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A review by mahiyaa
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
How do I say this in the nicest way possible. I know this story. We all know this story. The glamor, the sexualization, the misogyny, the secret infamous lives of famous women. So, does this book add anything to the narrative? Does it say anything that has not been said equally by, if not better than, the lives of real women that have lived with Evelyn Hugo has lived? Is it a challenging, thought-provoking narration that examines our beliefs in ways that nonfiction can't? No.
Does it, in fact, succeed in saying anything at all beyond what is written in the pages? Also no.
The book is not written in extraordinary prose. The titular character, the mysterious, complex Evelyn Hugo is perhaps the least complex character I have ever read in my life. Ambition & pragmatism does not make a person morally gray. It does not make a person complex.
It was a fine read—good pacing, the writing flows fine. But that's basically all this book was to me, outside of a few personal glaring faults. You won't hate reading it, you'll probably even enjoy it, but you're not missing out on anything by skipping this one, honestly.
Does it, in fact, succeed in saying anything at all beyond what is written in the pages? Also no.
The book is not written in extraordinary prose. The titular character, the mysterious, complex Evelyn Hugo is perhaps the least complex character I have ever read in my life. Ambition & pragmatism does not make a person morally gray. It does not make a person complex.
It was a fine read—good pacing, the writing flows fine. But that's basically all this book was to me, outside of a few personal glaring faults. You won't hate reading it, you'll probably even enjoy it, but you're not missing out on anything by skipping this one, honestly.