I enjoyed every word
of this fascinating and intriguing story – I am sure that this novel will go
down in history as the one that unveiled the truth behind the so-called
greatest author of all time. (Review by Fiona de Goede)
What if William Shakespeare was not in truth the greatest
playwright and poet of all time?
What if all his great plays were actually penned by a young girl by the name of Emilia Bassano?
This is the intriguing question asked in the latest offering by prolific author Jodi Picoult.
As with all her books, her research is extensive. And thorough.
By Any
Other Name is no exception – on the contrary, her notes, references,
sources and resources covers an impressive 40 or so pages.
I suggest reading her Author’s Note before embarking on this extraordinary tale. I did and found it to be extremely beneficial in clarifying and, dare I say it, proving that Emilia Bassano was the writer of the works attributed to Shakespeare.
Emilia Bassano was an educated young Italian girl as well as being an accomplished musician and she could craft a story or poem beautifully. At a young age, she was promised to the Lord Chamberlain as his mistress – his role was to read through plays, suggest changes to the playwrights and decide whether these plays were suitable to be performed.
He trusts Emilia’s suggestions and her input becomes more and more important. However, being a woman in the 16th century of course means that her name cannot appear on any formal revision of any play that she enhances. Until she decides to offer payment to an actor named William Shakespeare so that she may use his name on her work.
Centuries later, a young aspiring playwright, Melina Green, is struggling to break through the barrier of the male-dominated theatre world and to gain recognition for the work she is doing. She learns that Emilia is an ancestor and this starts her on her journey of discovery that, perhaps, Emilia was the pen behind Shakespeare’s work. History then repeats itself as a play that Melina has written is submitted under a male pseudonym.
I deliberately do not want to divulge too much about this novel. Each and every reader who has the opportunity to get their hands on a copy deserves to go on a journey of discovery without too many spoilers to mar the process and to get the full reading pleasure.
By Any Other Name is published by Penguin Random House - ISBN 978-0-241-67605-9
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