Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Los siete maridos de Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

54 reviews

the_harlequin's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-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

3.0


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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

An utter, earth-shattering masterpiece. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is both a stripped-down version of the bitter reality of Hollywood through the decades, and a glamorous tribute to unequivocal love and loss.

It’s quite shocking that it took me so long to read this, though I suspect a lot of it had to do with the fact that I had such high hopes and had heard so much unadulterated praise. Ever the pessimist, I was afraid it would disappoint me.

I’m VERY GLAD to report, that it did not disappoint me at all, and actually was much more than I hoped for. An incredible epic of a story-within-a-story, a biographical account of a fictional starlet with many marriages and headlines, but only one true love kept secret for most of her life.

I love TJR’s writing, her layered and complicated story building eclipsed only by the bold and complex characters she creates. Evelyn isn’t supposed to be someone you just love, but she is someone you absolutely root for, despite all her flaws. Because there’s Celia, the truth behind it all. (And Harry, whom I adored so much.) 

One of the best novels I’ve ever read that accurately tackles the duality of humanity and fame, with a central focus on the LGBTQ+ community. Phenomenal.

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katiea714's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-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? Yes

5.0


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jmkendall0218's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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


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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 13, 2017

T H R E E • W O R D S

Intimate • Captivating • Complex

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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.

💭 T H O U G H T S

It's safe to say I was (extremely) late to the game when it comes to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It's also safe to say the hype is legit with this one. To be honest, I didn't exactly know what I had been expecting from the synopsis, yet what I got was so much more than I could have imagined.

Beautifully written in a distinct manner, TRJ captures the essence of old Hollywood perfectly - the glitz, the glamour, the sex, the drugs, the drama. There is a cinematic undertone running through the entire narrative. It is a story of loves lost and loves found. Of sacrifice and regrets. Of loyalty and betrayal. It includes incredible characterization of sexuality, soulmates, and friendship. The intimacy with which the story is delivered is so mesmerizing and unique.

And then there is Evelyn! Her character is one for the ages. She was complex and flawed, with an edge to her. Although I didn't always like her, I couldn't help but root for her. Her story was so compelling, and I wanted to savour the pages, yet couldn't stop reading. The supporting cast is also top notch, each with their place in Evelyn's life.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the reason I read. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. I laughed. I cried. I ached. TJR pulled me into Evelyn's realm and hasn't let me go. It's a story so profound, exploring sexuality, intimacy, and soulmates unlike anything I've read before. It will be an easy choice for my end-of-the-year favourites list, and has found a home on my all-time favourites shelf. It is also safe to say this will be my favourite book from this author, and I will continue to pick up everything she writes.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like complex, distinct characters
• TRJ devotees
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be read 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."

"People are messy, and love can be ugly. I’m inclined to always err on the side of compassion."

"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me' - that's intimacy." 

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ka_ke's review against another edition

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

2.0

It gives very hetero woman writes sapphic tragedy energy. While historically accurate and sensitive, Taylor Jenkins Reid does not provide insight to the beauty of an LGBTQIA relationship. The whole book is just kind of one note. 

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lilycakes's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The way I'm literally sobbing right now-- 
This book was an incredible story about choosing love. I wish I could hug my family and loved ones tight right now, after finishing this book. I could not put it down, and man, did it gut me. 

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inthemoonforcheese's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0


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strawberrycrocs's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

5.0


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booksbyantheia's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

No sé por dónde empezar. Creo que incluso teniendo el orden cronológico de las memorias de Evelyn, todo lo que sentí, todo lo que siento ahora está desparramado por el lugar, saltando de un lado a otro de la balanza. Pero, como también diría Evelyn, es tiempo de la verdad. Probablemente, esta sea de las reseñas editadas a posterioridad; ahora solo busco poner en palabras el nudo en la cabeza y en el corazón que me dejó este libro.

