By Any Other Name: A Novel

Written by Jodi Picoult

Narrated by Jodi Picoult, Billie Fulford-Brown, Laura Benanti and 7 more

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9780593948255

Jodi Picoult

JODI PICOULT is ’n gewilde en geliefde skrywer van etlike topverkopers, waaronder My Sister’s Keeper, The Storyteller en Small Great Things. Sowat 40 miljoen eksemplare van haar boeke is tans wêreldwyd in druk. Twee van haar boeke is al in Afrikaans vertaal – Die Belydenis (Plain Truth) en Negentien Minute (Nineteen Minutes). Meer as 25 romans het al uit haar pen verskyn en haar werk is al in 34 tale vertaal. My Sister’s Keepers is ook in ’n rolprent omskep. Picoult is al verskeie kere bekroon, onder meer met die New England Book Award.

[George Szmaj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It only played one page?
I can not get it to go back

[infjsarah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ooh - I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure I buy JPs theory but Emilia Bassano's story was still fascinating. The only bit I was MEH on was the modern story - I understand why it was structured this way but I could have done without it and the novel would have been just as good if not better.
My 2nd Picoult book where I wasn't sure it would be my thing and I ended up loving it.

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book very well researched. The facts of Shakespeare and his writings have been discussed in other places reinforcing the narrative. The life of Emelia was much more graphic and interesting. I suppose you needed the 2024 characters to give context.

[carol420 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Who was Shakespeare?
Many other authors have been named and thought to be the "true author" of plays attributed to the bard of Stratford, William Shakespear. Emilia Bassano, a clever, outspoken, well-educated woman is another of those, in this novel. She came from Italian heritage, and from a family of court musicians. Emilia was a hidden Jew and the courtesan of a much older nobleman who chose what plays were to be performed for Queen Elizabeth I. She was well traveled. and unlike William Shakespeare, she visited Italy and Denmark, where the author places her and imagines that she may have met Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, so was familiar with all manners of court, as well as English law. “Every gap in Shakespeare’s life or knowledge that has had to be explained away by scholars, she somehow fills. Encouraged by her lover, Emilia wrote plays and poetry, but 16th-century England was not ready for a female writer. This story interweaves Emilia’s story with that of her descendant, Melina Green, an aspiring playwright, who encounters the same sexist barriers to making herself recognized that Emilia faced. In alternating chapters, we follow Melina’s frustrated efforts to get a particular play produced...a play about Emilia, who Melina is 100% certain sold her work to William Shakespeare. Melina’s play, "By Any Other Name", “was never meant to be a fiction; it was meant to be a "resurrection.” This story is a detailed showcase of daily life in Elizabethan England, from castles to hovels. The times were different, and the two women's lives were certainly different. Emilia found support and rumors of much more, from Christopher Marlowe, Melina has a friend...a fashion-loving gay roommate. Emilia faced repeated outbreaks of plague, Melina, confronts Covid-19. Emilia had a passionate affair with the Earl of Southampton. Melina’s lover is an awkward, nerdy New York Times theater critic. I really wasn't overly interested in the story with all the changes between the centuries, so the rating was based entirely on my interest and not in any way on the author's abilities. I've read this author before and can say she is an excellent writer. This is of tale of a remarkable woman.

[lauralkeet · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While William Shakespeare is commonly considered the greatest poet and playwright of all time, there are those in literary and academic circles who question whether Shakespeare was the sole author of the body of work credited to him. This novel tells the story of one person who may have written for Shakespeare: Emilia Bassano, the first woman known to have published a book of poetry. Bassano came from a family of court musicians, and at 13 became a courtesan for Henry, Lord Hunsdon, who was more than 40 years her senior. Their arrangement was amicable, but when it came to an end she was forced to marry and writing became a way to secretly earn money for her own use.

Picoult also tells a contemporary story of a present-day playwright trying to get recognition for her work: a play about Emilia, her ancestor. I suppose this was a way to show how the playing field is still far from level, but it wasn’t as interesting as Emilia’s storyline and I could have done without it. While authorship of Shakespeare’s work is a controversial subject, Jodi Picoult’s portrayal of Emilia Bassano is believable and thought-provoking, and the Author’s Notes describe the available scholarly research in detail along with the gaps Picoult filled in herself. This is a solid read for anyone interested in the untold stories of women in history.

[suesbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

another surprising ipad book that i liked much more than i expected. historical fiction about amalia bassano, a hidden Jew who may have written some of what the men of her time, including shakespeare published under male names. neither women nor jews were allowed to publsh, but amalia both had a talent and also needed to earn an income. she was treated well by many she met, but also terribly by those who saw no value in women except to serve men.

