By Jodi Picoult
Masterful Writing and Research
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Two women playwrights who live centuries apart are forced to hide behind the name of a man to have their voices heard. The story intertwines the two narratives with a timeless story of women with ambition, courage, and a struggle to be heard
In 1581, Emilia Bassano, like most women of her time, was not allowed to have a voice. But that didn’t stop her from writing. From a young age, Emily wrote and perfected her craft, ultimately creating great dramatic plays using the loves and experiences of her life. But to have any of her writing published or produced, she had to pay a man for the use of his name. That man was the young and relatively unknown actor Will Shakespeare.
In 2013, Melina Green, a descendant of Emilia, faced similar challenges over 400 years later. Melina began writing plays while at Bard College. While an initial play had won a playwriting festival nod, it had been savagely panned by a critic as immature. Several years later, she has written a play about the life of Emilia, which is also recognized as brilliant by a theater festival. It had been submitted under Mel Green, and the judge assumed Mel was male. Melina, who is determined to tell Emilia’s story, finds the theater playing field is still not level for women.
We know what we are, but we know not what we may be. —Ophelia, Hamlet (IV.v.47)
And though she be but little, she is fierce. -– Helena, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (III.ii.342)
REVIEW
The writing and research in BY ANY OTHER NAME are masterful. The cleverly interwoven tales of Emilia and Melina are perfect for the book's theme. These two strong-willed and courageous characters propel the narrative and make you feel like you are living their experiences with them.
The story of women struggling to have a voice in history is poignant, thoughtful, and moving. In BY ANY OTHER NAME, bestselling author Jodi Picoult provides us with a book that is routed in historical resources and written from the heart. Picoult makes a thought-provoking case for Emilia’s work being published by Shakespeare and challenges us to read between the lines. Just because there is no proof means that Shakespeare's published works will have to speak for themselves. Could they really all have been written by a sixteenth-century man?
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher Ballantine Books
Published August 20, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
Comments