
Titles in This Set:
By Any Other Name
Wish You Were Here
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780593874714/9781473692534
Overview:
This two-book paperback collection brings together Jodi Picoult’s latest fiction in a compact, accessible pairing that fans will prize. By Any Other Name reimagines a pivotal moment in theatrical history, intertwining the life of Emilia Bassano—believed by some to have authored works attributed to Shakespeare—with a contemporary playwright named Melina Green who seeks to claim her voice in a male-dominated world. Wish You Were Here follows Diana O’Toole, a young art specialist whose carefully mapped plans for career success and a dream trip to the Galápagos are upended by a global health crisis and a difficult personal choice. The combination offers readers two emotionally resonant tales that fuse literary history with present-day stakes, exploring creativity, identity, and resilience. This set is ideal for readers who enjoy character-driven storytelling, thoughtful dilemmas, and stories that illuminate how art, love, and courage intersect across time. A thoughtful gift for fans of literary fiction and contemporary drama alike.
What This Collection Covers:
Across these two novels, Picoult probes how voice and credit are earned in different ages and spheres. In the Elizabethan-flavored narrative, the struggle for recognition in a male-dominated theatre world raises questions about authorship, memory, and the cost of visibility for women. In the modern tale, a planned ascent in the art world collides with a public health crisis, forcing a reevaluation of priorities, relationships, and personal integrity. Themes of ambition, resilience, and the power of choosing whether to tell the truth—and who gets to tell it—thread through both books. The collection invites readers to compare the weight of history with the unpredictability of contemporary life, all delivered in Picoult’s accessible, human-centered style. The paperback format makes the pair easy to enjoy in any setting, whether a quiet night at home or a lively book club discussion.
Book-by-Book Guide:
By Any Other Name—In this dual-timeline novel, Melina Green discovers that her Elizabethan ancestor, Emilia Bassano, may have written plays attributed to William Shakespeare. To win the acknowledgment she so thoroughly desires, Melina navigates a theatre world that often undervalues women, all while wrestling with the risks of pursuing a controversial idea. When a friend submits Melina’s work to a festival under a male pseudonym, the lines between artistic truth and strategic concealment blur. The narrative moves between centuries to reveal how women’s voices are dismissed—and how courage, collaboration, and artistic integrity can challenge those power structures. With sharp insights into gender, race, and fame, Picoult crafts a compelling meditation on who gets to speak, and who benefits when history is rewritten.
Wish You Were Here—Diana O’Toole’s orderly, ambitious life is disrupted when a health crisis upends travel plans to the Galápagos and changes the course of her relationship with Finn. On the eve of a major promotion at Sotheby’s, she must navigate professional temptations and personal loyalties as the world outside slows to a halt. Picoult threads Diana’s inner resilience with the outer pressures of work, family, and love, painting a portrait of a woman who learns to adapt when certainty dissolves. The novel examines how unexpected events can redefine what we value, and how courage shows up in small, quiet decisions as well as bold, life-altering ones.
Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This two-book collection is ideal for adult readers and mature YA fans who crave character-driven fiction grounded in ethical dilemmas and human connection. It suits readers seeking a blend of historical imagination and contemporary realism, fans of Picoult’s thoughtful plots, and anyone who enjoys stories about voice, identity, and resilience under pressure. Gift buyers will appreciate the accessibility of the paperback editions and the way the two novels complement each other for a thoughtful reading experience. Whether you’re building a Picoult collection, selecting a gift for a book club, or expanding a shelf of contemporary fiction with literary depth, this set offers a compelling, immersive experience.
Key Benefits:
About the Author:
Jodi Picoult is an American novelist celebrated for her engaging, morally layered storytelling. Her books commonly explore family dynamics, ethical dilemmas, and social issues through relatable characters and clear, accessible prose. Picoult’s work invites readers to examine complex questions about truth, responsibility, and human relationships, often blending historical context with contemporary relevance. In By Any Other Name and Wish You Were Here, her signature approach— weaving intimate personal stakes with larger cultural questions—offers readers a thoughtful, emotionally resonant reading experience. Picoult’s ability to juxtapose different time periods while maintaining a strong, character-driven narrative makes these novels a natural entry point for readers exploring themes of voice, identity, and resilience.
Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning this two-book collection means you receive a compact, cohesive reading experience that showcases Picoult’s range—from historical fiction that questions authorship and representation to contemporary fiction that tests plans and relationships under pressure. The pairing invites reflection on how the past informs the present and why understanding multiple perspectives matters in art, love, and life. With its inviting paperback format and strong, relatable characters, this set is a reliable, satisfying purchase for solo readers, gifting, or group discussions, making it a welcome addition to any contemporary bookshelf.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
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