Scan barcode
A review by evieslibrary
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
4.0
I am most likely in the minority but I didn’t know of the theories around Shakespeare prior to picking this book up. This book definitely does the job of starting the conversation on both that but also misogyny within the creative field. I found that the past and present timelines drew certain parallels which made for a really interesting comparison showing how far we have come yet how far we have yet to go. I thought this aspect of the story was well explored and it’s really clear the amount of research that has gone into Emelia’s story.
I did find this one a little slow at times, although not necessarily in a bad way as I do think certain aspects needed to build slowly. I would say that at times the past elements did just feel a little bit too long- whilst I appreciate this is mainly a story about Emelia, I found that because it was so drawn out it almost lost my attention making it harder to form those deep connections. On the contary with the current timeline, I felt as though I wanted it to focus on other areas, it seemed to skip really important things- I’d have especially liked more from Jasper. I think because of the now timeline leaving me wanting more, it made the length of the past timeline feel longer almost.
Aside from Emelia who is a strong character my favourite character was definitely Jasper, I found him really relatable and really well fleshed out. I just wish we had gotten more from him and that dynamic, it felt as though that element was skipped over. I also really loved Kit, he was a really wholesome character who was easy to connect with.
I loved how Bess was with Emelia throughout her lifetime and the friendship that the cultivated, I think she will likely be a character that is a little overlooked with her being so on the side, but I think she was such a good constant and formed the backdrop on which Emelia grew and developed.
One thing that really stood out to me about the writing in this one alongside the research was the fact that not only were there huge factual elements of Emelia/Shakespeare’s lives. I liked the less obvious things that cropped up in Emelia’s life that as the reader you could connect to Shakespeare’s plays in terms of inspiration, I think this really helped me buy into everything that was being said and definitely sent me down a research rabbit hole.
I think I would have liked more from the relationships in the current timeline. Andre and Melina’s friendship didn’t seem to have much depth, things just all felt very fleeting and I wish we had gotten more- even if it meant a reduction in characters/relationship. There was so much going on in the now chapters that it left me wanting more from the many dynamics whilst also knowing the past would take priority.
There were so many characters I felt mad at throughout the whole book, especially in the past chapters. Emelia deserved to be treated so much better however I am sure that’s the case for so many women at that time. It really is crazy to think about and I felt as though she had been failed by so many people.
This book sort of went in waves of pacey aspects where I felt engaged followed by very slow mundane life aspects that felt so slow and did leave me feeling a little bored. I like how this book opened my mind to something I hadn’t thought of before and really appreciate the intelligence of the writing, I just think it could have been done with fewer pages.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in literature/Shakespeare as like I’ve mentioned a few times, the research that has gone into this book is excellent and the story so eye opening
If I had to capture this book in quotes I would probably choose this one from the present timeline: “Sometimes…it’s like there’s a blurry window between me and the rest of the world. I can’t see them clearly, and they can’t see me.” And the past would be: “She knew the difference between idealism and practicality, she knew that clinging to your principles didn’t put food on the table. And yet she was a survivor. That was both the blessing and the curse of hope; it turned a weary why into a seductive why not. Even when you were wise enough to understand the odds of failure, all you saw was that sliver of possible success”
I did find this one a little slow at times, although not necessarily in a bad way as I do think certain aspects needed to build slowly. I would say that at times the past elements did just feel a little bit too long- whilst I appreciate this is mainly a story about Emelia, I found that because it was so drawn out it almost lost my attention making it harder to form those deep connections. On the contary with the current timeline, I felt as though I wanted it to focus on other areas, it seemed to skip really important things- I’d have especially liked more from Jasper. I think because of the now timeline leaving me wanting more, it made the length of the past timeline feel longer almost.
Aside from Emelia who is a strong character my favourite character was definitely Jasper, I found him really relatable and really well fleshed out. I just wish we had gotten more from him and that dynamic, it felt as though that element was skipped over. I also really loved Kit, he was a really wholesome character who was easy to connect with.
I loved how Bess was with Emelia throughout her lifetime and the friendship that the cultivated, I think she will likely be a character that is a little overlooked with her being so on the side, but I think she was such a good constant and formed the backdrop on which Emelia grew and developed.
One thing that really stood out to me about the writing in this one alongside the research was the fact that not only were there huge factual elements of Emelia/Shakespeare’s lives. I liked the less obvious things that cropped up in Emelia’s life that as the reader you could connect to Shakespeare’s plays in terms of inspiration, I think this really helped me buy into everything that was being said and definitely sent me down a research rabbit hole.
I think I would have liked more from the relationships in the current timeline. Andre and Melina’s friendship didn’t seem to have much depth, things just all felt very fleeting and I wish we had gotten more- even if it meant a reduction in characters/relationship. There was so much going on in the now chapters that it left me wanting more from the many dynamics whilst also knowing the past would take priority.
There were so many characters I felt mad at throughout the whole book, especially in the past chapters. Emelia deserved to be treated so much better however I am sure that’s the case for so many women at that time. It really is crazy to think about and I felt as though she had been failed by so many people.
This book sort of went in waves of pacey aspects where I felt engaged followed by very slow mundane life aspects that felt so slow and did leave me feeling a little bored. I like how this book opened my mind to something I hadn’t thought of before and really appreciate the intelligence of the writing, I just think it could have been done with fewer pages.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in literature/Shakespeare as like I’ve mentioned a few times, the research that has gone into this book is excellent and the story so eye opening
If I had to capture this book in quotes I would probably choose this one from the present timeline: “Sometimes…it’s like there’s a blurry window between me and the rest of the world. I can’t see them clearly, and they can’t see me.” And the past would be: “She knew the difference between idealism and practicality, she knew that clinging to your principles didn’t put food on the table. And yet she was a survivor. That was both the blessing and the curse of hope; it turned a weary why into a seductive why not. Even when you were wise enough to understand the odds of failure, all you saw was that sliver of possible success”