Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

729 reviews

apriltee's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

 I’d recommend the audiobook. The person playing Monique was very expressive, and Evelyn’s voice was very realistic and engaging. Some little annoyances like mentioning people’s ethnicity when not super relevant makes some parts feel a bit performative. There are parts where that vibe comes through and it felt a bit cringey, but I think overall the story was engaging and emotional. It was a pretty emotional rollercoaster and I need to sue the author for all the Kleenex I went through. I truly cannot wait to see some kind of Netflix adaptation of this

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Racism, Terminal illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Outing, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Abortion, Infidelity, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

knkoch's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.25

It's so hard to write a story that covers a long period of time, and to do it well. Anne Patchett did it in The Dutch House, as I remember, but even so, I tend to prefer books that cover a shorter, denser period of time. Stories like Evelyn Hugo that attempt to cover 60-80 years at some depth, are really tough to pull off, and I don't think TJR accomplished that here.

I found some aspects of the story worthy (notably, the beginning of the heart of it), but the arc overall didn't capture me. Too many things turned me off and away from its slim merits. The questions, "What was it all for?" and, "Was it worth it?" resonated for me, in term's of Evelyn's career. I know that I come to this with my own deep skepticism of the dubious value of fame and celebrity, and I found Evelyn's classic Hollywood struggle against misogyny (among many other things) rather grim. I didn't take much pleasure in her story, the power grabs she made, or the gossip magazine asides. I think that because the life Evelyn chooses is so far from anything I would choose for myself, I don't feel any delight in vacationing in her point of view. There's an obsession with physical beauty present that I just can't get myself to care about.

The framing device (Monique, the writer listening to the story in modern times), was way too thin to stand up against Evelyn's narrative. So many characters were scantily developed because again, the story covers a huge span of time. I also disliked the frequent, obvious telegraphing of upcoming plot points TJR did (i.e. "That was the last time I ever saw him", or "My feelings about her were about to change dramatically", etc). That's a pet peeve of mine in writing! Let the plot develop naturally, and if you have to rely on teasing your readers, well, your story isn't as juicy as you'd hoped.

And yet? If this whole thing had been more in-depth and centered on the heart of the story? If it explored the happy moments, and given them more weight? That may have held me more. Several of TJR's novels (I'm thinking of Carrie Soto is Back, Daisy Jones and the Six, and this one) seem to center on very famous people. I'm curious if I would like her books that deal with regular people better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Physical abuse

lemons_and_uwus's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Outing, Biphobia, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Suicide

goodevening77's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-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

It was a really interesting look into the lifestyle of what a famous actor could be like in the 50s onwards

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Car accident

Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Adult/minor relationship

picaresquedreamer's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Grief, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, Gaslighting, and Chronic illness

Minor: Racism and Classism

mobymaize's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

5.0

Evelyn Hugo is a quintessential fictional biography that has consumed my waking moments. If you do anything, it should be to read this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Misogyny, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Toxic friendship, Grief, Physical abuse, Outing, Pregnancy, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Blood, Sexism, Death of parent, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Gaslighting, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, and Car accident

Moderate: Miscarriage

jcshells's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide, Classism, Alcohol, Cancer, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Death, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Outing, Car accident, Drug use, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment

rachelpacz's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Car accident, Death, Grief, and Suicide

Moderate: Abortion, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Drug use, Homophobia, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny

craftysnailtail's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

I wasn't sure what to expect before going into this book. A friend recommended it, but didn't give me much context other than it being an important read for LGBTQIA+. It ended up being quite emotional and honestly rather sad. 

The characters were so vibrant and their stories absolutely captivated me. Evelyn is unlike any other main character I've ever encountered. The nuance of love and loss and all the gray areas found in those things are highlighted beautifully in this novel. At times I was frustrated with Evelyn's choices, but once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. About her. 

If you're in the mood for a reflective, historical, and rather melancholy read- I'd recommend it. I also think it's an important read if you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Car accident, Death, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Terminal illness

Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Abortion, Suicide, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Blood, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent

julesfrigault's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Cancer, Misogyny, Homophobia, Sexism, Death, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Car accident, Grief, Physical abuse, Abortion, Suicide, and Toxic relationship