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A review by dorhi
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape