BOOK REVIEW

BILL McCARTHY REVIEWER Bill McCarthy has been travelling and was unable to review this book. However, given the title and subject matter he has reported, with his usual acerbic observation, that it was most likely a blessing.

SUZI HIRST The first chapters of this book had me wondering if it would be something along the lines of a Barbara Cartland or Joan Collins – a predictable Hollywood film star romance novel.

As it transpired, the book is well written and the characters that each chapter (husband) portrays are well characterised and believable.

Evelyn Hugo’s story from Hell’s Kitchen to Hollywood and fame keeps you turning the pages. She is many characters – lover, flawed, a trusted loyal best friend to a few, and an incredible mother.

And although I knew there had to be a twist, it was not what I expected. Taylor Jenkins Reid has written the perfect book to immerse yourself in while sitting on a beach; not sure what the men will think though! 7/10

JAN KENT THIS is a very readable book which had me enthralled from the start right through to the many twists in the last few chapters. The two women through whom the story is told could not be more different. The simple and naive Monique has been selected to write the memoirs of Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo. Navigating the cut-throat world that she claws her way into, with beauty as her main weapon, Evelyn rides a roller-coaster of loves and disappointments that you can’t help but find engaging.

The relationship between the two develops artfully throughout the book, until the revelation of their real connection.

The author cleverly uses excerpts from magazine and news articles to give context to the changes occurring as Evelyn passes through each husband and phase in her life.

I surprised myself by how much I loved this peek into the shallow world of Hollywood to find real characters you couldn’t help but become emotionally attached to.

THE SEVEN THESEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO By Taylor Jenkins Reid

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. Little known magazine reporter Monique Grant is astounded when she is chosen for the job and is determined to use the opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens to the actor’s story, from Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave showbusiness in the ‘80s. With seven husbands along the way, Evelyn’s tale is of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a real connection. It then becomes clear their lives intersect. TONY HARRINGTON I didn’t want to read this book about a glamorous, legendary movie star and the machinations of her seven marriages. However, once I began, I found the story entertaining and so engaging I couldn’t put it down.

The author gives great insights to movie personalities, their charm and charisma, their sensuality, sexuality and what it was like to be gay during the 1960-‘80s. Homosexual and bisexual love are treated with a tender and caring narrative.

The main characters are well drawn and like human nature, have their strengths and weaknesses. There are a few twists tying loose elements of the story together at the end.

This well-written book won’t disappoint. 8/10

JOHN KLEINSCHMIDT THIS fictional biography of Evelyn Hugo, a beautiful woman, is a fast-paced, fun novel that reveals all the good and the bad about Evelyn and her seven husbands. Evelyn, an enigmatic character, does everything for a reason including choosing Monique (a journalist) to write her story. I liked how the book was structured into interviews about each husband allowing the author to explore the role of women in marriage, the sexualisation of actresses, beauty and ageing and the demonstration of ambition.

Reminiscent of the “Me Too” phenomenon, the story is believable for readers who have lived through the glamour years of Hollywood and movie stars such as Elizabeth Taylor. It has many twists and turns and a not completely predictable ending. JO BOURKE PERHAPS readers are divided into two groups? One group, all ages, eagerly devour gossip magazines and news releases detailing the exploits, actual and contrived, of those in the public eye. The other group, to which I belong, couldn’t care less and are never likely to change. However not having lived under a rock, even I realised that Evelyn Hugo was in fact Elizabeth Taylor and a Google search not only confirmed it but also mentioned forbidden relationships between her and other celebrities.

Surprisingly, I found the story well researched and told with sympathy, with an unexpected twist in the connection between the journalist and Evelyn’s past. It was an easy read and led me to some understanding of what our top actors go through as they deal with the loss of privacy and non-stop pressure to perform and improve.

This was the author’s first foray into historical fiction out of her nine novels. I am very tempted to read her earlier novels as a comparison when time permits.

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