[susan.h.schofield · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was not one of my favorite Jodi Picoult books. The dual stories of Melina Green in the present day and Emilia Bassano in the 16th century were interesting but also dragged on at times. The book just felt too long. But it was obviously very well researched and gave a fascinating perspective on Shakespeare's works. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[sleahey_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Moving back and forth in time, this novel describes the difficulties of women playwrights in both contemporary and Elizabethan times. Picoult obviously did a great deal of research about the historic person of Emilia Bassano, the first published English woman poet who could conceivably have been the actual author of several of the plays attributed to William Shakespeare. In contemporary New York, struggling author Melina Green is fascinated by Bassano's story and writes a play about her. In both times the women are unable to be published or produced because of their gender, and so solicit men to claim the work as their own. I found this novel interesting enough to follow up with research of my own, and the story will stay with me. However, I thought that the pace lagged in the middle, and found myself wishing that the plot would move along.

[katebaxter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my! This was such an informative and provocative tale exploring the age old debate, "Did William Shakespeare truly write everything attributed to him? If not, then who was writing under his name?" This dual time-line speaks to the challenges and frustrations of 16th century female writers and the ongoing struggles for the female and marginalized writers of today. Through extensive research, Ms. Picoult has crafted a most plausible story of the life of historically known Emilia Bassano, England's first published poetess. She juxtaposes against that the life of Melina Green, the fictional descendant of Emilia and who is a present-day playwright experiencing many of the same challenges. Both of these women are bright, ambitious, and courageous as they yearn to be heard at a time when no one appears to be listening.

Author Jodi Picoult is a highly regarded writer and justly so. Her prose is exquisitely crafted, the characters are well developed, and the mise en scène -richly and beautifully delivered. Her female characters are strong yet their stories draw on the reader's own empathic feelings. Through the writing, one is easily transported to the streets of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and to the noisy streets of a highly active New York City, which never sleeps. A few of the 16th century literary greats are richly brought to life in this story as Ms. Picoult brings a plausible explanation of who's who and who's doing what in the literary circles of 16th century London. All in all, this was one of the best stories I have read this year and I highly recommend it to those readers generally interested in literature and especially interested in the theatrical worlds of then and now.

[Triggers worth noting: Although tastefully presented, there are scenes of abuse against women and children, among other adult themes.]

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary uncorrected proof of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: ‎ August 20, 2024
Number of Pages: 544
ISBN: 978-0593497210

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book – I loved it so much that I didn’t mind being beaten about the head and shoulders by Ms. Picoult’s theory of Shakespeare and whether he is deserving of the all the literary accolades passed down through the centuries. Picoult has researched, quoted, contradicted and plotted as she puts forth a very convincing argument. Whether it has traction or not does not take away from this superb book. Clever, well written, witty dialog, quips and a potential resurrection of an historical erasure are well contained, hidden and at the forefront throughout the many pages of this book.
Picoult’s use of a dual timeline was effective historically but less so emotionally. I was totally involved in the past with Emilia Bassano, her trials, tribulations and all the unfairness of a woman’s life in 16th Century England. The stumbles and problems of would-be playwright Melina Green in the current timeline were aggravating, annoying and had me thinking that someone should give her a spine, a little logic and compassion – it might have gone a long way in making her more sympathetic. This was not enough of a detraction to change my mind about the ultimate quality and significance of this book.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure that I wanted to read this book since I have never had any interest in Shakespeare. So, I kept reading a little bit at a time to see if it held my interest. Evidently, it did since I just finished it. Jodi Picoult did an amazing job researching this book! There is a dual timeline, Melina Green, a young playwright in 2013 and Emilia Bassano, another young writer in 1581. Both women face discrimination but are determined to get their words published.

[c.archer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jodi Picoult is always amazing. She changes up her stories making them all so original. I really enjoyed By Any Other Name despite the fact that I little knowledge of the works of Shakespeare. The switch of time from past to present is very smooth as is the connection of the story lines. I was so intrigued by the idea that Shakespeare's works could have been written by a woman and fascinated to discover at the end that there is some evidence that this might be true. It appears that Ms. Picoult did a great deal of research in writing this book.
I highly recommend this story to fiction and historic fiction fans. Its subject matter is timely in spite of the difference in era and society. Women and minorities still face bias in areas such as theater and politics.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.

[drapple_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A woman writes plays and sells them to WIlliam Shakespear who cannot write at all. A descendent of hers writes a play about the woman's life. Despite centuries, women are still handicapped in their ability to be part of the theater community.

[thewanderingjew_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

By Any Other Name: A Novel, Jodi Picoult, author; Billie Fulford-Brown, Laura Benanti, Jayne Entwistle, Andrew Fallaize, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance, Steve West, and the author, Jodi Picoult, narrators.
Melina Green and Andre Washington are roommates. He is black and gay. She is white and Jewish. They are both writers, so they have that in common. He believes he is at a disadvantage because of his color, and she believes she is at a disadvantage because of her gender. Neither have been successful yet and neither have recently submitted manuscripts.
At one time, the literary critic, Jasper Tolle, had pretty much trashed Melina’s manuscript and her talent. She was demoralized. When her future manuscripts were so often rejected, she stopped submitting them for publication. Andre had no confidence and did not submit his either.
The story actually begins when Andre learns of a contest. While in a drunken stupor, he decides to submit Melina’s manuscript, not his own. He submits it under the name of Mel Green. She knows nothing about this, and he believes that using the name Mel instead of Melina, means that her sexual identification will play no part in how it is treated. When she unexpectedly wins the contest, Melina is aghast and forces him, in the name of friendship, to pretend that he is her. He becomes Mel Green and she becomes Andrea Washington, his assistant. The winners’ plays will be produced, but the same theater critic, Jasper Tolle, that once trashed Melina’s effort, will be in charge. She hides her identity from him.
The play is called “By Any Other Name”. It is all about her ancestor, who happens to be Emilia Lanyer, nee Bassano (a hidden Jew), a courtesan, and the supposed real author of many of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. As a woman in the 1500’s, Emilia had no rights at all. In order to be published, she too, used a false identity. Emilia was so talented, that Shakespeare, not so talented, paid her to write the plays, and he submitted and produced them under his own name. She was happy just to have her plays performed. Both main characters, Melina and Emilia, live in a world that is portrayed with very limited rights for women, although Emilia’s seems far more limited. Perhaps the point is that the more things have changed, the more they have remained the same.
Although both women secretly posed as males to achieve success, which woman truly achieved the success? Although both suffered from limited rights, if we compare their lives, did both have legitimate concerns? Melina, in the modern world, believes that women and other marginalized groups live in a society designed to offer them less opportunity. Emilia lives in the past world in which women were merely chattel, owned by the man they lived with or married.
Emilia’s world, 400 years ago, is illuminated well, but it became tedious as it got repetitious and seemed to focus on her romantic involvements. So, Emilia Bassano may or may not have been the real Shakespeare, but apparently, she was the real paramour of Lord Hunsdon, but really only in love with Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton. She was also great friends with Christopher Marlowe, the esteemed playwright. Emilia is depicted as very courageous, though not virtuous.
Melina Green, is in the world of the present. Her play, highlighting her ancestor who happens to be Emilia Bassano, is the play Andre submitted. Her character does not feel as fully developed as Emilia’s. The main point about Melina is that as a woman she feels abused by the system, and because of that, she is keeping too many secrets. She often dissolves into tears. I am not sure she is painted with too much virtue either, since her success is coupled with lies. Romance and passion soon overtake her, as well.
In fact, was Emilia a real person? Was she really Shakespeare? Was Shakespeare really untalented? Was Christopher Marlowe really her friend?
This is an elaborate production of a novel that spans four centuries and features two women fighting a system that abuses them. There are multiple narrators who perform well, and it is obvious that an enormous amount of research went into the writing of this book. The message it imparts is that women and other marginalized groups, blacks, Latinx, LGBTQ+, etc., do not have equal rights or equal opportunity, that white men are in charge and do not realize how unfair their position is, with regard to the rest of the population, and possibly, though I hope not, that Jewish husbands are physically abusive to their wives because they can be and have that right. Alphonso Lanyer brutally beat Emilia. Her recovery often demanded the suspension of disbelief. It was a hard book to finish.

[batur117 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good story but each section (timeline) could be shorter? There are times that I don't want to pick up the book and continue.

[gingersnap000 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two women born years apart but face similar circumstances. A historical fiction where one woman is based on real woman, Emilia Bassano. Emilia 's story was researched by the Author and makes for truly powerful read.

[sue222-941906 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was so excited to read Jodi Picoult’s latest dual timeline novel about Emilia Bassano, an Elizabethan author and playwright who some believe wrote at least some of Shakespeare’s plays. And after having read this novel and been inspired to do some additional research, I have to say I agree with the premise. This is an amazing book, both thought-provoking and hearth-wrenching. Although the modern storyline got a bit preachy for my taste, the ending made it all worthwhile. Loved this, and highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.