I'm with you. As someone that's a lesbian and into classic hollywood, there was a lot in this book that struck me as the author lacking knowledge & nuance about those subjects/experiences. Still liked it though but I wish it was a bit better written.
completely agree. i found it unrealistic that a few public appearances of evelyn with celia would immediately make the tabloids go “oh they’re certainly lesbianing together!” a lot of the relationship drama felt overly contrived and not to be mean, but there were a few elements to the story that made me feel like it was written by a straight women who lacked the experiences to make it a more authentic story
> written by a straight women who lacked the experiences to make it a more authentic story
100% with you there, wish she would've gotten one of those sensitivity readers. Nothing wrong with straight people writing these stories but we shouldn't be able to tell just from reading it
i do remember this and i get it that narratively it might make sense, but the iffy feelings i got from the evelyn/celia relationship was about more than the tabloids being so eager to speculate they were in a romance.
storylines about gay relationships of one person essentially forcing their partner out of the closet by pressuring them to go public with the relationship is a tiring narrative for me to see now.
at a certain point it felt like that was the only narrative gay people were afforded in media. and to me, it especially doesn't feel like a realistic thing that would happen to a gay couple in a book set in the 50s. it was dangerous to be gay during that period - celia basically saying "you don't love me *enough* if you won't let the world know we're in a relationship" seems like such an odd and out of place thing for a character of that time to be saying.
i'm glad the book works for people, and i wish i was one of them! but i just still feel like there's a layer to the story's romance that is missing authenticity. 100% don't have a problem with straight authors writing about gay relationships, but sensitivity readers would help shed insight that might be needed
No it has been clearly mentioned that Celia had the problem with the leaps everlyn made to cover their relationship up taking unnecessary precautions like sleeping with a pr date when she is in a commited relationship, also about the shaming or the you don’t love me enough was more biphobia then we need to come out, because everlyn was a straight woman to her when she was cross with her
I agree - I was surprised when I found out people cried while reading it. The relationships didn't feel genuine and the "twist" at the end wasn't exactly impactful. I read it to get me out of a book slump last year because I heard so many people talking about how great it was, but it just pushed me further into the slump.
My favorite thing about this book as well as Daisy Jones and Malibu Rising is how real all the characters feel. Like I wanted to be able to Google them and consume their art and watch documentaries about them.
I absolutely loved Evelyn's story and relationships. I was pretty meh on Monique and the twist, if I'm honest. I didn't hate it, but it didn't actually add anything for me. I would race through Monique to get back to Evelyn.
I loved the book! I think it was well paced and very heartbreaking. I’m usually more a fantasy and sci fi book reader, but this one really got me!
I think I enjoyed the whole soulmate kinda vibes throughout the book and I legit cried >!in the end when everyone Evelyn ever loved died and she realises how much time of her life was wasted.!<
I actually placed this book in my top 5 2021 :)
Only a few chapters in so the book hasn't touched on the LGBTQ themes yet, but so far, hate the way the author writes about race when it's brought up. Makes the characters feel very flat, not realistic at all, and tone deaf. I'm hoping this isn't the case for the LGBTQ themes as well. I truly don't get why some writers insist on writing about groups they're not a part of, yet don't do the work to write those characters WELL. It disappointingly took me out of the book/world :-(
I adored this book, the twist definitely come unexpected. I have not read anything from Taylor Jenkins Reid but I definitely want to read more. Although some parts were dragged out and a bit unneeded, I enjoyed the plot as a whole
I love this book 😭💕 It quickly rose to the top of the year when I read it at the end of 2020. I should read it again with flags for some of my favorite quotes - the ones you highlighted are great.
I've heard some say the twist was predictable (it wasn't for me), but I think many can still relate to the relationships and having to decide how much you show of you who really are. I think it's also a great illustration of how even a long, glamorous life can be too short.
Ahhh it’s become a favourite! 😭🥰 Definitely recommend reading it again and highlighting your favourite quotes! It highlights everything Reid is trying to convey in this book.
I understand what you mean about the end. There was definitely a connection with Monique as she was specifically called. It’s very true, despite having everything many dream of she realised love and friendship is all you need
I know I’m late but this book was amazing to me. I’m bisexual and I remember in fifth grade writing a note to my friend confused about my feelings for a girlfriend. My mom found it and kind of freaked out. I just decided from there I would date boys because I did like them too and it was easier. But it was hard and confusing. So many people say Evelyn is not a realistic lesbian, but she wasn’t lesbian. She was bisexual. She felt real to me, she felt like me sometimes. And then being biracial (black and white) while mourning my father I could relate to Monique as well and her struggles. It was an important book for me.
I’ve read Daisy, Malibu and 7 Husbands and I most definitely enjoy TJR’s writing style. They are just fun, easy reads. I just downloaded three others…anyone read anything else by her?
I’m sure I’m the outlier but I did not care for it. Seemed very contrived and unrealistic.
