Summary:
Reclusive Hollywood 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 to write her story, no one is more astounded than Monique herself.
Determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career, Monique listens in fascination. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to leaving 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. But as Evelyn's story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.
My Thoughts:
Monique is stunned and excited to work on this project, and Evelyn reveals that she's not here to write an article - she wants her here to write an authorized biography to be published after her death. I really like the back and forth writing between the past and present. You get to hear Evelyn's nuanced thoughts about her life in retrospect and get to know Monique a bit better. Her story touches on the issues of racism, assault, and LGBT representation in Hollywood. While she married seven men over the years, her greatest love was a woman. She was a closeted bisexual who witnessed and secretly donated to the rising gay movements. The only gripe I had with the novel is the under characterization of Monique, who is technically the main character who we are supposed to care about. There is a twist at the end, and it didn't hit as hard as it should have. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend reading it.
My Rating: 4 stars
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