I loved Daisy Jones & the Six so I was excited to start on this book by the same author. Like Daisy Jones, this book has an interview format and moves back and forth between the past of Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo and the reporter Monique Grant. The story goes back and forth between the past and the present, which in the hands of a lesser author could be tricky but here feels seemless. Neither the reader nor the reporter know why she was chosen for this once in a lifetime interview but Evelyn promises all will be revealed. Evelyn’s story is so engrossing, you almost forget the twist is coming!
Ultimately this story is about the love of Evelyn Hugo’s life and her desire to tell her truth once and for all about her seven husbands, one daughter and one great love.Evelyn Hugo was born the daughter of Cuban immigrants and grew up in a poor Hell’s Kitchen of New York City. Her dream is to become an actress and she vows to do anything she has to in order to escape her past and make it in the business. Evelyn learns early on how to use her beauty and sexuality to ruthlessly get what she wants or at least thinks she wants. She ultimately becomes one of the world’s most sought after stars, while at the same time working her way through a Liz Taylor-eqsue seven husbands.
I was so engrossed in Evelyn’s story and I found myself tearing through those sections. I also found it very interesting to see how Monique evolved as a person throughout this process with Evelyn. She learned how to negotiate for what she wants and to see the truth in her own actions.
“Don’t ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box. Don’t do that.”
One of the resounding themes in this book is telling your truth and not letting others define you. I also enjoyed the scenes where the power of words, how they can hurt and heal, was on full display. Who among us hasn’t been haunted by something a loved one said in a moment of anger?
I stayed up late to finish this book and it was definitely worth it! I might even stay up rereading it again tonight…
