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kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 13, 2017
T H R E E • W O R D S
Intimate • Captivating • Complex
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
💭 T H O U G H T S
It's safe to say I was (extremely) late to the game when it comes to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It's also safe to say the hype is legit with this one. To be honest, I didn't exactly know what I had been expecting from the synopsis, yet what I got was so much more than I could have imagined.
Beautifully written in a distinct manner, TRJ captures the essence of old Hollywood perfectly - the glitz, the glamour, the sex, the drugs, the drama. There is a cinematic undertone running through the entire narrative. It is a story of loves lost and loves found. Of sacrifice and regrets. Of loyalty and betrayal. It includes incredible characterization of sexuality, soulmates, and friendship. The intimacy with which the story is delivered is so mesmerizing and unique.
And then there is Evelyn! Her character is one for the ages. She was complex and flawed, with an edge to her. Although I didn't always like her, I couldn't help but root for her. Her story was so compelling, and I wanted to savour the pages, yet couldn't stop reading. The supporting cast is also top notch, each with their place in Evelyn's life.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the reason I read. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed. I cried. I ached. TJR pulled me into Evelyn's realm and hasn't let me go. It's a story so profound, exploring sexuality, intimacy, and soulmates unlike anything I've read before. It will be an easy choice for my end-of-the-year favourites list, and has found a home on my all-time favourites shelf. It is also safe to say this will be my favourite book from this author, and I will continue to pick up everything she writes.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like complex, distinct characters
• TRJ devotees
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be read to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn't give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that."
"People are messy, and love can be ugly. I’m inclined to always err on the side of compassion."
"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me' - that's intimacy."
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Abortion, and Pregnancy
scorpiobooklover's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Car accident, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape
bookdragonenby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abortion, Murder, and Pregnancy
clarianya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Rape and Abortion
alphabet_soup's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Miscarriage
jasminrain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Blood, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
jaelovesbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Body shaming, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Pregnancy, Outing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion
cat_astrophe12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Hate crime, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Outing, and Sexual harassment
peachani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Biphobia, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Outing, Gaslighting, and Classism
bookswithlauren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Reading 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' is one of my favourite reading experiences to date. It made me, laugh, it made me smile with complete joy, it made me cry, it made me angry and it completely consumed me from start to finish. I adore Evelyn Hugo and her life, I want to have known Evelyn Hugo, I want to have been a part of her life. I want to read more and more about her. The exploration of fame and Hollywood, sexuality, self acceptance, race, religion, sexism, friendship, family, abusive relationships and so much more is nothing short of perfection.
Taylor Jenkins Reid has such an interesting structure to her writing and I very much enjoy it. Both of her books that I have read so far have been an interview structure with dual timelines. It is such an interesting, clever way to write, I find it to immerse the reader in such a profound way. I cannot wait to read more of her work.
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism