zosi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
- Took a while to get into, but the ending was well-worth pushing through the slow start.
- Wish the whole book was as well-written as the ending.
- Is it just me, or are Evelyn and C not that compatible? I found their relationship toxic.
- Things felt a bit too convient at times, too neat.
- But, overall, highly enjoyable read; great plot twists and subplots.
- Wish the whole book was as well-written as the ending.
- Is it just me, or are Evelyn and C not that compatible? I found their relationship toxic.
- Things felt a bit too convient at times, too neat.
- But, overall, highly enjoyable read; great plot twists and subplots.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia
leannemayieee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Violence
ulviyyask's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Rape, and Homophobia
marlee_grace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Loved this book. Literally read the last quarter in one sitting. Emotional, Romance and heartbreak intertwined with the devistation and sacrifice that comes with living life in the public eye.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Violence, Terminal illness, Suicide, and Car accident
sampadaac's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
marslotus's review against another edition
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
4.25
While I will admit this was a page-turner of a book, the writing styles of Monique's perspective versus Eveyin's never felt harmonial to me. That is to say I found myself drawn in when reading about Evelyn and unintentionally annoyed at Monique's character (until the ending of course).
She's introduced as honest and forthcoming, but is often presumptuous when speaking to Evelyn. It almost feels like two different people wrote the book, as I felt talked down to when explained bisexuality and LGBTQ+ issues by Monique's perspective. I would expect this from a teen novel, not from this story.
But I can't deny my eyes watering at least twice near the end of the book. This is a good story, maybe my personal preference is just getting in the way of fuly enjoying that. I didn't feel it had a strong start, but I'm glad it got better the farther along I read.
She's introduced as honest and forthcoming, but is often presumptuous when speaking to Evelyn. It almost feels like two different people wrote the book, as I felt talked down to when explained bisexuality and LGBTQ+ issues by Monique's perspective. I would expect this from a teen novel, not from this story.
But I can't deny my eyes watering at least twice near the end of the book. This is a good story, maybe my personal preference is just getting in the way of fuly enjoying that. I didn't feel it had a strong start, but I'm glad it got better the farther along I read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Car accident, Death, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Cursing, Death of parent, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Outing, Suicide attempt, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexism, Violence, Child abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
tabea1409's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Cancer, Blood, Suicide, Abortion, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Terminal illness
lilla_j's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, and Miscarriage
magaisonline's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Decided to read this book because of the hype and now that I finished, it absolutely deserves the praise it's been getting.
The character of Evelyn Hugo is so realistic that at times I thought myself being told an actual biography and wanting to look up the movies and events mentioned by her. The people in her life feel as real as her, with flaws and virtues that the narrative (or Evelyn) doesn't shy about. And I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read about a bisexual woman in love with a lesbian woman where both are portrayed as fully realistic people in a passionate, flawed, but ultimately full-of-love relationship.
The framing device of the interview worked out in the end, and the foreshadowing was done well enough that when the reveal happened, it didn't feel like a plot twist and allowed to see the characters reacting and acting in accordance to it.
Now, the audiobook: They used different voices for Evelyn, Monique and the news/tabloids excerpts. Their voice work is amazing, and it completely immerses you even more into Evelyn's life and Monique's inner thoughts. I'm glad I went straight to the audiobook because it sure enhanced the experience and I can't recommend it enough.
Can't wait to see the screen adaptation.
The character of Evelyn Hugo is so realistic that at times I thought myself being told an actual biography and wanting to look up the movies and events mentioned by her. The people in her life feel as real as her, with flaws and virtues that the narrative (or Evelyn) doesn't shy about. And I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read about a bisexual woman in love with a lesbian woman where both are portrayed as fully realistic people in a passionate, flawed, but ultimately full-of-love relationship.
The framing device of the interview worked out in the end, and the foreshadowing was done well enough that when the reveal happened, it didn't feel like a plot twist and allowed to see the characters reacting and acting in accordance to it.
Now, the audiobook: They used different voices for Evelyn, Monique and the news/tabloids excerpts. Their voice work is amazing, and it completely immerses you even more into Evelyn's life and Monique's inner thoughts. I'm glad I went straight to the audiobook because it sure enhanced the experience and I can't recommend it enough.
Can't wait to see the screen adaptation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Violence, Biphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Alcoholism
erebus53's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
CW: cigarettes, lung disease, AIDS
I'm just trying to think of what I can say. It is a much acclaimed book and and I quite like how it has an invented cast of "stars" who are easily understood through tropes. Evelyn Hugo is an assumed screen name, as was common for so many starlets of her time, who were reinvented for the silver-screen. Reading the book I found myself imagining certain characters played by certain actors. Inventing your own fantasy cast for this would be a fun game for book clubs.
This is a story about a woman who is a Hollywood icon spanning a career of decades. She does what she can to get ahead, but doesn't have as much power or freedom as the men in her life. She does not have the freedom to be with the one she loves, and has to lie and cheat to get ahead, and craft an image for herself that denies her ethnicity and her true feelings.
When a young, up-and-coming journalist is shoulder tapped by 80 year old Evelyn, as the person she wants to write her story, we are left wondering why she would pick this specific person to pen the most intimate details of her life. Just as we start to feel something for this savvy superstar, she creates distance by insisting that she will be hated when the truth is out. So after all these secrets and confessions, what's the one big secret that she is holding close to her chest?
I'll admit that the blurb feels like it's going to be pretty blah, but the character interplay sells it. It takes a while to get into the real heart of the story, but once I was in it was an easy read. I did end up in tears for the last hour or more of the book... but that's the deal as you advance in years.. having to say goodbye to the faces you have come to love and be invested in. Revelations and twists are in there too.. which makes for some conflicted and evocative moments.
I'm just trying to think of what I can say. It is a much acclaimed book and and I quite like how it has an invented cast of "stars" who are easily understood through tropes. Evelyn Hugo is an assumed screen name, as was common for so many starlets of her time, who were reinvented for the silver-screen. Reading the book I found myself imagining certain characters played by certain actors. Inventing your own fantasy cast for this would be a fun game for book clubs.
This is a story about a woman who is a Hollywood icon spanning a career of decades. She does what she can to get ahead, but doesn't have as much power or freedom as the men in her life. She does not have the freedom to be with the one she loves, and has to lie and cheat to get ahead, and craft an image for herself that denies her ethnicity and her true feelings.
When a young, up-and-coming journalist is shoulder tapped by 80 year old Evelyn, as the person she wants to write her story, we are left wondering why she would pick this specific person to pen the most intimate details of her life. Just as we start to feel something for this savvy superstar, she creates distance by insisting that she will be hated when the truth is out. So after all these secrets and confessions, what's the one big secret that she is holding close to her chest?
I'll admit that the blurb feels like it's going to be pretty blah, but the character interplay sells it. It takes a while to get into the real heart of the story, but once I was in it was an easy read. I did end up in tears for the last hour or more of the book... but that's the deal as you advance in years.. having to say goodbye to the faces you have come to love and be invested in. Revelations and twists are in there too.. which makes for some conflicted and evocative moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Car accident, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Violence, Alcoholism, Abortion, Blood, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage and Biphobia