Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

3 stars. Well, I think I can see why people loved this so much. It's full of Stuff That People Like. Old Hollywood glamour, scandals, a peek behind the curtain, a plucky journalist, dialogue that sounds more like written word, true love, melodrama, plus complicated, sexual women, and a plot that gets wrapped up with a neat little bow.

It's about Monique, a young journalist trying to find her stride after her husband's departure. She is shocked to discover that Evelyn Hugo, screen legend, has decided to give her her life story in pursuit of an honest biography. Evelyn has been in the public eye since the 50's, and has a string of scandals to prove it. But Monique very quickly realizes that there's much more to Evelyn than her persona implies, and the two women slowly connect over the power of love, and the power of truth.

The problem is, although it's not really a problem necessarily, is that this is a book full of Stuff That People Like, which is not Stuff That Kelly Likes.

I like Old Hollywood glamour, and complicated, sexual women, and I absolutely, wholeheartedly stand by the messaging here. This is a piece of good writing. Really good writing. Taylor Jenkins Reid has articulated so many things I believe: that love is complicated, that life is short, that people aren't black or white, that divorce is sometimes a win, that forgiveness is hard but crucial.

But look, it just didn't do it for me. I dislike predictability, and true love, and neatly packaged plotlines. I completely respect the writing, but I couldn't get totally into it. It wasn't really tangy or thought-provoking enough for me. Evelyn Hugo is a fascinating character, but at times she almost seemed ... messiah-adjacent, or something.

My goodness, people have written words and words and words on this book. I really do recommend it - three stars means I liked it! I basically read it in one sitting and any "faults" I find are my own, not the author's. It just didn't hit totally home for me. Hope that's cool.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Call Me By Your Name

3 stars. This book lands squarely in the middle for me. Andre Aciman is talented, no doubt about that. He can paint a pretty picture, he refreshingly avoids cliches, he makes things feel inevitable and unexpected at the same time. He captures moments in time with great care and thoughtful word choice. His phrasing is lyrical, lush, at times very dreamy and atmospheric. Yes, the p word (pretentious) crossed my mind, but I admit that I was caught up in the story and the first world problems and this beautiful, painful romance.

Call Me By Your Name, for those who somehow don't know at this point, is about a 17-year-old boy named Elio who falls deeply in lust with a 24-year-old summer guest in Italy. Oliver and Elio circle and circle and circle before crashing together in incredibly intimate ways. I don't think it's a spoiler, really, to convey that you shouldn't expect a happily-ever-after. Oliver and Elio were always meant to part ways and so they spend their time accordingly. As the novel draws to a close, Aciman revisits them 20 years later and - as always, through Elio's perspective - examines their romance through time and place and memory and fear and shame and hope.

There are many who say they relate to Elio and his obsession. I would count myself among them. Aciman captures perfectly what it means to desire another - to long for them, fantasize about them, take note of their every move and savor every moment in their presence. There are many who say this is unhealthy, or unheard of. What perhaps upsets me is that Elio's obsession was reciprocated in a way that was both hopeful and tragically sad. He experienced mutual infatuation, and lost it. For me, it is both a fantasy and a nightmare - I want it to be true, but I don't want to believe it, and if I believe it for a second, the sadness is unbearable.

It's a testament to Aciman's writing, of course, and his ability to craft an emotional story. But honestly, I didn't find myself racing to pick this up again. I understand that the prose was polarizing for most - I found things to like and hate about it - but ultimately it was a bit much for me. And while I'm sure this was partly the intention - partly the point - I felt like I was drowning, occasionally, in hormones. Been there, done that. Of course I rooted for Elio and Oliver and of course I don't mind an unhappy ending, but something about this ... perhaps my REACTION to it ... felt like a 3-star reaction.

I'm afraid this review doesn't make much sense, and won't serve as a helpful resource for potential readers. But it's what I feel, at this time. I think you have to be in the right mood for Call Me By Your Name - for something slow and ethereal and weepy. I admire and appreciate its beauty but I don't feel fulfilled. I do, however, want to go to Italy immediately.

Call Me By Your Name on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Katherine

2 stars. My first DNF here at Kelly Book Stuff. DNFs are so, so rare for me that I barely know what to do with myself. The process that leads up to deciding not to finish a book is so agonizing for me, but sometimes it must be done. Here, it's simply an example of "great book, not for me." The writing is admirable, and clearly a lot of research went into this very detailed and very in-depth story. But it wasn't for me. 

Katherine tells the tale of Lady Katherine Swynford, a historical figure known as the mistress and eventual wife of John of Gaunt. It chronicles her early life, her first marriage, and her long love affair beneath a detailed tapestry of historical England and politics. At times it is a romance, at other times a political drama, sometimes a simple record of what went down back then. It is a rich and comprehensive portrait of what life was like when she lived.

And what an extraordinary life she lived! I'm so glad this book exists if only to bring Katherine to life and tell her story. Women - good women, bad women, right women, wrong women, ALL women - should not be overlooked. We must dedicate pages to them and honor their roles, both big and small, in history. 

But Katherine, for me, lacked forward momentum. It lacked a certain spark that kept me from turning pages. It also didn't feel real, at all. The author dances around some issues and it didn't sit well with me. She paints Katherine in a very flattering light that doesn't really reflect enough ... complexity. The romance was too sentimental, too swoon-worthy, and seriouslyyyyy idealistic. Look, to misquote Carmen Electra from an interview I saw with her once, sometimes people fuck and still want to talk to each other afterwards. It's actually that simple.

I've noticed that a lot of these detailed historical romances are long. Way too long, in my opinion. I absolutely love history and love watching it come to life, but this could've really benefited from serious editing. I also noticed that there is some outdated content that likely would not have gone over well in a modern publication. There's a lot of fat-shaming.

I can see why it's a classic, though. I certainly learned from it and might return one day to finish the last 25%. I loved Chaucer and the details about the food and holidays and traditions from that time period. Great book, for sure, but not for me (to finish).

Katherine on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: Tulip Fever

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

3 stars. The experience of reading Tulip Fever reminded me so much of wandering through a curated exhibit. Each chapter starts with a referential quote, chosen perfectly to provide context, ambiance and a backdrop for the action to follow. Scenes are set in still life, as though each act is a painting and we are reading its description. The writing is absolutely gorgeous - delicate and sensual and thoughtful.

This is a quick, deceptively heavy read that will appeal to lovers of art and all things visually beautiful. There is some truly great character-building here and despite the simple plot, there are many underlying themes to explore. I'm fascinated by tulip fever and Dutch history and art history and other things on which this book offered a new perspective. And I applaud Deborah Moggach for proving what a pro she truly is.

Didn't totally hit the spot for me though: the plot is completely predictable, frustratingly so, and I just kind of didn't enjoy, on a very basic level, intensely emotional people doing intensely stupid things. So melodramatic! But the climax made me sit up and pay attention - it is misery on a different, twisted level. I admired that and found myself invested. SPOILER: When the singularly most important, crucial object in the book got eaten, I couldn't decide whether to laugh, clap or yell WTF at how simply ridiculous that was.

So here we are, at three stars, my way of saying good not great. Or maybe: there are great aspects but most of it is just okay. Or maybe: I didn't hate it. Ahh, three stars, a tricky place to land. I don't regret reading it. Can we leave it at that?

Tulip Fever on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: Fingersmith

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. I called Sarah Waters' book The Paying Guests "a thriller of the heart, or something." I also noted that "it's quite simply about people - good people, decent people, admirable people - who do something wrong." I also didn't see the validity of a comparison with Dickens as, in my opinion, it went "deep instead of wide."

Fingersmith, though, is so Dickensian it hurts. There are twists and turns and many, many fleshed out characters and the implausible nature of the plot is forgiven because the moments feel so real. Waters' characteristic melodrama oozes from the pages, and I truly don't know how she manages to thicken it without ruining the flavor. She is truly a queen.

It's also exhausting to read. I have to admit I did NOT predict the first twist (I know!) and had to take a break to digest a bit. And then our main characters ended up trapped in horrible situations for most of the rest of the book. I enjoyed the clearly-researched details and the depth, but it was perhaps slightly too long. The writing is also a little quirky - full of blushes and "Oh!" 's.

Sarah Waters though, my god. I bow down. Another "thriller of the heart," for sure. She's incredible and I can't wait to read The Little Strangers, next on my list.

Fingersmith on: Amazon | Goodreads