Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Such an amazing story. I'm finding it difficult to talk about it without mentioning spoilers, but this is a story about a woman, her sexuality and the people that she loved.

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dorhi's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This book isn't the sort of thing I usually read and it was a rather refreshing change, although I don't think it could become my staple genre/style.

One thing I did really enjoy about this book was the period setting - or settings. I loved starting in the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 50s and up and through into the 80s where our characters were aging and we got glimpses of historical events happening in the periphery. It was easy to digest without being bogged down in anything that didn't directly affect the protagonists. Perhaps did a little character building as well, as Evelyn Hugo herself didn't seem to concern herself much with anything outside of what was directly involving her.

That being said, I often found myself bored whilst reading this book. Sometimes it skipped over things too quickly, or lingered on others too much to the point I found myself putting the book down for about 2 weeks without thinking twice about it. Once I continued and moved past the beginning it did start to liven up. Around halfway through the book we get a little LGBTQ+ twist, which I enjoyed to be honest even if it sometimes felt a little ... forced?

Jenkins Reid definitely doesn't leave any ambiguity in any of the characteristics or plot points we come across while reading - she tells us exactly if this thing is good or bad. Sometimes, as Monique is interviewing Evelyn, Monique will make a comment and Evelyn will correct her curtly, and after only a second of reflection Monique is fully aware of the ignorance of her comment and apologise. It just feels performative and unrealistic, and left me rolling my eyes at times. I don't really need to be told if the character has said something a little dumb or not particularly informed - I can figure it out for myself. It's not a massive criticism of the book but happened often enough that I made a note of it.

I gave this book 3/5 stars as I mostly enjoyed it; the plot kept me intrigued as it kept teasing me with this awful thing that Evelyn had done. The reveal at the end was a little lacklustre - I'd seen something along those lines coming from the beginning - and then the book just sort of ends. But, I did like the book up until then, and the characters, hateable as they are, were kind of fun to read. It was a nice, easy read. Nothing spectacle but ultimately inoffensive.

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_mirandabickford's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I sobbed so hard snot ran down my face from page 350 onward

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norabeideineroma's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-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

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7juniormint's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When I started reading this, I had no idea the ride I was in for. Emotional, personal, real, painful, and joyful, it is the story of people. They feel real, and, at their stories, I smiled and laughed and cried. In deciding to read it, too, I did not know of the queer stories that would be told here, and my excitement at discovering them, as a queer reader myself, is immeasurable. This story is enrapturing, enveloping, and endearing, and, if you are looking for a read that will be impossible to put down, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a great choice.

I find myself so often giving four-star ratings, but the rationale always seems to be different. This book is a four-star one because it meant something to me, and I had fun reading it, and I would recommend it to those looking for something similar. It did not change my life, but it did enhance it. That, for me, makes it worth four stars.

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