Synopsis
"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" (Barnes and Noble).
Genre
Drama, Historical Fiction
Accolades
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
GoodRead's Choice Award
Book Of the Year Award
Review
The praise for this novel is very positive. There was one specific review that I saw that encapsulates the reviews best. The Globe and Mail called it "a cinematic tale with hardscrabble roots, staggering highs and sickening lows. "This one review sums up my experience with the novel very well. Firstly, I thought that the switch between Evelyn's life in the present and her life in the past was clear and concise. Not once did I have to wonder where I was nor what time period I was in. I wasn't confused which means that the writing was concrete. Secondly, the life of Evelyn was a REAL journey. Evelyn is a brown woman that speaks Cuban trying to make it in Hollywood. The struggle of Evelyn was felt and her emotional intake was realistic. The love Evelyn had towards people made her such a good narrator. She appealed to emotion and sometimes she appealed to logic. To see Evelyn's mindset throughout the novel was so personal to me as the reader. Additionally, Monique forming a connection with Evelyn was a relationship that pushed the plot forward. Monique was dealing with her own things and the fact that she found her similarities to an award winning Old Hollywood actress shows how rooted people can be towards one another. Monique an Evelyn live on two opposite ends of the economic spectrum, but.. opposites attract. Overall, this was a beautiful love and life story about growing up and times changing.
Rating/ Recommend
My rating for this novel is 5 out of 5 stars! I do recommend.
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