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A review by thewordsdevourer
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
this book is fictional. it's fake, all a product of the author's imagination. and yet, and yet i cant help thinking that evelyn hugo's a real person, thats how realistic and affecting her story is.
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo is brilliant. it's marvelous, delicious storytelling of a woman's ambitions and the choices--both good and bad--she makes to protect herself and those she loves. her cunning and the lengths she'd go to do the latter are both awe-inspiring and twisted, yet heartbreaking bc they shows the desperation of her situation, in a world set on its misogynistic view and expectation of women, and deeply rooted in its bigoted ways; heartbreaking as well bc i know that it's not far-fetched from at least a few actual ppl's realities. the secret connection between monique and evelyn, however, isnt as dramatic a twist as i thought it'd be.
and while evelyn is def the star, other characters and their relationships w/ her and one another are as complex, real and compelling; i cried w/ them and felt for them, and had to keep reminding myself not to google any of them bc theyre fictional. the most heartfelt and moving relationship for me is prolly that of evelyn and harry; i'll never get over them and their dedication and love for one another, that tho platonic, is no less grand and moving than others. also love the book's incisive exploration of women--esp famous women--and female bodies, the price and construct of fame, belief in oneself and one's abilities, the truth both in its power and devastating consequences.
very, very glad i hopped on the hype train, bc it led me to this page-turner, a fantastic story w/ a fierce, complex female lead that deals w/ timeless themes thats unlike any ive ever read before. if men are hesitant abt reading this book bc of its 'women's fiction' tag (wtf even is that?) then it's their huge loss.
the seven husbands of evelyn hugo is brilliant. it's marvelous, delicious storytelling of a woman's ambitions and the choices--both good and bad--she makes to protect herself and those she loves. her cunning and the lengths she'd go to do the latter are both awe-inspiring and twisted, yet heartbreaking bc they shows the desperation of her situation, in a world set on its misogynistic view and expectation of women, and deeply rooted in its bigoted ways; heartbreaking as well bc i know that it's not far-fetched from at least a few actual ppl's realities. the secret connection between monique and evelyn, however, isnt as dramatic a twist as i thought it'd be.
and while evelyn is def the star, other characters and their relationships w/ her and one another are as complex, real and compelling; i cried w/ them and felt for them, and had to keep reminding myself not to google any of them bc theyre fictional. the most heartfelt and moving relationship for me is prolly that of evelyn and harry; i'll never get over them and their dedication and love for one another, that tho platonic, is no less grand and moving than others. also love the book's incisive exploration of women--esp famous women--and female bodies, the price and construct of fame, belief in oneself and one's abilities, the truth both in its power and devastating consequences.
very, very glad i hopped on the hype train, bc it led me to this page-turner, a fantastic story w/ a fierce, complex female lead that deals w/ timeless themes thats unlike any ive ever read before. if men are hesitant abt reading this book bc of its 'women's fiction' tag (wtf even is that?) then it's their huge loss.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Sexism, Homophobia, Death, and Infidelity
Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Grief
Minor: Abortion, Racism, and Blood