Summary: 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 nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
My Review: I feel like I’m possibly the last person to read this book. There are so many reviews and so many people who have read it, but it’s been on my TBR for a long time and I even bought the audiobook when I had some credits a few years ago. I usually only read physical books. Reading a physical book is my favorite medium, but sometimes I will read a digital book (if that’s the only way I can get it) and sometimes I will even listen to a book! I prefer to listen to podcasts, but sometimes I feel like a rebel. I listened to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! Look at me living on the edge…
So. I loved listening to this! I listened to it while driving to my parents’ house over Christmas break. It’s not a short drive, so I sometimes get tired. I did not get even drowsy at all! I was riveted. I thought the narration was awesome. There were different voices for the younger Evelyn and the older Evelyn, plus a few of the other main characters. There were places where there were magazine articles interspersed and those were read by yet another author. I guess I should have more trust in audiobooks, but I never know how they’re going to handle those kinds of things. I get worried that I’ll be confused and never know what’s going on or who is talking or maybe miss an important interlude, but that never happened. I knew right where I was and I was riveted. Actually, and I’m going out on my own limb doing this (because basically everyone else is sold on audiobooks, I realize), I thought listening to this was epic. I didn’t get to listen to the whole thing driving up and back so I even finished cleaning out a closet while listening to the last couple hours! My husband would tell you that was a miracle. He’s probably not wrong.
I loved the story. I thought it was really interesting, and I loved the different characters. They weren’t perfect people, and a lot of them were not necessarily even likeable, but I liked how real they felt, and even though I don’t personally know any movie stars, I felt like I did after this. I loved that we got to read about and live a really interesting and remarkable life while reading this book. It was like getting all the tea from the inside source, and the juicy details just kept coming! I do love a good spot of tea when I can get my hands on it. This book provided plenty of tea, and it’s the kind of tea we plebians are not usually in the market to get.
There are lots of twists and turns in this book, and there is one at the end that we’re told about, and I figured I knew what the deal was, but I still found it surprising and a good end to the story. I do love when things are wrapped up and resolve well, even if it’s not a happy ending. I like to feel satisfied at the end of the book. I’m just a basic girlie who wants to have fond memories of a book I read, and if you leave me hanging, it will taint my views of the book while looking back.
If you like women’s fiction, especially historical women’s fiction, I highly recommend this book. It’s pretty amazing. The ratings on Goodreads and the fact it’s a Goodreads winner should tell you I’m not alone.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
For the sensitive reader: There is language, sex, violence, spousal abuse, gay love and sex, and car wrecks. I know it sounds bad, and it is, but it’s not terrible. I would say its edgier than most historical women’s fictions, but it is not a Scandinavian crime novel level.
