Tea
I can't tell you how many times that I've nearly DNF'ed this book. While the essence of the story was well done (and honestly one of the only reasons why I kept reading it) I couldn't get past our main character and the writing style. It took me what felt like two months to try and read this book, which only kept getting extended because I couldn't stand to read more than a couple pages before I had to close it and walk away. In my opinion, the beginning is slow but there's enough happening to keep me going, then the middle was numbingly slow, and honestly my favorite part of this book was the last like 50 pages where everything has happening. I like the retelling of several legends, the fact there was clearly immense effort that went into the book, the ambiance of the story was fun too, alongside the side characters appearing throughout. This is probably one of the few stories where I wish it wen through a few more rounds of revision to be a bit more story-like rather than telling the reader every. single. beat. and. thing. that. happened. I don't regret struggling to read this for over a month, but this definitely is going to be a book that will be donated and promptly forgotten. One thing that I've learned is that a good cast and plot cannot make up for writing quality that I don't vibe with.
I will second the previous reviews in that this combined multiple elements, the mystery was very slow to unfold (at times it felt almost too slow and as if there wasn't any clues for me to pick up on but that could be due to how long it took for me to read the book), and the main character was painstakingly human.
I can't tell you how many times that I've nearly DNF'ed this book. While the essence of the story was well done (and honestly one of the only reasons why I kept reading it) I couldn't get past our main character and the writing style. It took me what felt like two months to try and read this book, which only kept getting extended because I couldn't stand to read more than a couple pages before I had to close it and walk away. In my opinion, the beginning is slow but there's enough happening to keep me going, then the middle was numbingly slow, and honestly my favorite part of this book was the last like 50 pages where everything has happening. I like the retelling of several legends, the fact there was clearly immense effort that went into the book, the ambiance of the story was fun too, alongside the side characters appearing throughout. This is probably one of the few stories where I wish it wen through a few more rounds of revision to be a bit more story-like rather than telling the reader every. single. beat. and. thing. that. happened. I don't regret struggling to read this for over a month, but this definitely is going to be a book that will be donated and promptly forgotten. One thing that I've learned is that a good cast and plot cannot make up for writing quality that I don't vibe with.
I will second the previous reviews in that this combined multiple elements, the mystery was very slow to unfold (at times it felt almost too slow and as if there wasn't any clues for me to pick up on but that could be due to how long it took for me to read the book), and the main character was painstakingly human.
I will admit upfront, that this story isn’t my cup of tea. There were multiple things that could’ve been adjusted (all of which is personal taste preferences, not the fault of the author) however, I can see why countless really enjoy the book!
If I could say the prose was simply how everything was written, I hate to say that I might’ve rated the book lower. However, in a way, the prose becomes a plot device. It’s frank and leaves nothing behind to be minced or obscured. Surface level, it’s a fun read and with every page, every husband, it only illuminates more about Hugo’s life. From beginning to end, it’s easy to see how every moment has altered her and how she’ll approach future situations, how everything (within her control) will be manipulated and ensure her success in the end.
Diving deeper, the story changes it goes from a girl wanting to succeed her mother’s dream, to a young adult where she wants everything and what worked before quickly becomes boring, to someone where the weight of everything begins to splinter parts of herself and she finally decides to choose herself over pursuit of the next greatest thing.
This also could’ve been viewed as a story about insecurity and that no matter how much you exploit it, how well it remains hidden, it doesn’t go away with more fame/money/accolades. It hurts to think that despite everything Hugo still believes that a large part of her career is due to her appearance, due to her ability to incite sexual desire in everyone around her. That when she hits a wall, the same trick (just in a different font) will almost always get her through it and more.
The dry, no-nonsense, repetitive (in my opinion) writing style is crucial to this story working as well as it has. It isn’t simply a way the plot is delivered, instead it becomes a part of the plot. It provides further insight into Hugo’s mind, how she was feeling and thinking about the current situation. It can easily feel detached, it could easily be a couple hundred pages too long, however everything ended up in the right balance.
For waiting several years to read it (I watched a WithCindy review several years ago all of it forgotten but the impact still lives on), I am definitely walking away having learned a lot, with a lot to think on and several things to delve deeper into and potentially analyze at a later date.
For example, how Hugo managed to state everything as plainly as possible, but she still manages to be a mystery and how that simply is a part of herself that she can’t give up, that there might’ve been truth hidden in the truth that she doesn’t know exist or can confront just yet. Almost making the mystery of Hugo something that creates a sense of allure of the world towards her, but a defense mechanism (or sorts, that phrasing feels a bit too harsh or too niche to best describe what I’m thinking) for what has gone unsaid throughout the story.
I will admit upfront, that this story isn’t my cup of tea. There were multiple things that could’ve been adjusted (all of which is personal taste preferences, not the fault of the author) however, I can see why countless really enjoy the book!
If I could say the prose was simply how everything was written, I hate to say that I might’ve rated the book lower. However, in a way, the prose becomes a plot device. It’s frank and leaves nothing behind to be minced or obscured. Surface level, it’s a fun read and with every page, every husband, it only illuminates more about Hugo’s life. From beginning to end, it’s easy to see how every moment has altered her and how she’ll approach future situations, how everything (within her control) will be manipulated and ensure her success in the end.
Diving deeper, the story changes it goes from a girl wanting to succeed her mother’s dream, to a young adult where she wants everything and what worked before quickly becomes boring, to someone where the weight of everything begins to splinter parts of herself and she finally decides to choose herself over pursuit of the next greatest thing.
This also could’ve been viewed as a story about insecurity and that no matter how much you exploit it, how well it remains hidden, it doesn’t go away with more fame/money/accolades. It hurts to think that despite everything Hugo still believes that a large part of her career is due to her appearance, due to her ability to incite sexual desire in everyone around her. That when she hits a wall, the same trick (just in a different font) will almost always get her through it and more.
The dry, no-nonsense, repetitive (in my opinion) writing style is crucial to this story working as well as it has. It isn’t simply a way the plot is delivered, instead it becomes a part of the plot. It provides further insight into Hugo’s mind, how she was feeling and thinking about the current situation. It can easily feel detached, it could easily be a couple hundred pages too long, however everything ended up in the right balance.
For waiting several years to read it (I watched a WithCindy review several years ago all of it forgotten but the impact still lives on), I am definitely walking away having learned a lot, with a lot to think on and several things to delve deeper into and potentially analyze at a later date.
For example, how Hugo managed to state everything as plainly as possible, but she still manages to be a mystery and how that simply is a part of herself that she can’t give up, that there might’ve been truth hidden in the truth that she doesn’t know exist or can confront just yet. Almost making the mystery of Hugo something that creates a sense of allure of the world towards her, but a defense mechanism (or sorts, that phrasing feels a bit too harsh or too niche to best describe what I’m thinking) for what has gone unsaid throughout the story.
