Sample

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

By Any Other Name

By: Jodi Picoult
Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown, Laura Benanti, Jodi Picoult, Jayne Entwistle, Andrew Fallaize, Joe Jameson, John Lee, Nicholas Guy Smith, Simon Vance, Steve West
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.75

Buy for $24.75

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_WEBCRO358_DT_T2

Publisher's summary

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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Jodi Picoult (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“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. Jodi Picoult’s books always start passionate conversations, and this one is sure to get people talking. 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. . . . This one is definitely for fans of Shakespeare’s work; Picoult has done her research.”Harper’s Bazaar

“Perennial best-seller Picoult takes on another hot-button topic sure to ignite controversy and conversation: the question of Shakespearean authorship. . . . [A] timely and affecting tale. . . . Picoult’s many, many fans will pounce on her latest incisive, pot-stirring tale, while the Shakespearean theme will attract even more readers.”Booklist, starred review

What listeners say about By Any Other Name

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    159
  • 4 Stars
    22
  • 3 Stars
    19
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    158
  • 4 Stars
    23
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    149
  • 4 Stars
    27
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Shakespeare’s wealth of works penned by a female

Another totally unique novel from Jodi Picoult. The breadth of her writing is astonishing.

Like Diana Gabaldon‘s explanation and portrayal of time travel, Jodi Picoult’s well researched position that Shakespeare was female is very plausible. There’s little of Shakespeare’s personal life except a portrayal of a young, married man with three children with little schooling or travel. That he might have been a a far better educated, well traveled woman is revelatory.

Shakespeare often has compelling, accurate portrayals of women, which is rarely true of male writing then or now. He also frequently has women disguising themselves as men. The fact that Shakespeare had so little education and travel experience makes his colorfully detailed backgrounds and political knowledge a bit magical. That he could have been a women well versed in discrimination and intolerance, whose life’s trials had her do much traveling and exposure to the upper class personalities and events really rings true.

There has always been accusations that Shakespeare’s work was penned by some other male writers, usually no more plausible than himself. Picoults prosition is extraordinarily well researched, and plausible.

Quite the exciting idea to entertain, that Shakespeare was a woman. Right up there with the realization that Jesus was a brown or black Jew.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Picoult’s best

One of the most profound books I have ever read. Every thing you have ever read by Shakespeare and every study you’ve ever done will be transformed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

OBSESSED

I absolutely loved this book! It was so amazing! The storyline was beautiful, and then the facts that that came with it were even more intriguing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The authors notes. JP’s research and explanations made the awesome fiction work all the more meaningful.

This is will be among the top of my all time favorite reads. Enjoyable, interesting, believable, heart breaking, and just plain awesome. I hope everyone enjoys it as I have.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

what a read!!!

Thus book is Jody Picoult at her finest! it had me from the beginning and what an ending. It opens up so many questions...Google, here I come!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

No Fancy Words From Me…

I LOVED this book. Everything about it spoke to me. I’m sure it’s one I’ll listen to it again. Unforgettable. Thank you for writing it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Willingness to stand out.

This was a great read. The narration was fantastic and the back and forth in time was an interesting format. Mostly, I love Piccoult’s willingness to stand out and up for the underdog. She does it in such a kind caring way.
My favorite of hers is still “Mad Honey” but this one is right up there.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Let’s all reconsider what we know about Shakespeare

I always learn something fascinating when I read a book by Jodi Picoult. This book challenged a lot of long-held beliefs. 

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

This was thought provoking, educational and heartfelt. The characters came to life magnificently. I loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Didn’t like it

Everything including your request that I review it and that’s almost more than l can put up with!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!