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Sign up todayBy Any Other Name
A Novel
Length
18 hours 25 minutes
Language
English
Narrators
Billie Fulford-Brown, Laura Benanti, Jodi Picoult, Jayne Entwistle, Andrew Fallaize, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance & Steve West
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreBookseller recommendation
“A brilliantly written story that will have you questioning everything you were taught in literature class.”
— Tanya • Pages & Paws Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“Picoult’s mesmerizing tale is about the life of an English woman in the 1500’s who authored many plays released under Shakespeare’s name because a woman was not permitted to be a playwright then. In the present day, her ancestor (also a playwright) must still struggle to publish under her own name. Lush with historical references and famous personalities, as well as current day issues and a plot that pulls you along seamlessly, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read. ”
— Patience • Underground Books
Bookseller recommendation
“Fantastic book about how women are often overlooked in the history of storytelling. Picoult ties the timelines of two female playwrights into one lovely story. ”
— Natalie • Katy Budget Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I just finished By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult and I cannot give enough good praise for this story. I laughed, I cried, I got angry, I rejoiced. This story was beyond brilliant and it will stick with me for years to come. This is a must listen!”
— Tanya • Pages & Paws Bookshop
Bookseller recommendation
“A must read for fans of Shakespeare. The writing is amazing and the story is a delightful rendition of a woman’s life who has largely been lost in history. ”
— Julie • Open Book
Bookseller recommendation
“The only time I’ve ever cared about Shakespeare was when Leonardo DiCaprio got involved. But after getting sucked into this book, I am newly intrigued and completely convinced that his plays were written by a woman. I actually want to sit through them now! While this book isn’t exactly uplifting, it is utterly fascinating and impossible to walk away from. The characters will steal your heart and lead you to question everything you learned in your highschool Lit. class. As it should be. ”
— Krissy • The Homer Bookstore
Bookseller recommendation
“With a fabulous cast of narrators and a unique dual timeline story that will leave you questioning some of the things you learned in high school English class, this one kept my interest throughout. It’s clear a lot of research went into this book. The author’s note at the end is not to be missed. ”
— Kelly • Reads by the River
Bookseller recommendation
“This is a fascinating story and so well researched! The full cast audio makes this a perfect listen! ”
— Jana • Inscribe Books
Bookseller recommendation
“I devoured this audiobook in just a few days, starting my morning with a listen and ending each evening by setting a sleep timer. The themes of feminism, love, and tragedy are intricately woven throughout the narrative. I now have a fresh perspective on Shakespeare’s works and am thrilled to have discovered Emilia Bassano, a remarkable woman once lost to history. ”
— Indea • Gold Rush Bookstore
Bookseller recommendation
“With wonderful, relatable, characters you’ll be rooting for up until the very end. This well researched book is not only fun and entertaining, but astonishing! What a great listen!”
— Leslie • Third Street Books
Bookseller recommendation
“A delightful diversion from many of Picoult other books, this one being more of a historical fiction novel and a good one at that. Readers who are familiar with Shakespeare will enjoy this book, but you don’t have to know Shakespeare to understand the importance of giving credit where credit is due. Narrator is excellent and makes this book a throughly enjoyable listen. Be sure and listen to Picoult’s notes on the book at the end. Fascinating!”
— Mollie • HearthFire Books
Summary
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.
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Reviews
“A fresh take on an age-old question—what if a woman really wrote Shakespeare's plays? . . . The more the novel lays the groundwork, the more convincing it is that the lauded playwright didn't act alone.”—People“You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Jodi Picoult brings vividly to life in her brilliantly researched new novel. 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, author of The Women
“A heartfelt, inspiring and deeply thought-provoking look at identity, strength and struggle. Meticulously researched, beautiful and original, By Any Other Name is a timeless classic from one of our great storytellers.”—Chris Whitaker, author of All the Colors of the Dark
“A thought-provoking tale of two female playwrights and the similar compromises they make 400 years apart.”—The Washington Post
“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
“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, author of Someone Else’s Shoes
“A blend of historical fiction and modern-day settings, the novel gives us timelines that intertwine and surprise. . .”—Harper’s Bazaar
“[An] inspiring work of feminist literature.”—Elle
“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
“The experience of reading a Jodi Picoult novel—the surge of being swept away in both story and enlightenment—is powerful.”—Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper
“Extensively researched and richly imagined.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“A moving story of courage and ambition.”—Woman’s World
“The acclaimed Jodi Picoult dives right into the did-Shakespeare-write-his-plays controversy with a novel that spans centuries.”—Parade
“Stunning. So interesting, clever, educational and moving. One of the best books I’ve read in recent times.”—Gillian McAllister, author of Wrong Place, Wrong Time
“[A] timely and affecting tale . . . Picoult’s many, many fans will pounce on her latest incisive, pot-stirring tale.”—Booklist, starred review
“An excellent addition to Picoult’s thought-provoking novels of human struggle and conflict . . . Beautifully crafted and compelling.”—The Historical Novels Review
“Masterful . . . Breathtaking . . . Picoult’s own writing reminds us that to be a truly magnificent author, one also must be a poet, a creator of imagery and metaphor.”—Bookreporter Expand reviews
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