From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Start date: February 1, 2023

Finish date: February 28, 2023

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: Chosen by members as one of our February 2023 group BotM. Previously read December 2019.
[close] Chosen by members as one of our February 2023 group BotM. Previously read December 2019.

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What Members Thought

Jun 06, 2019 Lauren rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2019

Try as I might, I just didn't care about Evelyn or her huge boobs. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 28, 2019 Kitty Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-books, books-finished

Solidly written with an approachable writing style. Enjoyable to read and consistent throughout. But it was not the life changing amounts of great that I was expecting given the hype behind this book. I've been watching a lot of book reviewers on Youtube lately and this book comes up constantly, followed by a glowing and universal praise unlike any other newer novel I can think of. Long story short, I liked Evelyn well enough as a character so I liked the storyline. I think people who dislike or Solidly written with an approachable writing style. Enjoyable to read and consistent throughout. But it was not the life changing amounts of great that I was expecting given the hype behind this book. I've been watching a lot of book reviewers on Youtube lately and this book comes up constantly, followed by a glowing and universal praise unlike any other newer novel I can think of. Long story short, I liked Evelyn well enough as a character so I liked the storyline. I think people who dislike or don't connect with her as a character will really struggle with this novel.

Evelyn Hugo is an old Hollywood superstar on the level of Marylin Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor. Contained within these pages are a bunch of tabloid-style little articles and references to her career that are well crafted and convincing. It feels like she's real and we follow her journey from a broke and motherless orphan living in squalor to a life of hard-won superstardom, and finally the lattermost years of her life as she recounts every main event, every relationship, and some shocking secrets to a an interviewer.

My main issue is that Evelyn and the interviewer were the two most vivid characters. There are so many characters in this book- between Evelyn's 7 husbands, relatives and friends, and a few others of import, and none of them feel as realized. Somehow it all ends up working though from the sheer force of Evelyn's personality. Her reactions to these people and how they drove her life forward give the story enough flavor. There are many great passages and the ending is quite moving. I'm leaving out a massive part of the plot in this spoiler-free section, as I feel like mentioning it is too big of a spoiler. (view spoiler) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 12, 2021 J. Else rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Evelyn Hugo is an aging starlet telling her true story for the first time. A star during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Evelyn is now ready to set the record "straight." The reporter she's telling it to, though, is a relatively unknown writer who isn't sure why she's been singled out for this opportunity. Evelyn assures her, there's a reason that she'll find out by the end. And the questions start with the biggest of them all, who was Evelyn's true love?

I did not expect to love this book as much as I d Evelyn Hugo is an aging starlet telling her true story for the first time. A star during the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Evelyn is now ready to set the record "straight." The reporter she's telling it to, though, is a relatively unknown writer who isn't sure why she's been singled out for this opportunity. Evelyn assures her, there's a reason that she'll find out by the end. And the questions start with the biggest of them all, who was Evelyn's true love?

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates these beautifully flawed characters that you fall in love with. Despite their selfish acts, their cavalier attitudes, their mistakes, you still can't help but see into their hearts and sympathize with them. The glamour of Hollywood, the price of fame, the stories told about actors and actresses, it's a constant storm in which Evelyn must navigate. It's easy to picture stars from that age and relate Evelyn's struggles with theirs. The gossip about one woman, the marriages of another, the rise and fall of their star power, the sensuality versus the girl-next-door, the scandals.

I think being yourself—your true, entire self—is always going to feel like you’re swimming upstream.

The last chapters had me in tears. I did NOT expect that. The author does a great job of setting a peaceful scene, then dropping one line that completely squeezes your heart. You know tragedy is coming, but you still feel blindsided by the emotional depth portrayed. Jenkins Reid really shines when it comes to making you feel what the characters feel. I will definitely be picking up another of her works.

You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until somewhat stands behind you and says, “It’s OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you.”

I picked up this book from all the TikTok hype, and it did not disappoint. Nothing about life or our choices in it are one-sided. There's a depth many cannot see or don't want to see. Sometimes with female trailblazers, the glass ceilings they attempted to break left them with scars. Evelyn Hugo has many, and it's the things Evelyn Hugo loses along the way that will leave an imprint on your heart even after you close the pages. This book encompasses issues of sexuality, abuse, race, conformity, how rare true love is, and how fleeting life is. Love is healing, love is dangerous, and love is something to be fought for before its too late.

(view spoiler) ...more

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May 20, 2019 Erin rated it really liked it

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It would be a great plane read. It was easy to read and I enjoyed many of the stories -- (view spoiler) Whatever you thought about Evelyn, it was clear that humans are complex creatures and aren't all good or all bad ...more

1 like · Like · see review