A review by kazuchuu
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5.0

"people don't find it very sympathetic or endearing, a woman who puts herself first."

i don't think there is any book that has ruined me more than this one.

ruined me wonderfully, shockingly, devastatingly. this book is far from white lies and sugar-coating. this book is the raw, untainted truth, and i think that's what makes it so powerful.

i've literally just finished it a couple minutes ago so my thoughts are a jumble, but let me say that you don't come out of this book without thoughts that are stark contrasts, thoughts that are along the lines of i admire evelyn hugo in a way i never imagined i would and but if i'm honest, i also hate evelyn hugo a little bit, too.

i love morally grey characters, characters who will fight tooth and nail for their loved ones - and because i'm not used to reading about one set in a realistic setting, this book took me by surprise, took me in all sorts of directions i never imagined. evelyn hugo is one hell of a woman; and she'll make sure you know it. she'll especially make sure you know it if you have something she wants. i think she could overturn all of hollywood, probably. could have, if she wanted to. and i now realise all i'm doing is talking about evelyn but i just can't help it. she's such an interesting, well-developed character that you're not even sure you fully understand even after you finish the book. you always feel like there's more to her. always feel like she'll do something else to surprise you.

i love how this book focused so much on women - the empowerment of women, loving women. evelyn and celia love each other unconditionally, despite literally everything. despite the whole world against them. it's a rare, dangerous kind of love. i think they perhaps ruined each other with it. but it's the kind of love worth fighting for, worth tearing down the whole world for. it's what evelyn did for celia, and what celia did for evelyn. it was incredible to read, because love is not always pretty. sometimes love is ugly, and ruthless, and you want it so bad and all the sacrifices that come with it. the portrayal of love in this book is raw, and honest, and it's just another thing that had me flipping page after page.

anyway. i don't really have much to offer besides my gushing, really. it's been a while since i read a book this powerful. it really grabbed me by the throat and flung me across the room and now i'm just laying here...thinking about it...not quite over it...i don't think i'll ever completely be. damn.