Hardcover, 388 pages
English language
Published March 15, 2017 by Atria Books.
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel …
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn's luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn's story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.
Written with Reid's signature talent for creating "complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth
I enjoyed reading this book about a fictional celebrity who wishes to tell her story. The magazines made headlines for her seven marriages and then divorces. But what was hidden behind them ? Fame and money don't bring happiness. Who still doubts it ? Not Evelyn Hugo.
Nice and light reading. The story is a bit foreseeable but it's well written.
Reid performs a fun balancing act of switching viewpoint characters, as well as sprinkling in ephemera from the history of the fictional protagonist. It's a very smooth and easy read, a real page-turner. While there are surprises and twists, they all feel very well-earned. It's a story of love, a story of devotion, a story of ruthlessness and of generosity.
By the end of the book, I really wished that Evelyn Hugo had been a real person, such is Reid's ability to create real characters. Monique and Harry and Celia all feel fully-realized as well, and even the characters who barely get any "screen time" act like people. The dialog is snappy and I'd love to have a snarky conversation with Evelyn.
Recommended to anyone who likes books about people and social norms.
I don't know what to do with this book. I did not go crazy over it, like everyone else. I don't even know how I want to rate it.
If you look at the basic facts, this is a perfect book. It has an intriguing, well paced plot. Well written, fleshed out characters. It tackles prominent conflicts of society: feminism, diversity, race, stardom and pop culture.
It is well written and a novelty, because something like this has not been written before. It appeals to the masses. It's really really good. From an art point of view this books deserve an oscar. I even recommended it to my friend, because I think it contains messages, that could actually be meaningful to her.
But I did not love this book. It was okay to listen. But it did not touch me. At points I was like yes, I like that, I …
I don't know what to do with this book. I did not go crazy over it, like everyone else. I don't even know how I want to rate it.
If you look at the basic facts, this is a perfect book. It has an intriguing, well paced plot. Well written, fleshed out characters. It tackles prominent conflicts of society: feminism, diversity, race, stardom and pop culture.
It is well written and a novelty, because something like this has not been written before. It appeals to the masses. It's really really good. From an art point of view this books deserve an oscar. I even recommended it to my friend, because I think it contains messages, that could actually be meaningful to her.
But I did not love this book. It was okay to listen. But it did not touch me. At points I was like yes, I like that, I wish people would write more like that. And there were relationships that I found special and meaningful. It was not enough though.
There were things that annoyed me. The plot twist at the end was pretty predictable. At some points I was only reading the book to figure out the big reveal at the end. To sell the story, it had to be good. But it was not. I also think I have problems with the values of Evelyn. But I think I have to think more about that.
All in all, I can understand why everyone loves this book, I don't understand why I do not love this book. However it is a worthy read.
Purchasable
https://audiobookstore.com/audiobooks/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo.aspx.