The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Book Review

It has been said that all that glitters is not gold. The same could be said about Hollywood.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid, was published back in 2017. Back in the day, Evelyn Hugo was an A list movie star. But her time in the spotlight has long since passed. After years of living quietly in the background, Evelyn is ready to tell her story. She chooses Monique Grant, a young writer to be her scribe.

Monique has a lot on her plate at the moment. Her marriage is all but over and her career is stuck in the mud. Though she is not entirely sure why she has been chosen, Monique seizes upon the opportunity that has been handed to her. Evelyn’s life story is full of ambition, forbidden love, and friendships that were unexpected. Along the way, Monique discovers that she and Evelyn are connected in ways that surprise them both.

Sometimes, stories about old Hollywood, whether they be fiction or non fiction, can veer off into two different voices. They can either be a tabloid-y tell all, or sound like comes straight out of the studio PR department. I really loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the narrative, and I loved the twist that was absolutely perfect.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

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Flashback Friday: The Secret Life of the Zoo (2016-Present)

When we go to the zoo, we only see the animals for a short time. Therefore the narrative we learn is different than the keepers, whose job it is to take care of the zoo’s inhabitants.

The Secret Life of the Zoo has aired on Animal Planet since 2016. Filmed at the Chester Zoo in England, the series was initially narrated by Olivia Coleman, who was then replaced by Tamsin Greig. The viewer is given a glimpse into the lives and actions of the animals when they are not in front of the public. On top of that, the employees give their perspective of what their working lives are like when they are tending to their charges.

I don’t watch this show often, but when I do, I find it to be interesting. I like going beyond the five or ten minutes that you usually spend with each animal or species. For me at least, I can appreciate and understand the work it takes for something that zoo visitor doesn’t normally consider.

Do I recommend it? Yes.