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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
A Rare 5 ⭐️ For Me
I loved this book! I devoured it. The perfect balance with the historical storytelling of Emilia’s story and present day with Melina. We see how so much in society has changed, yet the struggle of womanhood remains. I felt all the feels and felt completely transported to another time and place in this book and that’s all you can hope for. I’m no Shakespeare zealot so I’m not at all bothered by potential fictional liberties taken. I think Jodi Picoult crafted this remarkably well and I hope others feel the same.
I loved this book! I devoured it. The perfect balance with the historical storytelling of Emilia’s story and present day with Melina. We see how so much in society has changed, yet the struggle of womanhood remains. I felt all the feels and felt completely transported to another time and place in this book and that’s all you can hope for. I’m no Shakespeare zealot so I’m not at all bothered by potential fictional liberties taken. I think Jodi Picoult crafted this remarkably well and I hope others feel the same.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved this book. I know the theory is controversial, but what a great book. I’m beginning to think I actually do like historical fiction when it’s well written haha
Emilia’s story/life was such a beautiful tragedy and relatable in many ways. Her relationship with Southampton was written perfectly. The relationship and rendezvous gave me butterflies and made me cry. Emilia lived so many lives within her lifetime and some of it actually gave me an existential crisis lol Melina’s story line is good also, but I think Emilia’s is the real star. I appreciate the modern parallel and I assume the author’s intent to show what has (or has not) changed since Elizabethan England, but at times it felt a little too on-the-nose or direct. Again, it wasn’t bad, but it certainly lacked some je ne sais quoi Emilia’s storyline had.
Emilia’s story/life was such a beautiful tragedy and relatable in many ways. Her relationship with Southampton was written perfectly. The relationship and rendezvous gave me butterflies and made me cry. Emilia lived so many lives within her lifetime and some of it actually gave me an existential crisis lol Melina’s story line is good also, but I think Emilia’s is the real star. I appreciate the modern parallel and I assume the author’s intent to show what has (or has not) changed since Elizabethan England, but at times it felt a little too on-the-nose or direct. Again, it wasn’t bad, but it certainly lacked some je ne sais quoi Emilia’s storyline had.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If I could give 100 stars I would. Best book I have read in a long time!
“There once was a girl who became invisible so that her words might not be.”
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
3.5/5 Stars
Read March 2025
By Any Other Name is a thought-provoking novel that exposes hoaxes in secrets that can be seen as the truth.
Positive messages: 3.5/5
When life hits you, get back up. You always have a choice. The world can take your physical body, but your soul, mind, and emotions belong solely to you. No one can ever silence you—speak loudly for the world to hear. People groups have been treated unfairly throughout history, but don’t let that stop you from achieving your dreams. Forgiveness, kindness, and gentleness, especially in the context of friendships, are shown as very important attributes.
Many inspiration quotes can be found throughout the novel that will leave readers pondering and discussing for years to come.
Positive role models: 3/5
(Half of the characters belong in Emilia’s story, the half in Melina’s)
Emilia, one of the main characters
Southampton, a man who Emilia cares for, loves her very much. Although their relationship is not healthy and God-honoring (readers, don’t follow in their footsteps!) the love they share for each other is unmatched.
Hunsdon made terrible choices throughout his life (cheating on his wife with another woman for ten years) but you could also see the kindness and love that was inside of him and the respect he had for others.
Christopher (“Kit”) is one of Emilia’s close friends and a confidant. He helps her to recognize her strength.
Isabell…I have mixed feelings. On one hand, she makes lots of mistakes and views sexual intimacy as something that can be given away freely. She teaches Emilia how to “please men” in the bedroom. On the other hand, she lets Emilia cry on her shoulder when she needs. They are close.
Henry, Emilia’s son, is kind and compassionate. Unlike his father, he loves graciously. He recognizes the faults in others and tries to be the best he can be.
Melina (Mel), one of the main characters, has high hopes but is treated unfairly because, well...she’s a woman. Her talent is inspiring and, even when she has to hide in the shadows, she doesn’t give up. She keeps submitting her work, hoping and dreaming that one day she will be recognized.
Andre, although gay, is a good guy. As Melina’s best friend, he helps her to achieve her dreams and stands up for her even when she doesn’t stand up for herself.
