Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult

5 reviews

kreglow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I enjoyed this one, but there were some issues. Pacing was inconsistent with the intertwining stories. The Elizabethan era portions tended to drag and the language was more melodramatic, while the modern day portion was paced well enough, but only barely touched upon the themes of sexism and racism within the theater community, instead following the heroine of the story, Melina, and a character arc that honestly is not fleshed out enough to make its intended impact. There is a romantic subplot that really doesn't make sense and feels tacked on. And the ending introduces an element of magical realism that did not exist until that point in the story. Overall, a decent read, but not perfect.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

wheelz_10's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility

davschi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Antisemitism, and Death of parent

heyfromsara's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

By Any Other Name is a story about two women hundreds of years apart and the challenges they experience trying to get their voices heard. It’s a powerful story about feminism, finding yourself, and bravery. I did find myself more invested in Emilia’s story than Melina. It’s clear Jodi Picoult completed extensive research for this book. Her authors note at the end was very interesting. I’d recommend this book people who are fans of Picoult’s previous work and theater fans. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy

juanat77's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult 

Jodi Picoult is a must buy for me. I read anything written by her without reading the synopsis. She often writes about controversial issues while also educating the reader on a specific subject (my favorite part).

Any Other Name is different from her other novels, while in her other books she often has multiple POVs in the same time period this one has a historical blend to it, taking place in the 1500s and continuing to present day. Picoult shows how some challenges women face really did not change in the past 500 years within a chauvinistic world. This well-researched tale invites us to think, “Did Shakespeare really write his own stories?” This book shows playwright Emilia Bassano’s life in 1500s England and the obstacles she goes through. Due to the time period she lived through, her voice was not valued as a woman and the literary works that she created were not attributed to her, but rather the well-known figure, William Shakespeare who would claim her stories as his own, showcasing the challenges women like Emilia endured during this time and how they were not seen as equals to their male counterparts.

Fast forward to present day, Melina Green, a playwright and descendant of Emilia experiences challenges of her own. Although woman do have more of a voice in present day some things remain the same. Melina faces similar challenges that Emilia experienced in a male dominated Broadway world. She too, hides behind a man so that her play could be taken seriously.

I loved the connection between Emilia and Melina within the story along with how well written it was. I also really appreciated the character of Jasper, the quirky theatre critic, who showed a unique perspective within the text.

Previously to reading this book, I was not incredibly knowledgeable of Shakespeare. Picoult really helps readers who might have a base level understanding of his work learn more about the playwright. This book showcased people who felt unseen and without a voice while also showing the strength and perseverance they had.

 

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this thought-provoking novel in exchange for an honest review. 

Releases 8/20/24

#NetGalley  #ByAnyOtherName #randomhouse

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail