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By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
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By Any Other Name

Due to publisher restrictions, this audiobook is unavailable for purchase in your selected country.
Length 18 hours 25 minutes
Language English
Narrators Billie Fulford-Brown, Jodi Picoult, Laura Benanti, Jayne Entwistle, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance, Andrew Fallaize & Steve West

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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The #1 New York Times Bestseller

What if the greatest writer of all time isn’t who we think he is?
What if he isn’t even a he?
Step back four hundred years and discover the female author who hid behind the mask of the man we know as William Shakespeare . . .


In Elizabethan London, young Emilia Bassano is a ward of English aristocrats. Her education has endowed her with a sharp wit and a gift for storytelling, but still she is allowed no voice of her own.

Forced to become a mistress to the Lord Chamberlain, who oversees the theatre, Emilia discovers the power of stories to beguile audiences. Secretly, she forms a plan to bring a play of her own to the stage - by paying an actor named William Shakespeare to front her work.

In modern-day Manhattan, playwright Melina Green finds a woman's voice is still worth less than a man's. But, inspired by the life of her ancestor Emilia Bassano, Melina takes a lesson from history and submits a play under a male pseudonym . . .

Moving between Elizabethan England and modern day Manhattan, By Any Other Name is a beautifully written, compelling novel that explores the theme of identity and the ways in which two women, centuries apart—one of whom might just be the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—are both forced to hide behind another name to make their voices heard.


'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

'Stunning. So interesting, clever, educational and moving. One of the best books I've read in recent times' GILLIAN McALLISTER

'A timeless classic from one of our great storytellers' CHRIS WHITAKER

'Had me absolutely captivated . . . I loved all the questions this novel raised about who gets to tell which stories and how complex that can become. Jodi Picoult is a genius' JENNIFER SAINT

'[An] inspiring work of feminist literature' ELLE

'Timely and affecting . . . Picoult’s many, many fans will pounce on her latest incisive, pot-stirring tale' BOOKLIST, Starred

'You’ll fall in love with Emilia Bassano, the unforgettable heroine based on a real woman that Picoult brings vividly to life. Book clubs will embrace this rich, inspiring story' KRISTIN HANNAH

'A blend of historical fiction and modern-day settings, the novel gives us timelines that intertwine and surprise. Picoult has done her research' HARPER'S BAZAAR

'Picoult creates a richly detailed portrait of daily life in Elizabethan England, from sumptuous castles to seedy hovels. . . A vibrant tale of a remarkable woman' KIRKUS

©2024 Jodi Picoult (P)2024 Penguin Audio

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Reviews

By Any Other Name is such a powerful book, and Emilia is a heroine for the ages. I lost myself completely in her world - and emerged feeling furious and curious. It's rare that a writer can entertain us and inspire us, but Picoult does both brilliantly, and I think this is her strongest work yet. By Any Other Name is an intriguing blend of speculation and feminism . . . it displays an empathetic grasp of women’s everlasting struggle to be heard, delivered in broad political strokes and fine historical detail Impressively researched and beautifully written. A gripping, masterful work 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 By Any Other Name had me absolutely captivated . . . I loved all the questions this novel raised about who gets to tell which stories and how complex that can become. The importance of women's role in storytelling is something very close to my heart, and this was such a thought-provoking, evocative, fascinating and moving exploration of the topic. Jodi Picoult is a genius and this might be my favourite of her books so far Praise for Jodi Picoult A powerfully evocative story of the resilience and triumph of the human spirit Perennial best-seller 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 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 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 [An] inspiring work of feminist literature She is the master of her craft There are writers who try and do what Picoult does, and then there's Picoult Jodi Picoult is that rare, one-in-a-million writer whose books both squeeze your heart and expand your mind 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 Emotional and enlightening The twist halfway through is a jaw-to-the-floor moment A perfect choice for your book clubs Important, propulsive and gripping Extraordinary It is hard to exaggerate how well Picoult writes A writer the world needs to be reading right now Her intelligent, meticulously researched novels explore ethical dilemmas through heartrending, headline-grabbing scenarios Incredibly compelling and page turning An addictive read packed with twists and turns Picoult, once again, grabs a razor-sharp issue and uses her brilliantly intricate pen to expose all the shades of grey with perfection Stunning. So interesting, clever, educational and moving. One of the best books I've read in recent times 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 A tale told with brio, imagination and racy romance Riveting A likeable heroine and a fun, readable evocation of Elizabethan court life and theatre Rich and inspiring . . . A searing, feminist tale about finding your voice Thought-provoking A wildly ambitious and intriguing two timeline story with delicious period detail An insightful novel of female identity and inequality A fun jaunt through Elizabethan London, full of literary easter eggs Expand reviews
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