Evelyn Hugo es real. No exclusivamente "Evelyn Hugo" como ícono, sino Evelyn, Evelyn Herrera como personaje, como persona. Es palpable, es gris, es humana. Leerla en sus palabras fue un paseo de elegancia, dolor, honestidad a la vez que mentiras. Y opino que eso la hace aún más destacable; no su físico a pesar de ser remarcado tanto, sino ELLA. Fueron pocas las veces en que pensé en su apariencia, o que la visualicé: simplemente estaba dentro de su mente, yo me movía con ella, como una voyeur, como un espíritu en su mente. La compadecí más de lo que merecía, y la juzgué por más cosas de las necesarias. Tal y como dijo Monique, ella existe en ángulos opuestos. Evelyn Hugo es la desesperación por la libertad, estando en el sitio donde más personas podrían considerarse plenas. 
Y no es solo a causa de su bisexualidad, no es solo a causa de Celia, es por ella misma.
Ella tenía que demostrarse algo, y eso era, que podía hacer lo que quisiera, cuando quisiera. 
Fuera amar a una mujer, fuera irse del país, fuera ganar una estatuilla.
  Su astucia, su sensibilidad y su carácter son únicos. Dudo poder olvidarla, estoy segura de que no voy a poder olvidarla.

Maridos: los únicos relevantes fueron Rex y Harry. Sí, incluso Don queda muy opacado a pesar de ser una mierda. Es cómico cómo visualicé a los únicos hombres a los que Evelyn amó como los menos mencionables. Del otro lado, los que prácticamente no estuvieron con ella de verdad se volvieron muy importantes para mí. Fueron los que le tendieron la mano a Evelyn. Sin mencionar lo que Harry simbolizó para ella. Le dieron una vuelta completa al significado de amor, fidelidad, al concepto de lo que es ser un alma gemela. Y adoro que ninguno de esos tres conceptos tenga que ver con el romance.

Celia: a ver. Celia tiene miles de puntos brillantes, pero incluso con los ojos de amor de Evelyn, no pude evitar sentir que ciertas veces no era necesario justificar sus mierdas. Monique dijo que fue cruel, y Evelyn la defendió, pero la periodista tuvo razón: ciertos caprichos de ella llegaban lejos. Aun así, su amor, su deseo, fueron hermosos para mí. La fidelidad de su corazón también lo fue. Evelyn tenía cada motivo para amarla, porque era su igual, eran dos mujeres intentando más de lo que parecía posible. Me encantó como para ella el sexo entre ellas simbolizaba tanto, siendo lesbiana, con un concepto de intimidad totalmente diferente a Evelyn: por eso me sorprendió levemente ver que no aceptaba la escena de Evelyn con Don, y también su decisión de irse. No debería, de todos modos, porque era bastante evidente su posesividad sobre Evelyn. Sin embargo, lo que REALMENTE me molestó de Celia, el lado oscuro de su personalidad que creo que ni siquiera Evelyn quería aceptar, es lo increíblemente parecida a un HOMBRE que eran sus rabietas. ¿Llamarla puta, un par de tetas, querer estar con una bomba y no con una madre, negar su identidad durante tanto tiempo? Harry dijo "los hombres ponen...", pero quien había insultado a Evelyn no era un varón, era Celia. Ambas tenían mucho machismo interiorizado, y como Evelyn no lo pensaba desde el punto de Celia, inmediatamente eso la rebajaba a ojos de la pelirroja. No sé si puedo echarle la culpa a TJR por eso, considero que ni ella se dio cuenta de la curiosa paradoja que estaba pintando, pero me pareció, cuanto menos, delicado que su defecto más grande fuera eso.
 

En fin. Este libro atrajo demasiados sentimientos en mí. Ese plot twist estaba en las manos del lector, por lo que siento que una persona más interesada en las líneas de la trama podría haberlo visto venir. Yo no pude. Estaba demasiado ocupada, sintiendo sus emociones en la carne, incluso sin poder "identificarme" en ellos, sin poder verme en ellos... Estaba visualizando vida ante mis ojos.

Vida que Evelyn Hugo vivió.

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