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A review by knkoch
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexual content