Could Shakespeare have been a woman? with Jodi Picoult

What if one of literature’s greatest mysteries has been hiding in plain sight? Why do we know Shakespeare’s name but not Amelia Bassano’s? Can historical fiction give forgotten women their voices back? And what happens when you challenge 400 years of literary history?

This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling author Jodi Picoult to talk about By Any Other Name, her novel inspired by the theory that Elizabethan poet Amelia Bassano may have had a hand in writing some of Shakespeare’s plays.

Together they explore the tantalising clues Jodi uncovered in Amelia’s life, the freedom historical fiction offers when history isn’t satisfying enough, and what happens when we question the stories we’ve inherited.

For the full list of books and the transcript visit: Episode 7: Historical Fiction

Send us a question: [email protected].

Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast

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