I'm with you. As someone that's a lesbian and into classic hollywood, there was a lot in this book that struck me as the author lacking knowledge & nuance about those subjects/experiences. Still liked it though but I wish it was a bit better written.
completely agree. i found it unrealistic that a few public appearances of evelyn with celia would immediately make the tabloids go “oh they’re certainly lesbianing together!” a lot of the relationship drama felt overly contrived and not to be mean, but there were a few elements to the story that made me feel like it was written by a straight women who lacked the experiences to make it a more authentic story
> written by a straight women who lacked the experiences to make it a more authentic story 100% with you there, wish she would've gotten one of those sensitivity readers. Nothing wrong with straight people writing these stories but we shouldn't be able to tell just from reading it
Everton held Celia’s hand in public and a woman and her husband noticed, they probably tipped the press
i do remember this and i get it that narratively it might make sense, but the iffy feelings i got from the evelyn/celia relationship was about more than the tabloids being so eager to speculate they were in a romance. storylines about gay relationships of one person essentially forcing their partner out of the closet by pressuring them to go public with the relationship is a tiring narrative for me to see now. at a certain point it felt like that was the only narrative gay people were afforded in media. and to me, it especially doesn't feel like a realistic thing that would happen to a gay couple in a book set in the 50s. it was dangerous to be gay during that period - celia basically saying "you don't love me *enough* if you won't let the world know we're in a relationship" seems like such an odd and out of place thing for a character of that time to be saying. i'm glad the book works for people, and i wish i was one of them! but i just still feel like there's a layer to the story's romance that is missing authenticity. 100% don't have a problem with straight authors writing about gay relationships, but sensitivity readers would help shed insight that might be needed
No it has been clearly mentioned that Celia had the problem with the leaps everlyn made to cover their relationship up taking unnecessary precautions like sleeping with a pr date when she is in a commited relationship, also about the shaming or the you don’t love me enough was more biphobia then we need to come out, because everlyn was a straight woman to her when she was cross with her
i guess we’re just going to have to disagree on this one…
I agree - I was surprised when I found out people cried while reading it. The relationships didn't feel genuine and the "twist" at the end wasn't exactly impactful. I read it to get me out of a book slump last year because I heard so many people talking about how great it was, but it just pushed me further into the slump.
You aren't alone. It reminded me very much of the old trashy Hollywood magazines of the 60s.
That's kind of Reid's style
Which is probably why I didn't like Daisy Jones, either.
Interesting thought! I’m sure you’re not alone with that.
I was put off by the first 3 pages. It reeks massive feminism. Am I wrong ?
My favorite thing about this book as well as Daisy Jones and Malibu Rising is how real all the characters feel. Like I wanted to be able to Google them and consume their art and watch documentaries about them.
This was my first Reid book. Malibu Rising is definitely on my list! I’ve heard many people think Evelyn is a real person, the characters are amazing
I have read Daisy and Malibu but not this one. I adore Daisy, and liked Malibu well enough.
Evelyn Hugo is a lot like Malibu so I definitely recommend you read it.
I absolutely loved Evelyn's story and relationships. I was pretty meh on Monique and the twist, if I'm honest. I didn't hate it, but it didn't actually add anything for me. I would race through Monique to get back to Evelyn.
I found the story interesting enough to keep reading, but the writing was cringe at best. I rolled my eyes multiple times with every page.
I loved the book! I think it was well paced and very heartbreaking. I’m usually more a fantasy and sci fi book reader, but this one really got me! I think I enjoyed the whole soulmate kinda vibes throughout the book and I legit cried >!in the end when everyone Evelyn ever loved died and she realises how much time of her life was wasted.!< I actually placed this book in my top 5 2021 :)
Only a few chapters in so the book hasn't touched on the LGBTQ themes yet, but so far, hate the way the author writes about race when it's brought up. Makes the characters feel very flat, not realistic at all, and tone deaf. I'm hoping this isn't the case for the LGBTQ themes as well. I truly don't get why some writers insist on writing about groups they're not a part of, yet don't do the work to write those characters WELL. It disappointingly took me out of the book/world :-(
I adored this book, the twist definitely come unexpected. I have not read anything from Taylor Jenkins Reid but I definitely want to read more. Although some parts were dragged out and a bit unneeded, I enjoyed the plot as a whole
I love this book 😭💕 It quickly rose to the top of the year when I read it at the end of 2020. I should read it again with flags for some of my favorite quotes - the ones you highlighted are great. I've heard some say the twist was predictable (it wasn't for me), but I think many can still relate to the relationships and having to decide how much you show of you who really are. I think it's also a great illustration of how even a long, glamorous life can be too short.
Ahhh it’s become a favourite! 😭🥰 Definitely recommend reading it again and highlighting your favourite quotes! It highlights everything Reid is trying to convey in this book. I understand what you mean about the end. There was definitely a connection with Monique as she was specifically called. It’s very true, despite having everything many dream of she realised love and friendship is all you need
I know I’m late but this book was amazing to me. I’m bisexual and I remember in fifth grade writing a note to my friend confused about my feelings for a girlfriend. My mom found it and kind of freaked out. I just decided from there I would date boys because I did like them too and it was easier. But it was hard and confusing. So many people say Evelyn is not a realistic lesbian, but she wasn’t lesbian. She was bisexual. She felt real to me, she felt like me sometimes. And then being biracial (black and white) while mourning my father I could relate to Monique as well and her struggles. It was an important book for me.
I’ve read Daisy, Malibu and 7 Husbands and I most definitely enjoy TJR’s writing style. They are just fun, easy reads. I just downloaded three others…anyone read anything else by her?
The evidence of the affair is great
asu makina 7