By Any Other Name: A Novel

So different than her other novels that it made me interested but it also felt at times like a college essay trying to hard. Interesting to consider that much of Shakespeare was written by a woman but the story was a bit tedious at points.

Once I actually started this book, I was eager to keep reading it. Set in two different times, 500 years apart, this story reflects on the history of Emilia Bassano....and Shakespeare. Prose written 500 years ago makes my brain hurt (so many words), and I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare based on the verbosity and word count. However, I found the well researched facts and fictional storytelling blended together perfectly to make me think that history is complicated and is shown through one lens. When we broaden our scope, the story can be told a million different way. Could Shakespeare have been a female. Knowing how plays were written and edited in the 1500s has changed my views on this basic question. A story about strong females written by a strong female was a joy to read.

Inspiring. I loved this book for many reasons, including the characters, the plot, and the emotions of the characters. I've been reading Jodi Picoult since I was in college for my associate’s degree, and while there were some that I loved more than others, there hasn't been a single book of hers that I didn't enjoy reading. I've heard a lot about her recent book, By Any Other Name, and the title alone will make anyone curious enough to pick it up and check it out. I'm so glad I finally got the chance to read this book, and now that I've done so, I can see why so many people were talking about it and why it was nominated for favorite historical fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards. This is unlike any other Picoult book I've read, and it had me up until 1:00 a.m. because I wanted to know what happened to all the characters, particularly Melina and Emilia. I liked how it was done in two timelines and from the perspectives of Melina and Emilia; I thought it brought the story to life more. I liked how the play's writing intertwined Melina and Emilia's experiences and how the two timelines related to each other. I liked reading about Emilia and Melina because, despite their own perceptions, they were both strong and inspirational women. Nevertheless, I found Emilia's story to be more engaging to read; I sensed that more was happening in hers. I was impressed by Emilia's determination; she never gave up and continued to write despite everything that was going on in her life. A part of me wondered if the real 'author' would be uncovered; I didn't think it was fair that she wasn't receiving credit for all her writing. Throughout the novel, I was rooting for her happy ending. I was cheering for Melina to get her play produced because I had a sense there would be problems if a real writer was discovered. I studied and read William Shakespeare's plays in high school. Never did it occur to me that he was not the author. That surprised me, and it motivated me to conduct my own research on the topic. Picoult's novel, By Any Other Name , reflects her deep research. It's one of the reasons I adore her books. However, I believe the book was a little too long, and some portions dragged on and were difficult to get into. Despite that, the book was difficult to put down. This is the novel that will make you think; a story that you will be unable to forget. Following this book, I'm eager to see what Jodi Picoult has in store for us next!

Honestly, I cried. It was painful to read. Even more painful knowing it’s 2025 and hardly anything has changed. 400 years later. We.still.are.here. Beautifully and artfully written. Leaves mostly questions with few answers. I visited Shakespeare’s home in England along with millions of other tourists. Work credited to him has almost been as influential as the Bible in western civilization. Makes one think and question what we have been taught. Even if Emilia Bessano was not the author, it is very likely Shakespeare himself was not the prolific artist he is believed to have been. Certainly got me thinking. And wondering.

What an amazing dual-timeline tale. The story of Emilia Bassano, the woman rumored to be the writer of many of Shakespeare’s works, and her modern-day relative, Melina Green. I learned a lot about the unreal, second-class citizenship of women in the 1590’s, and how certain conventions in the modern playwright world still remain the same (ruled by white men). And this piece certainly makes one believe that perhaps there is some truth to the rumors. Specifically, that someone else wrote of the nuances of the female mind. Had in-depth knowledge of music, of other countries such as Italy and Denmark - especially since Shakespeare himself never traveled outside of England. And to inhabit so thoroughly what it was like to be a woman, sold to the company of landed gentry as a ‘side piece’. I enjoyed the parallels between the stories, and delighted in the present-day relationship between Mel and her nemesis, Jasper, who opened her eyes to her own judgement in being oh, so wrong. Their story was fun and flawed - two people who were very right for each other, in their own theatrical-world nerdiness. Even though it took some misunderstandings to see their way through to complete understanding. I highly recommend this enchanting novel. A first-time read of Jodi Picoult. It won’t be my last.