by Jodi Picoult

A Historical Fiction, 2024 by Ballantine, 528 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

Content warning: some descriptions of sexual acts, abuse
As mentioned in the book, the idea that Shakespeare may have been credited with works he didn’t pen could be offensive to some people. I’d suggest readers do research themselves if they know going into it that this might bother them.
Sometimes the amount of time you spend on one storyline makes you forget what is going on in the other. You catch up, but it can be frustrating.

The parallels between the two storylines are beautifully crafted. They’re obvious but not over done.
The research is well done. If you were to research the Shakespeare ghost writer controversy you’d find a lot of information that matches perfectly with these plot lines. The authors note can also help guide research, should you be so inclined.
The main point, that everyone’s voice deserves to be heard and that too many have been silenced, is well painted and well presented.

Fans of theater, language, historical fiction, or contemporary stories. This does a beautiful job of highlighting all those things.
Readers who like a good controversy.
Anyone interested in women’s rights or the silencing of women in history should add this one to their list. It’s powerful in its possibilities.

The importance of the message far outweighs any negatives in the story itself, making this an incredibly important book worth a read.