By Any Other Name
The No. 1 New York Times bestseller for fans of HAMNET
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4.3 • 75 Ratings
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- £0.99
Publisher Description
**THE DAZZLING NEW NOVEL FROM JODI PICOULT, AND INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - HOLLOW BONES - IS AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW**
They never met. But their lives are bound by a secret, a sacrifice, and a story that demands to be told…
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
'Her best one yet' JOJO MOYES
'A timeless classic' CHRIS WHITAKER
'[An] inspiring work of feminist literature' ELLE
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New York playwright Melina Green fights to have her voice heard in a man’s world - forced to hide behind a lie to get her work on stage.
Centuries before, her ancestor Emilia Bassano, mistress to one of Elizabeth I’s nobles, faced the same silence. Her bold act of rebellion changed everything - but at a great cost.
Two women, separated by time, united by defiance. Together, they challenge a world built to keep them quiet.
PRAISE FOR BY ANY OTHER NAME
'Stunning. So interesting, clever, educational and moving. One of the best books I've read in recent times' GILLIAN McALLISTER
‘A likeable heroine and a fun, readable evocation of Elizabethan court life and theatre’ THE TIMES
'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
‘A fun jaunt through Elizabethan London, full of literary easter eggs’ INDEPENDENT
PRAISE FOR JODI PICOULT
'A writer the world needs to be reading right now' Independent
'It is hard to exaggerate how well Picoult writes' Financial Times
'She is the master of her craft' Daily Telegraph
'There are writers who try and do what Picoult does, and then there's Picoult' Marie Claire
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Two women across five centuries struggle to be heard in this affecting drama from best-selling novelist Jodi Picoult. At the dawn of the 2020s, Melina Green is a struggling young playwright trying to break into London’s boy’s club theatre scene with a play based on her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano, whom she believes is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays. In the late 16th century, Emilia is a writer at a time when women are barely allowed to learn to read and must hide her identity by allowing a man to take credit for her words. Unfortunately, things haven’t changed much for Mel. Picoult cleverly illustrates the similarities between the two women’s situations while immersing us in each century’s cultures and biases. We were frustrated by Mel’s dilemma and heartbroken by the trials and tribulations Emilia goes through. By Any Other Name is a relatable and moving read, and another strong entry in Picoult’s admirable body of work.
Customer Reviews
Absolutely LOVED this story
Well I’m convinced! I loved everything about this book. I am totally invested in the premise, and love it. Love the way it was told, between the present day and Elizabethan times. So many fascinating insights and thoughts. Slightly terrifying how the present day issue for female playwrights still exists, although I’m sure it does … but very glad that I live now and not then. (Although I would have loved to know Emilia and Southampton!)
I choose to believe this is true
What a spellbinding story. Left me saddened and uplifted at the same time.
Excellent
As always!