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By Any Other Name
- Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Jodi Picoult, Laura Benanti, Jayne Entwistle, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance, Andrew Fallaize, Steve West
- Length: 18 hrs and 25 mins
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By Any Other Name
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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
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
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What listeners say about By Any Other Name
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Boxie
- 15-11-24
What a theory!
Wow what a theory to explore! I bought this because I have loved everything that Jodi has published and didn’t even read the title details. When I did read the blurb, just before starting it I thought oh, not sure this will be my cup of tea. However Jodi transported me to a world of possibility, and I was hooked from start to finish! 5 stars from me, and she’s definitely made me think twice about Mr Shakespeare
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emma
- 16-10-24
Great listen
Loved the whole concept of this book. Beautiful characters. Will not think of Shakespeare the same
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 17-11-24
Enjoyable polyphonic listen
I liked the use of different actors who all fitted their parts well. I read and listened as I like to observe the author’s style. It really shows JP’s range and I think it helps if you know Shakespeare but also remember this is fiction. The dual narrative is very effective and not easy to do. There’s no doubt that Jodi is a mistress of storytelling
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- m33
- 11-11-24
Really enjoyed this listen
Always love a Jodi book and this was a good one. It felt a very different style from the others I have read but still very enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maureen Reading
- 16-11-24
Never disappoints
So different and yet a similar tale of the oppressed overcoming the oppressor.
Beautifully written and in depth research which should ‘shake’ the literary world
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helle Burkal
- 12-10-24
Another great book by Jodi Picoult
How can one person gather so much knowledge and details without traveling g back in those days
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ChrissyVar
- 26-10-24
Well worth the wait
Well written and what I would expect from a favourite writer of mine. It brings women’s issues from the past and identifies their existence in present day wonderfully demonstrating how little we’ve progressed in society as a whole. It’s the research behind this story that floored me though. What can I say except wow. Unfortunately for me I can relate to more of the issues than I’d care to. I know I’ve enjoyed a book when I don’t want it to end and I truly wanted the characters in the story to continue. Can’t wait for Jody’s next book …. as always
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Sioni Reuben
- 17-10-24
Not a typical Jodi Picoult book
I enjoyed the theory but the way this was put together was so disappointing. I never want to criticise a writer who's work I've enjoyed dipping into over the years but this was sickly sweet in places and over the top Mills and Boon love story in others. I didn't enjoy the narration at all - over acted and annoying. My favourite part was the afterword by the author which was interesting. Wouldn't recommend unfortunately
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jacqui Barron
- 17-10-24
What a lot of pretentious stuff
Not at all engaging for me. The concept was interesting but the presentation was tedious; if the two can be married together. I’d rather go to the dentist! Disappointing.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Geoff Benton
- 28-10-24
Very flowery and repetitive
It was a hard slog. Very repetitive. The language was extremely flowery as it was in Elizabethan England. I carried on thinking it would pick up, but it didn’t. I adore Jodie Picoult, she is my favourite author, this book is for a high brow English literature audience, I’m neither.
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