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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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds, Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.… (more)
Monique Grant, a very junior writer on staff at a lifestyle magazine, is amazed when Evelyn Hugo requests to be interviewed by her. Evelyn was one of the hottest movie stars in past decades, known for her exquisite figure and the daring movie roles she played, and for marrying seven times. Now, she wants to write a tell-all memoir -- or, rather, she wants Monique to write it. As far as Monique knows, she has no connection to the star, and her writing credits, though exhibiting a strong style, are few. But she's intrigued by the story, as well as the money she stands to make...
I enjoyed this book fairly well, though I didn't like it as much as Daisy Jones and the Six. I guessed one of the big twists at the ending, though the others caught me by surprise. The characters were complex and the story held my interest, though there were times when it wasn't moving very fast. I can see both why it is popular, and why some people might not enjoy it. If you're intrigued by the premise, give it a try. ( )
Film legend and '60s It girl Evelyn Hugo has just announced that she will auction off 12 other most memorable gowns through Christie's to raise money for breast cancer research.
Quotations
“… When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. …”
I think the difference between an actress and a star is that the star feels comfortable being the very thing the world wants her to be.
Intimacy is impossible without trust. And we would have been idiots to trust one another.
But the truth is, praise is just like an addiction. The more you get it, the more of it you need just to stay even.
You know the key to impulsivity is believing you are invincible. No one goes around throwing caution to the wind unless the wind is blowing their way.
… you can’t tell a single thing about a person’s true character if you both want the same thing. That’s like a dog and a cat getting along because they both want to kill the mouse.
When you dig just the tiniest bit beneath the surface, everyone’s love life is original and interesting and nuanced and defies any easy definition.
Last words
"No," she told me. "Because they are just husbands. I am Evelyn Hugo. And anyway, I think once people know the truth, they will be much more interested in my wife.”
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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds, Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways.
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Book description
Egy szédítő hollywoodi karrier. Egy mélyen eltemetett titok. A legendás, de teljes visszavonultságban élő világsztár, Evelyn Hugo évtizedek óta először hajlandó interjút adni. A döntésénél már csak a választása meglepőbb: ragaszkodik egy fiatal, ismeretlen újságírónőhöz, Monique Granthoz. Miért pont neki jut ez az álomlehetőség?
Aztán Evelyn emeli a tétet. Mert a szimpla sztárinterjú helyett sokkal többet ajánl. Mindent. A teljes igazságot csillogóan botrányos életéről. Semmit sem szépítve és semmit sem elhallgatva.
Ahogy elkezdődik a munka, az újságírónő nemsokára sejteni kezdi: valamilyen módon összefonódik saját sorsa és Evelyn múltja. Ám ennek a titoknak nagy ára van.
Szerelmek, végzetek, barátságok és árulások, aztán egy elképesztő csavar – ez a szenvedély és az életbölcsesség letehetetlen regénye.
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3
I enjoyed this book fairly well, though I didn't like it as much as Daisy Jones and the Six. I guessed one of the big twists at the ending, though the others caught me by surprise. The characters were complex and the story held my interest, though there were times when it wasn't moving very fast. I can see both why it is popular, and why some people might not enjoy it. If you're intrigued by the premise, give it a try. (