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I enjoyed this one, I found it interesting. There are two timelines, one set in the present day and the other in the 16th/17thC. I preferred the timeline in the Shakespearean era. However, I did think it was a little too long, somewhat drawn out. But all in all it gives food for thought!

A library book.

Loved this story that has the best female characters and asks the question “did Shakespeare have a woman and others write for him?” Emilia Bassano is a real person and the authors notes has convinced me…I think we have something to think about with Shakespeare! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Another excellent book by Jodi Picoult.

4.5⭐️/5⭐️

3.5 Stars • The idea behind the book was much better than the book itself.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult is a novel that explores themes of identity, authorship, and the historical silencing of women's voices through the lens of two female playwrights:

Emilia Bassano: A historical figure from Elizabethan England, who, in the novel, is portrayed as the true author behind some of Shakespeare's plays. ⬇️

This definitely was not in my top 10 favorite Jodi Picoult books. I found it confusing, and too long. Interesting concept for sure, just not for me.

This book was kind of disappointing. Author did another story within a story and I don't think that was smart. In the modern day story, there was no character development, a lot had already happened and we were dropped into the middle of it. I didn't connect with main character. In the play the MC wrote, I liked it alright but was still meh. Disappointing and barely made it to a so so rating.

Jodi and Shelby Van Pelt 😍

I enjoyed this book, but it just felt unnecessarily long. Loved the dual POVs (I found Emilia‘s chapters more engaging).

The book posed interesting questions about Shakespeare‘s legacy and I felt this was done in a respectful way.

One thing that got to be a bit too much was the constant portrayal of Emilia‘s suffering, which at times is what made me take a break from the story.

Great read if you are patient with it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many years after Melina graduated from Bard College, the course she remembered most was not playwriting seminar or a theatre intensive but an anthropology class.
#firstlineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
And #schoolspirit #college
@eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

I hate to say this because I love the author and so many people love the book, but it was a DNF for me. I read 1/3 but just didn‘t enjoy the historical chapters

This book will be in my top favorites for the year. It is my favorite Jodi Picoult book ever. I had a hard time putting it down and at the same time hated for it to end. It's long but was a fairly quick read for me. I was so invested in this book.

Full review: https://lsmoore49.blogspot.com/2024/09/by-any-other-name-by-jodi-picoult.html

I‘m a huge fan of Jodi Picoult‘s books. I had a little trouble getting into the beginning of this novel. Even so, I loved this historical fiction novel. The story of 2 women from very different centuries woven together by blood ties who are both playwrights. I loved them both. Life challenges made things difficult for each of them, yet they did what was necessary in order to survive. Poetry and plays were interspersed throughout. 5/5

Slow pick. Even though I don‘t like all her stories, Jodi remains auto read for me because her social commentary makes me think outside my box. I almost DNF‘d this one because I couldn‘t get into the 1552 story, but hung on for the 2023 angle. I found my rhythm at 30% in and began to question the role of the real William Shakespeare‘s in the works attributed to him. …It seems it‘s harder for me to read JP outside of a contemporary setting.

I love historical fiction that covers something different than war. The dual timeline worked so well in braiding the themes from one era to another, which is kind of depressing when you think of how slow societal ideals change. The historical timeline had old English writing with modern dialogue, which was both a relief for me but admittedly took me out of the story at times. I never liked Shakespear and really enjoyed this read.

Picoult‘s latest surrounds the theater & the plausible idea that William Shakespeare may not be the pen responsible for the plays & sonnets published in his name. Split between a modern storyline with struggling playwright Melina Green & the 16th century life of Emilia Bassano, a published poet, courtesan, wife & mother (along with redundant pages of Melina‘s script), Picoult packs a lot in that is sure to lead to lively dialogue amongst readers!

Now Available! 🥳🎉📚
By Any Other Name- Jodi Picoult

Book Review- https://www.boleybooks.com//by-any-other-name/

#boleybooks #byanyothername #jodipicoult #bookbeast #netgalley #pubday #bookbuds

Not my favorite Jodi book. But still a good read!

https://reecaspieces.com/2024/08/20/by-any-other-name-by-jodi-picoult-bookreview...

1 chapter read and already hooked! #arc

BOOKMAIL. Best mail.

Jodi Picoult
Random House Publishing

Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
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#boleybooks #jodipicoult #byanyothername #bookbeast #NetGalley #bookbuds #bookchat

I was having a not so great day and then I received this unrequested ARC… 😭😭

I‘m so excited to read this!