Taylor Jenkins Reid: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Lara

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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.


“You have to find a job that makes your heart feel big instead of one that makes it feel small.” 

This is that book, that book that catches me of guard, that kind of a book that intrigues me on an infinite level without me actually knowing why, that book that leaves an impression – that book that I couldn’t stop reading when meteors started crashing and burning everything around me, but you know, I was still sitting in the middle of a meteor fire ring, “please don’t burn me I need to finish this chapter welp”.

Evelyn’s shocking and scandalous life story is written in as a sort of autobiography from Evelyn’s perspective, intercepted with her interactions with Monique Grant – a reporter she chose to deliver her life story to the rest of the world after she dies. Evelyn Hugo delivers her story in a way she does everything in her life – to make people desperate for more. Beautiful, talented, intelligent and calculated actress, who knew how to get everything she ever wanted, except for one thing – to keep her true love close to her. But of not less than seven husbands, who was the love of Evelyn’s life?

When thinking about this book I still catch myself asking “What can be so interesting about a fictional actress’s biography?” Well, I guess it’s the eternal note of incompleteness and confidence that surrounds the unknowable and mysterious Evelyn Hugo. I knew almost all the information about her from the first few chapters, but I needed THE story, I needed Evelyn’s words and answers – Will she get that Oscar? What happened to her daughter? Why did she choose Monique Grant? What is the ending to her love story? If Evelyn Hugo wants the people to know the truth, she is going to be sure their minds are blown and that they remember her. If it’s time for Evelyn Hugo to leave this world she is going to make damn sure she leaves it with style.

“Evelyn looks at me with purpose. "Do you understand what I'm telling you? 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. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.” 

A heartbreaking and beautiful love story, as well as the story of Evelyn’s family, are so emotional and inspiring, addressing the issues of society and family life as well as every actor’s career and Holywood life. Evelyn is a beautiful woman who knows exactly what she wants and uses every asset she has to get it, not bothering to check on those she trampled on her way to the top. I loved her sarcastic, cynical charisma, her stories, but what I loved the most about this book is it’s ending – specifically the way Evelyn wants people to see her after she’s gone. After a lifetime of acting, getting richer and more famous, Evelyn realized all those Oscars and money mean nothing when she’s alone. Her family, her love and the ones she met on the way are the ones who meant the most to her, and in the end, it’s not the destination but the journey that matters. You are not your career, and there is only so much you can do alone until you sink.

At the end of this book, I almost forgot that Evelyn wasn’t a real actress, but oh I wish she was because she is fucking awesome xd

“Don't ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box. Don't do that.” 


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