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A review by micaelamariem
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, published by Washington Square Press, had taken the book community by storm earlier this year. I saw it all over bookstagram and finally I gave in. It’s not my usual genre, but I decided I had to read it anyway. And I’m so glad I did.
Monique Grant is an unknown magazine reporter. Which is why it’s so shocking when famous Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo chooses her to tell her life story to. The thing everyone wants to know about Evelyn is why she married husbands, and out of them, who was the love of her life? The answer isn’t what is expect and this tantalizing tale of forbidden romance, a string of marriages, and what life in the limelight can do to a person unfolds as Monique interviews Evelyn.
I loved this book. The writing style was captivating from the get-go. Usually I fantasize about fantasy books, but I found everyday to be wondering, “What will Evelyn do next?” Perhaps what I loved most about this book was how important the themes are–especially the themes around sexuality. While I do in some part mean LGBTQ+ rights, I also mean how society and the Hollywood industry pushes to either sexualize or desexualize women. Throughout Evelyn’s life, if she didn’t follow the narrative that people wanted to buy, she was punished for it, and more so than her male counterparts. While Evelyn was famous in the 50s-80s, this role of making women be either sexpots or completely innocent is still prevalent today, and the way we treat or punish women based on their sexuality needs to be addressed.
I also loved how the characters in it weren’t completely good or bad. Evelyn Hugo, for example, wasn’t exactly the most likable character. She was self-centered and manipulative–and yet she was also capable of profound compassion. In the beginning, she reminded me a lot of Marilyn Monroe, and yet I’ve come to know more Evelyn than I ever knew about Marilyn. I think Evelyn’s waving morality this is what made me connect more to the characters and care more about them, because no one is one hundred percent good or bad. We all have a little morality and immorality in us.
Processed with VSCO with kc25 preset
And as for the plot—oh the love story took me on a roller coaster ride. I usually hate on-again off-again relationships but this one worked, especially with the theme of needing to get it right. I also appreciated how each section was divided by each husband, like a neat little time period in Evelyn’s life. My favorite husband will always be Harry; hands-down my favorite character.
I had been avoiding reading Taylor Jenkins Reid because her books aren’t YA nor are they fantasy and yet…I loved this book. I think I might have to pick up more of her stuff, especially if she continues to address poignant issues in society like the way we treat women and sexuality. I highly recommend this book to romance readers, anyone passionate about feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, those interested in the Hollywood industry, and well, just your avid readers.
Five stars! (out of five!)
Monique Grant is an unknown magazine reporter. Which is why it’s so shocking when famous Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo chooses her to tell her life story to. The thing everyone wants to know about Evelyn is why she married husbands, and out of them, who was the love of her life? The answer isn’t what is expect and this tantalizing tale of forbidden romance, a string of marriages, and what life in the limelight can do to a person unfolds as Monique interviews Evelyn.
I loved this book. The writing style was captivating from the get-go. Usually I fantasize about fantasy books, but I found everyday to be wondering, “What will Evelyn do next?” Perhaps what I loved most about this book was how important the themes are–especially the themes around sexuality. While I do in some part mean LGBTQ+ rights, I also mean how society and the Hollywood industry pushes to either sexualize or desexualize women. Throughout Evelyn’s life, if she didn’t follow the narrative that people wanted to buy, she was punished for it, and more so than her male counterparts. While Evelyn was famous in the 50s-80s, this role of making women be either sexpots or completely innocent is still prevalent today, and the way we treat or punish women based on their sexuality needs to be addressed.
I also loved how the characters in it weren’t completely good or bad. Evelyn Hugo, for example, wasn’t exactly the most likable character. She was self-centered and manipulative–and yet she was also capable of profound compassion. In the beginning, she reminded me a lot of Marilyn Monroe, and yet I’ve come to know more Evelyn than I ever knew about Marilyn. I think Evelyn’s waving morality this is what made me connect more to the characters and care more about them, because no one is one hundred percent good or bad. We all have a little morality and immorality in us.
Processed with VSCO with kc25 preset
And as for the plot—oh the love story took me on a roller coaster ride. I usually hate on-again off-again relationships but this one worked, especially with the theme of needing to get it right. I also appreciated how each section was divided by each husband, like a neat little time period in Evelyn’s life. My favorite husband will always be Harry; hands-down my favorite character.
I had been avoiding reading Taylor Jenkins Reid because her books aren’t YA nor are they fantasy and yet…I loved this book. I think I might have to pick up more of her stuff, especially if she continues to address poignant issues in society like the way we treat women and sexuality. I highly recommend this book to romance readers, anyone passionate about feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, those interested in the Hollywood industry, and well, just your avid readers.
Five stars! (out of five!)