Think back to the classic literature you read in school. How many were written by women? While authors like Harper Lee, Mary Shelley, and Kate Chopin made the list, most “essential” works in my literary education were written by men. But what if that wasn’t entirely the case? Take William Shakespeare, for instance. Known for his brilliant storytelling, mastery of language, and genre-spanning talent, he is celebrated as one of history’s most prolific playwrights. Yet, the authorship of some of his most famous works has sparked controversy for decades. What if, some suggest, he didn’t write them all himself? What if a woman penned these iconic plays? From this tantalizing “what if,” Jodi Picoult spins her latest novel, By Any Other Name.
Melina Green has all but let go of her dream to see one of her plays produced in New York. She knew the path to becoming a playwright wouldn’t be easy, but her resolve faltered after a disheartening experience in a masterclass with one of the city’s leading critics. Melina poured her heart into a story drawn from her own experiences, tackling the delicate dynamics of a mentor crossing the line with a student. But the critic, Jasper, dismissed her work as lacking authenticity and depth. Now, she’s losing hope of breaking into the theater scene dominated by men.
With renewed inspiration, Melina has written a new play based on the life of her ancestor, Emilia Bassano. Tempted to submit it to a prestigious festival, she hesitates, haunted by the memory of Jasper, who’s set to judge the competition. When her friend secretly submits the play under a male pseudonym, Melina decides to roll with the plan, determined to prove the strength of her writing and, perhaps, make Jasper rethink his earlier judgment. Will her work finally be judged on its merits without her gender standing in the way?
Picoult weaves Melina’s journey with the story of Emilia Bassano, a young woman in 1581 who lives as a ward of English aristocrats. Emilia’s language, history, and writing studies sharpen her wit and feed her gift for storytelling, but like many women of her time, her voice is suppressed. Drawn into an affair with the influential Lord Chamberlain, she becomes captivated by the powerful effect of theater. Determined to see her words brought to life, Emilia enlists a young actor, William Shakespeare, to present her plays as his. As Melina’s and Emilia’s stories unfold, Picoult reveals a timeless struggle for women seeking recognition in a world that often silences them.
In By Any Other Name, Jodi Picoult combines meticulous research with compelling fiction to question whether William Shakespeare truly authored the iconic plays we celebrate. This isn’t just a provocative exercise in speculation, although Picoult provides plenty of that across the novel’s 500+ pages. At its core, it’s a story about the resilient power of women, who often have to work twice as hard to receive even a fraction of the recognition their male counterparts enjoy. Through alternating timelines, the book captures this timeless struggle, showing that despite progress, certain obstacles endure.
The parallel narratives—one set in history and one in the present—underscore this universality with skillful resonance. Picoult’s clever narrative mirroring reveals how both her contemporary and historical protagonists navigate a world stacked against them. It's a story that feels as relevant today as it would have centuries ago. If I have one critique, the present-day storyline doesn’t quite reach the gripping intensity of the historical one. Nevertheless, By Any Other Name is a remarkable novel that challenges readers’ assumptions while providing an engaging and thought-provoking read.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2024, 80)
I love when an author can weave together past story lines so skillfully with the present. It can make for such a fascinating read. And I like Jodi Picoult. I'll have to put this one on my list for next year. So, are you on the side of Shakespeare wrote his own plays, or that of someone else did? ;D
ReplyDeleteYou know, she makes a pretty compelling argument. I think there's a good deal of evidence that points to him at the very least not being the sole author of his works.
Delete"What If's", like that can always give you something to think about that you might not have thought about before.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a great jumping off point for this novel!
DeleteThis is an interesting concept and makes me think about Einstein and the Nobel Prize for the photoelectric effect. Sounds like she did a good job with this alternate history type story as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great connection!
DeleteI had this from the library and then couldn't get to it before my lend expired. I should request it again. I never knew before reading a few reviews that there was any question of Shakespeare being the actual author of all of his works. I'd like to read up more on it sometime. As a side note, I absolutely love this cover!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely put it on hold again!
DeleteBrilliant review Ethan. I am adding this one to my holiday wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteWhat a great premise! I love books that feature both a historical and contemporary setting that connect. This sounds very thought-provoking. Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked how the two stories mirrored each other in the different time periods!
DeleteInteresting, I could read this. I have never tried anything by her
ReplyDeleteThis was my first from her, too.
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