Date: January 27, 2023
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: historical fiction, romance
I first heard of this book as a suggestion by a recent phlebotomist of mine. Apparently, Mizz Taylor Jenkins Reid is making quite the name for herself because I heard whisperings of this book other places that I went around town as well. So, I picked it up as soon as I could and settled in to read what all the fuss is about.
Well done. The Crown on Netflix came to mind as I was reading this. Both narratives embellish upon the life of a well-known icon from the same time period, the 1950’s. Both show these icons as the true people behind the façade. One is obviously real, while the other is believable enough to have been real. Mizz Reid’s words spin a story of a Hollywood legend from back in the day when the phrase ‘talkies’ didn’t require a google search to understand the meaning.
Herein lay the dilemma for Miss Hugo: her sexual orientation. She wasn’t heterosexual and if exposed this would be viewed as a very serious offense. Nowadays public perspectives on these same issues have evolved with the times. Back then though? Certain things were only whispered of behind mittened hands and closed doors for fear of isolation from important people in their lives. To say it bluntly the consequences of being found out would be possible ostracizing and/or imprisonment, if not in a jail the local mental ward would find a bed.
This story is one that could stay with the reader for a while. I highly suggest picking up a copy of your own.