blend of historical fiction and modern-day settings, the novel gives us timelines that intertwine and surprise. . . . This one is definitely for fans of Shakespeare’s work; Picoult has done her research.”Harper’s Bazaar

“[An] inspiring work of feminist literature.”Elle

“Stunning. So interesting, clever, educational and moving. One of the best books I’ve read in recent times.”—Gillian McAllister
 
“Picoult’s fictional take on the real life of [Emilia Bassano]. She quite likely would have known Shakespeare, because they moved in the same circles. Did she write things attributed to the Bard? Who knows. But her own life is interesting enough.”Los Angeles Times
 
“In the present, Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of Emilia, her Elizabethan ancestor. . . . [Picoult] creates a well-observed tapestry that connects these two women across time, through art and circumstance.”The A.V. Club

“You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Picoult brings vividly to life in her brilliantly researched new novel. Jodi Picoult’s books always start passionate conversations, and this one is sure to get people talking. Book clubs will embrace this rich, inspiring story.”—Kristin Hannah

“Perennial bestseller Picoult . . . takes on another hot-button topic sure to ignite controversy and conversation: the question of Shakespearean authorship. . . . [A] timely and affecting tale . . . Picoult’s many, many fans will pounce on her latest incisive, pot-stirring tale, while the Shakespearean theme will attract even more readers.”Booklist, starred review

“Picoult creates a richly detailed portrait of daily life in Elizabethan England, from sumptuous castles to seedy hovels. . . . It’s Emilia’s story, and Picoult lovingly brings her to life. . . . A vibrant tale of a remarkable woman.”Kirkus Reviews