Review of The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 The Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

"No one is just a victim or a victor. Everyone is somewhere in between." p 369 

When people told me to read this book again and again I was hesitant. What if it wasn't as good as people made it out to be, who the heck is Evelyn Hugo, what if it wasn't as good as Daisy Jones? All this stopped me from picking up until FINALLY I said okay let's read this sucker. AND OH MY GOD! How did I live so long without knowing this story! Yes, this is all a very dramatic way of saying if you're on the fence about read this masterpiece, stop what you are doing and read it! Evelyn Hugo is a brilliant story about love, found family, sex and sexuality, old Hollywood, grief, and it's also part of a coming of age story in a sense. There is so much in these 388 pages that you will be begging for more. It's about the labels that people place on you and how confusing those labels can be when in the process of finding yourself. It's about challenging the status quo. It's about the difference between sex and sexuality. But mostly it's about love. The way Reid is able to craft such a well-told story that makes you hate and love Hugo in one breath and still cheer for her to find happiness is truly a work of art. 

This book follows Monique Grant as she is picked from the masses to interview the legendary Evelyn Hugo, a famed movie star for the 50s to the 80s. Hugo is most know for her sexualized image and movies, and for have a roster of seven husbands. But once Monique meets Evelyn she comes to find out that she is not there for a puff piece but rather is enlisted to write the biography of the star. In the dual storyline, we get Evelyn's story told from the beginning and without any hesitation. The story is heartbreaking, raw, and emotional until the very end. Just when you think you know the twist Reid surprises you with the biggest twist of all and you'll be fighting those tears back. I will without a doubt be thinking of this story for months to come! 

Stand out quote: 

"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn't give things, you take things. " p. 35 

Some questions to ponder: 

1. Evelyn whitewashes her identity to fit into the model of Hollywood, do you believe this was wrong? Necessary? 
2. Why are correct labels so important to Evelyn? 
3. How does each marriage change Evelyn? How does each relationship? 
4. Do you feel the book would stand without the addition of the 2017 timeline (as in the story being told solely from Evelyn's POV)? What are the benefits to Evelyn's character arch with this timeline? 

Thanks for stopping by and if you loved this I bet you'll love Daisy Jones & The Six and Maiblu Rising all out now! 

-MDB