Tajuk : The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Penulis : Taylor Jenkins Reid
Penerbit : Simon & Schuster
Genre
: Historical Fiction / Romance
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐
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.
SINOPSIS:
Evelyn Hugo, a star from
Hollywood in 50an era chooses unknown journalist and a new writer, Monique
Grant to write a biography about her never-been-told-stories of her whole life
and deeper insight into her infamous marriages. Monique was shocked when
suddenly opportunity falls into her lap. Monique has no choice but to accept and make this as a huge opportunity for her career. Evelyn and Monique sit together and reveal Evelyn's life as Monique take notes, listen and record it. But Monique has no idea that Evelyn will change her life forever after the meeting.
As Evelyn revealed story of her
long, scandalous, tragic, glamorous life in Hollywood, two questions rise to
the forefront: which of Evelyn’s seven husbands was the love of her life, and
why—of all the journalists in the world—did Evelyn choose Monique to tell her
story?
Evelyn managed to escape and run from her abusive father and
follow her late mother’s dreams to Hollywood by using her power. Evelyn is
clever and perfectly prepared to use her greatest gift – her beauty – to get
what she wants. She changed her Cuban-American identity and her name. She
married and makes connections with the right people to get where she needs to
be come – a Hollywood star.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn
Hugo is a kind of biography for a fictional character. Those
who like character-driven stories, forbidden loves, and the glitz and celebrity
scandal based on a cross between Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner will love
this book.
REVIEW:
Taylor Jenkins Reid has portrayed Evelyn as a woman to
get what she desires, driven by her powerful sense of ambition. After she
having achieved all that she wanted to achieve and more, after a certain point
in life there is more she desire to it, more she want from it, and other than money and fame she wants to love freely and openly, to be her true
self.
Taylor Jenkins Reid made me believe
that Evelyn Hugo was a real actress in 50s era and not a fictional story. This book is It is easy to digest, fun to read and makes me wonder what will happen in the following chapters. I
recommend it if you are ok with LGBT theme.
BUT, I just didn’t care much about all the
characters except Evelyn friendship with Harry Cameron tore me apart. Most parts
of the book were set in the 1950-60s, unfortunately I didn't feel like it at
all. The dialogue was pretty much modern and casual it doesn’t sound in the era
of 50s or 60s at all. I didn’t surprise with the plot twist, it was predictable but it’s definitely not the worst book I've ever read and it’s not a boring book.
This type of book is not my cup of tea. Just OK for me.
“But if you have to go, then go. Go if it hurts. Go if
it's time. Just go knowing you were loved, that I will never forget you, that
you will live in everything Connor and I do. Go knowing I love you purely,
Harry, that you were an amazing father. Go knowing I told you all my secrets.
Because you were my best friend” – Evelyn to Harry Cameron.
