If you can’t read the book, just watch the movie.

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According to the Fangirl Fury Rules of Life (it’s a thing, trust me), one must always read the book before seeing its film adaptation. Okay, so this isn’t complete mandatory for everyone (I still have to get the Rules of Life copyrighted after all), but I always try to read the book before seeing the movie. And I’ve been thinking a lot about movies after reading Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

A very and well-deserved hyped book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the aging Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, as she tells her life story to a little known magazine reporter, Monique Grant. No one is more surprised than Monique herself, who is now tasked by Evelyn to write her biography. Sitting in the actress’s apartment every day, Monique listens to Evelyn talk about her past, from how she made her way to Hollywood in the 1950s through her decline in the 80s, of course including her infamous seven husbands and the forbidden love among them.

Evelyn stars in many films, including Little Women, one of my most memorable childhood reads and a go-to movie for me. It’s recently been added to Netflix, so you better believe I’ll be having many summer rewatches. Inspired by The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, today I’ll be discussing some of my favorite book to movie adaptations.

The Princess Diaries– Both The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement are among my all-time favorite movies. There among the few films from my childhood that I can watch time and time again without cringing. I read the first few books in Meg Cabot’s series during middle school and I’m interested in picking up the latest book, Royal Wedding, so I can return to Genovia.

 The Help– I read The Help for a school summer reading, and after loving it, I remember running to the library for its film adaptation. I think the film truly captures the message of the book and has such a phenomenal cast.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants– If I had to choose one book or series to represent my early teenage years, I would definitely choose The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I’d really like to make time for a series reread this summer, but if I don’t, I’ll watch the movies! Our four main actresses (Blake Lively, America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, and Amber Tamblyn) perfectly fit our four main characters and I just love the friendship and romance vibes in these films and books.

Catching Fire– My love for Catching Fire is a bit ironic, considering that the book is my ‘least favorite’ The Hunger Games Book, but my favorite film in the series. Panem really came to life in this movie, the sets and special effects were absolutely amazing. Even though I’m still have nightmares of those monkey creature things.

Love Simon– My most recent favorite, I am here to admit that I think I enjoyed Love Simon a teensy bit more than its inspiration, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I loved the cast and its A+ set design.

The Outsiders– Like many I’m sure, The Outsiders is one of the few movies that I’ve seen before reading the book. I grew up watching it, since it’s one of my dad’s favorite movies. It’s so much fun watching it now after seeing Rob Lowe in Parks and Recreation and then seeing a younger version of himself as Sodapop. I read The Outsiders in middle school, and as a reader who has a hit-or-miss relationship with classics, The Outsiders is one of my favorites.

 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Mini Review:

After enjoying Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves and After I Do last summer, I knew I had to pick her much-loved latest release. I went into The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo without knowing too much, other than that our main character has spent a lot of time walking down the aisle. I loved how the book is spilt between Monique’s every day life and Evelyn’s past, as Evelyn tells Monique her life story. Taylor Jenkins Reid did an excellent job managing the two, and as the title may suggest, we do spend more time in Evelyn’s past than Monique’s present.

Evelyn’s life is simply not captured through her seven husbands. We learn so much more about her career, her relationship(s) that necessarily weren’t marriages, and why she really got married each time. Evelyn is a very complex character, and I appreciated that Taylor Jenkins Reid makes the reader consider if we are to love or hate Evelyn, just like Monique. I figured that Monique would have some connection to Evelyn, but its reveal had my hand flying to my mouth as I screamed! Overall, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is worth the hype and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get an adaptation of its own one day.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

 What are some of your favorite book to movie adaptations? Have you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Share in the comments!