Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

246 reviews

ducky_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The way in which Evelyn had me rooting then despising throughout the entirety of this novel. Just like Monique. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Suicide attempt

earth_to_mars's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

My thoughts on Evelyn Hugo are conflicted, so I wanted to start on the technical aspects of Reid's writing. She is a good writer, great even. From descriptions to dialogue, there's not much I can complain about. Her descriptions are vivid but not flowery and the dialogue feels as real as it can, each character has enough of a personality and unique voice that I could probably tell you who said what without tags.

I like her additions of the articles, both old and new as it adds to the believability of this being a biography of an Old Hollywood movie star. 

The pacing is good, slow enough to digest everything that Ms. Hugo is telling us, but not slow enough to feel like a drag when trying to read through each marriage. All in all, her technical skills are the reason I rated this book higher than I wanted to.

My issues lie within the representation within the book. And while yes, I understand this is historical fiction, there's a way to write bigotry without incorporating homophobic and biphobic tropes in a way that almost seems positive. She incorporates Harry as The Gay Best Friend and Celia as The Bitchy Lesbian both of which are not enjoyable in the slightest. She incorporates the downright biphobic trope - The Cheating Bisexual - twice. Once with Evelyn Hugo herself and possibly again with

Monique's father at the end of the book, and I say possibly because Reid does not confirm his sexuality

. I, after listening to POC talk about this book, realize the racial representation is not the best either. While barely incorporating how Evelyn's race effected her career and social status in an era that was incredibly racist to having the only other two Latine characters being a maid and abusive father, the descriptions of "how Evelyn's blonde hair doesn't match her bronze skin" and Monique's fixations on being mixed race, it comes off as ignorant/insensitive at best and bigoted at worst.

It definitely feels as though Reid did not have any sensitivity readers or did any sort of research on marginalized groups or even listen to marginalized voices, which has soured the book for me and why I feel I can only give it a 3.25.

In the end, it's a solid book and the characters and their complexities and flaws are what make the book as good as it is with moments that made my eyes water. But, Reid is in desperate need of making sure her biases/ignorance don't bleed into her writing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Incest, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Xenophobia, Car accident, Abortion, and Injury/Injury detail

densorterytter's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I fear my brain, and its biases, was somewhat deceived by the cover and title of this book. My mind immediately categorized it as what the Norwegians jokingly, but commonly, refer to as “husmorsporno»(*) literally translating to “housewife’s porn”(see below) This beautiful story, certainly wasn’t that.

I found "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” to be really very engaging - and that without needing to rely on either shock value, heavy spice or any other stereotypical romantic trope. I found myself wildly curious, fully immersed, and unable to stop reading - and yet I wasn’t at the edge of my seat(without that being a bad thing!) My feelings while reading where: interested while still being relaxed and truly content with the pace of the story unfolding.

Simply put: I did not want the book to end - yet I had to know what came next.

(*)”Husmorsporno»: romantic/semi-spicy books by mostly non-famous authors targeting the wet dreams and hidden fantasies of somewhat bored, sometimes slightly lonely, and oftentimes mature women. Example: “Fifty Shades of Grey” had it not made it to the masses.
The books are almost always (only) sold in supermarkets near the checkout counter and features covers with shirtless men and swooning ladies(oftentimes in gardens in front of mansions) on the cover. Typical cover art: https://images.app.goo.gl/SHem5ZRgU4hVokqU7

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

aaliyah_lomas15's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A very fun read, I couldn't put it down. I liked the ending and the twist too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Abortion

maddy707's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I understand the insane hype about this book.

This was magnificent. From the very beginning it captivated me. The story was alluring and the character of Evelyn was compelling. I absolutely loved seeing all aspects of her life. The author did a fantastic job of making Evelyn complex and we see that in the decisions she made throughout her life. 

The story was paced excellently and the writing style was simple and had some very profound moments. Knowing very little about the story going into it, I was surprised at where it went. 

Overall this was excellent. Amazingly written and deeply emotional. I cried. I will forever cry over this story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Abortion

Minor: Hate crime and Death of parent

bebidocrimes's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Evelyn Hugo and the people through her life were all so complex and incredible to read, but I would say our framing character Monique fell a little flat. Maybe it's because we only got a small glimpse into her life, but it felt like she learned and applied the lessons from Evelyn's life so quickly and efficiently it didn't have any payoff for what she was dealing with (until the end). I love Harry and how kaleidoscopic queer love can be, how it can easily lie outside the bounds of simple labels. Evelyn Hugo is so layered and complex and fascinating in how she will get what she wants in any way she can.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Eating disorder, Rape, Abortion, and Pregnancy

pianokeys's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, and Alcohol

jess_always_reading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Big breath, okay. 

I'm writing this after just finishing this incredible novel and there are still tears drying on my face because THAT ENDING. 

If I could rate higher than 5 stars I would, this story is beautiful. Jenkins Reid has crafted a suite of characters that are so completely human, complex and evolving, lovable and flawed. A story of love in all its forms, of survival and the way the wounds of our childhood stay with us. Of the pain of living in hiding and in fear. Of a life filled with love, struggle, and loss. 

Evelyn Hugo is a bisexual icon and my heart hurts for her and the many real people who lived and continue to live now in hiding. As a bi+ queer myself, this was so powerful that it left me teary. Don't we all want to find our Harry and Celia?

Lastly, I love the way Jenkins Reid writes Evelyn telling her story. It reads like someone sharing their truths and, in its telling, reveals even more about Evelyn's incredible character. 

100/10 would recommend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Grief

Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, and Blood

lmayfieldx's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Suicide, Medical content, Abortion, Death of parent, and Classism

miralilia's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Car accident

Moderate: Terminal illness

Minor: Homophobia and Rape