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By Any Other Name

A Novel

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By Any Other Name

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

This audiobook contains a bonus PDF with Shakespearean references, Sources and Resources, and an image from the book. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Shakespeare Theatre
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It went on a bit long I think it could have been summarized in certain areas

The question of who penned Shakespeare,s works

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I agree with Picoult’s hypothesis and I think it was a great idea for the book. I appreciate how well researched her books are. I am now an Emilia Bassano convert!

What I disliked though was the character, Melina. I found her to be lacking and a bit naive… I also think she could’ve made André original and a well-rounded individual instead of leaning on the stereotypical gay best friend persona always portrayed in media.

Additionally, I definitely struggled with the narration and the accent attempts. It was hard to focus on the story with this narration.

Although I’ve loved so many of Picoult’s books, the quality of writing with this one just fell flat.

Disappointed

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This historical fiction was fantastic. I found it took a Chapter to get gripped by the tale but once gripped I couldn't stop listening. As a woman I was moved by the changes, and stagnancies, of the experience of women across the hundreds of years. I loved the storyline weaving back and forth from Elizabethan times to present/future.

This is a book that will spur discussion, and hopefully help move women foreward once again. Amazing women have always existed, as have Amazing BIPOC, amazing LGBTQ people and amazing men. We have spent so much time studying the men... I love how this book looks at all of the others.

Fantastic and Moving

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really enjoyed the story and the narration of Amelia's parts but the voice of Melina was like nails on a chalkboard and somewhat ruined the book for me.

poor narrator selection

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It took me a couple of chapters to get into it, especially the throwback story. I am glad I finished it because I loved it !

Keep listening

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