Jasper is Melina’s love interest during the story. He makes mistakes, but recognizes them. He wants to make others feel known and appreciated. Although he is straight-forward and not understood by most, when readers see his heart, they will also see that he isn’t the jerk others think he is.
Jeronimo and Alma, his wife, are Melina’s only relatives. You can tell that they both care for her, but value money most. Alma and Melina have a closer-knit relationship that cannot be found with Jeronimo.
NEGATIVE: Alphonso, Emilia’s wife, was paid to marry her. He is constantly abusive and forceful.
Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 2.5/5
Characters drink consistently. A husband gets drunk frequently and beats his wife. Another character gets drunk and spills his secrets.
Language: 4.5/5
‘F—k,’ ‘f—king,’ ‘bada—,’ ‘a—,’ ‘damn,’ ‘s—t,’ ‘d—k,’ ‘w—e,’ ‘slut,’ ‘penis’ and ‘testicles’ (very infrequently), (and other curse words (mostly hurtful words to describe women) are used frequently. God’s name is used in vain.
Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 3.5/5
Punching, hitting, and beating is present (by a man as an action onto his wife). The wife ends up with black eyes, a broken nose, and other injuries. She blacks out frequently because of pain. A character cuts herself (once).
Spoiler
A detailed pregnancy and a woman giving birth is described. An abortion following this event is mentioned. A character is stabbed and dies.Spoiler
A man threatens to kill his son if his wife doesn’t start listening to him.Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 4/5
Sex for pleasure is present during this period and some scenes involving women being used by men for sexual intimacy can be skipped over. Characters mention sex and ‘how to make a man happy.’ Kissing, flirting, and touching are all present. A character is a courtesan (prostitute) at the age of thirteen for a man much older than herself.
Spoiler
Cheating presentWhat You Should Know:
This is the definition of a feminist novel. It also makes it seem like the world today is incredibly racist toward non-binary people, black people, and women. Whether or not you agree with what this book is saying will be based on your worldview.
However, for the most part, I did enjoy it. How it is written—somewhat like a play—is genius. I enjoyed the hints and quotes to real plays and the excerpts from the play By Any Other Name, hence the title.
The culture of misogyny at this time is very prevalent and is graphically displayed. There is sexual assault, but the scenes are mostly fade-to-black. There are also some sexual scenes that have more depth, which can be easily skipped over (if it gets heated, skip the page). I did skip a bit here and there, which I recommend you do as well. The scenes are unnecessary and, in all honesty, scenes like that are very hard to erase from your mind. The concept of the book may be heavy for younger readers, even if they skip the heated parts. The language is also a bit over the top.
Let me put it plainly: The book is not sugar-coated and not YA.
But it is brilliant writing—Jodi Picoult’s work is always fluent and poetic.
I give it 3.5 stars not because the writing is lacking or the characters weren’t relatable, but just that I didn’t love the plot and thought that it was slow. It wasn’t my type of read!
But for those of you who enjoy plays and Shakespeare and poetry (and whatever else about this book looks interesting!) I recommend.
Age Range Recommendation: 18+ Adult Historical Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: SEXUAL ASSAULT/RAPE, ABUSE BY SPOUSE, ABORTION/MISCARRIAGE, DEATH OF LOVED ONES (FRIENDS AND FAMILY), ABUSE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE, MISOGYNY (DEPENDENT ON WORLDVIEW)
Fave Quotes
“Usually," he says, "I start by asking what my characters want, and then what stands in their way of getting it. That how I get to know them."
"Sure. Writing 101.”
"More," is what I tell Noah. "She wants more time. More memories, More laughter. More little moments you don't think you'll remember but you do. She doesn't want it to end. She wants more of what she already has."
“If faith in love were a source of energy, you could power a small planet.”
“Explosives.
Opioids.
Nuclear weapons.
None of them could hold a candle to hope, the most dangerous commodity in the world.”
“Lowered expectations don’t invite disappointment. They expect the imperfect in all of us.”
“Grief was the tax of having something precious.”
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not my favorite style of a book (more historical fiction than anything) but I enjoyed both storylines once I got about 30% of the way in. Definitely better if you know Shakespeare better
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s been a minute since I picked up a Picoult novel but as usual, it doesn’t disappoint. I learned SO much from this book and couldn’t put it down. 18 hours of audiobook felt daunting at first, but I truly didn’t want it to end. Such an interesting premise packed with so much research and information; I am now interested in Shakespeare. A miracle!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated