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By Any Other Name: A Novel
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Original price was: $30.00.$20.94Current price is: $20.94.
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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.
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Categories: Arts & Photography
Product name:
By Any Other Name: A Novel
Price:
Original price was: $30.00.$20.94Current price is: $20.94.
Marie –
This story was such a interesting historical fiction read. If you’re a fan of Shakespeare this is a fun one. Not because it’s about him. It’s fun because it’s about the woman ghost writer who is believed to have been the true writer of Shakespeare’s work. 😱 YUP. It’s a thing.
Her name was Emilia Bassano. Emilia (great name btw. Just named my daughter that) is the first women poet to be published and a feminist from the late 1500s- early 1600s.
*drop everything & google Emilia Bassano* 📱
Anyway, Emilia’s family sells her off to a old sugar daddy who happens to be the cousin of Queen Elizabeth. Through his work, Emilia is exposed to theater life & script editing & further discovers her love of storytelling. She yearns to write plays herself although women are not allowed. That’s where Shakespeare, a wannabe play writer who actually sucks at the craft comes in. Why not just publish under his name? Her art gets seen, his name is heard, it’s a win.
This story has the reader reflecting whether it’s the sharing of art or the claim to fame that is of more importance. I think if you ask any true artist they will say it’s the chance to share what they create with the world, rather than the recognition that lights them up. The ability to have others appreciate your craft is that matters the most for creatives. If you’re in it for the name recognition, your art probably isn’t that great.
The storyline alternates between the past and present as history mirrors current times with Emilia and her current day ancestor, Melina. I think the past storyline was the stronger one and I enjoyed it more, but I liked how the author was able to illustrate that although times have drastically changed for women since the patriarchal times of the late 1500s there are still aspects of current society that haven’t come as far as we think, especially when it comes to work place equality for women and having our voices heard and respected.
Overall, this book hit me in the feels as a writer. “What incredible power it was to create something from nothing.” 🥹 It captured the all consuming need to share our stories that so many writers feel. I am all about stories that explore how women find their place in the world despite all odds.
The chapters were a bit too long and there were some moments that felt repetitive and dragged a bit, but I love when an author researches in depth and fully commits to a story and it’s clear that is what Picoult did with By Any Other Name. Well done!
Reading in Morgan Hill –
Told in dual timelines, By Any Other Name was a winner for me. I enjoy historical fiction, or possibly fact, and although I’m not a fan of dual timelines, this one worked. Emilia Bassano and Melina Green have different dress, customs, and lifestyles, but essentially are fighting the same fight women have for millennium. Their skills are not being taken seriously or their skills are co-opted by the men in their lives.
Emilia must sell her plays to Shakespeare so they will be produced. Melina has her play submitted under a male pseudonym, since the person approving the play does not like women playwrights. Using the dual timeline, we can see very clearly that not much has changed!
You can tell there was a huge amount of time and effort put forth doing research about Bassano. She is in the running for the playwright for Shakespeare or at least one of a few. With Ms. Picoult’s recent Broadway play, she has inside information on what goes on in NYC!
Jodi Picoult picks difficult and thought provoking themes for her stories. While this book tells the tale of two women four centuries removed from each other, it also lays down the truth that, in some areas, not much has changed for women at all. I think this must be the overriding topic of discussion for this work.
Amelia Gilliland –
Jodi Picoult’s *By Any Other Name* is a masterful exploration of ambition, courage, and the relentless pursuit of creative expression. This novel, which intertwines the lives of two remarkable women across centuries, is a testament to the timeless struggle of women to have their voices heard in a world that often silences them.
At the heart of the novel are Melina Green and her Elizabethan ancestor, Emilia Bassano. Melina, a modern-day playwright, grapples with the harsh realities of the theater world, where women’s work is often overlooked or dismissed. Her frustration and self-doubt are palpable, making her journey deeply relatable for anyone who has ever faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles in pursuing their dreams. The clever twist of submitting her play under a male pseudonym adds a layer of tension and poignancy, raising questions about identity, integrity, and the lengths one must go to achieve success.
The parallel storyline set in 1581 follows Emilia Bassano, a young woman with a brilliant mind and a fierce desire to create. Picoult’s portrayal of Emilia is both heartbreaking and inspiring. As a ward of English aristocrats, Emilia’s talents are stifled by the limitations imposed on women of her time. Yet, her indomitable spirit drives her to find a way to share her voice, even if it means operating in the shadows. The connection to William Shakespeare adds a fascinating dimension, as Emilia navigates the treacherous waters of Elizabethan society to see her words come to life on stage.
Picoult’s writing is richly detailed and immersive, bringing both timelines to life with vivid clarity. The historical accuracy, rooted in primary sources, lends authenticity to Emilia’s story, while the contemporary narrative resonates with the challenges faced by women in the arts today. The dual timelines are expertly woven together, creating a narrative that is both sweeping in scope and deeply personal.
*By Any Other Name* is not just a story of two women separated by centuries; it’s a powerful commentary on the enduring struggle for creative recognition and the sacrifices artists are often forced to make. Picoult’s exploration of whether a writer should do whatever it takes to see her story live on, no matter the cost, is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged.
This novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, literary fiction, and anyone who appreciates stories of strong, determined women. *By Any Other Name* ensures that the name Emilia Bassano—and the countless other women like her—will no longer be forgotten. It’s a sweeping, unforgettable tale that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. Highly recommended!