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A review by theespressoedition
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
I listened to the audiobook for Daisy Jones & The Six last year and was absolutely blown away. Not only has that taken the spot of my favorite audiobook ever, but it was also a brilliant story (review can be found here). I knew I wanted to listen to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to compare and contrast the author's work along with the audiobook quality. So, here we go.
This story was incredible. From the moment I began listening until the last few moments, I was on the edge of my seat. Reid clearly knows how to write a furiously intoxicating leading lady. Although, I can't be sure I'd even give the title of "lady" to Evelyn Hugo. She was monstrous in so many ways, but she admits to that early on, without any regrets. Or so it seems.
I believe that Evelyn had many regrets though she refused to acknowledge them. She carried them like dead weight inside of her until she practically boiled over, hiring Monique to write her whole life into a really entertaining and potentially unflattering memoir. We learn some terrible secrets about Evelyn in the later chapters of the book. Secrets that had me literally gasping with shock and turning to anybody I could to scream, "THAT PLOT TWIST!"
Was this book better than Daisy Jones? That was the question I was asked many times upon finishing it. I can't be certain of the answer. It held similar elements of drama, lust, spite, and betrayal. It was definitely different enough to be on its own plane of existence, however. I have given it a five-star rating, just as I did for Daisy Jones. If you're curious which is better, I'd just say to read them both yourself, but don't be surprised if you feel the same way as I do: that they're both INCREDIBLE but very different from each other. Oh - and they'll make your head spin.
Side note about the narration: it didn't have a full cast as Daisy Jones did, but it didn't need one. There weren't nearly as many POVs to follow, so I think it was well done, but not quite as epic of a performance.
[CW: suicide, substance abuse, drug use, infidelity, abusive relationships]
This story was incredible. From the moment I began listening until the last few moments, I was on the edge of my seat. Reid clearly knows how to write a furiously intoxicating leading lady. Although, I can't be sure I'd even give the title of "lady" to Evelyn Hugo. She was monstrous in so many ways, but she admits to that early on, without any regrets. Or so it seems.
I believe that Evelyn had many regrets though she refused to acknowledge them. She carried them like dead weight inside of her until she practically boiled over, hiring Monique to write her whole life into a really entertaining and potentially unflattering memoir. We learn some terrible secrets about Evelyn in the later chapters of the book. Secrets that had me literally gasping with shock and turning to anybody I could to scream, "THAT PLOT TWIST!"
Was this book better than Daisy Jones? That was the question I was asked many times upon finishing it. I can't be certain of the answer. It held similar elements of drama, lust, spite, and betrayal. It was definitely different enough to be on its own plane of existence, however. I have given it a five-star rating, just as I did for Daisy Jones. If you're curious which is better, I'd just say to read them both yourself, but don't be surprised if you feel the same way as I do: that they're both INCREDIBLE but very different from each other. Oh - and they'll make your head spin.
Side note about the narration: it didn't have a full cast as Daisy Jones did, but it didn't need one. There weren't nearly as many POVs to follow, so I think it was well done, but not quite as epic of a performance.
[CW: suicide, substance abuse, drug use, infidelity, abusive relationships]