Wow, I cannot seem to find the words that would do this amazing book justice. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a sort of romance/historical fiction novel from Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of the popular 2019 hit Daisy Jones and The Six. Evelyn Hugo was published in 2017, but I really do believe that some books find you at the right time, and I’m so pleased and glad to have finally read this one now.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo sees journalist Monique Grant approached to do an interview with legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo. Nearing 80, Evelyn wants it to be her final interview and insists that it has to be Monique who will cover it. Naturally, the reader will assume Evelyn has her reasons for this, and they will need to read through the book before they find out why this is. The star obviously has something she wants to set the record straight on, and she’s decided she’s now done with silence. Evelyn tells Monique her story, from deciding to go to Hollywood right up to the present day. The book is split between Evelyn’s narration of her tale, and Monique’s present-day point of view, though I would say it mostly focuses on Evelyn. Reid has said in interviews that character of Evelyn was influenced by actress Ava Gardner – who wished to have a journalist ghostwrite her autobiography. She also drew inspiration from actresses Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor.
I wouldn’t want to go into huge detail and expand on what the plot is as it may explain too much and give points away. I went into this book not knowing much at all, and I feel that was part of the enjoyment because I didn’t know what was around the corner. What I got was a glimpse into old Hollywood glamour, sex, and scandal, and a heartbreakingly honest look at the tempestuous relationships of one formidable and most incredible lady – and her seven husbands!
Evelyn was such a complicated character. I think one of my most favourite things about this book is how many sides there are of Evelyn. She is sexy, smart, calculated, talented, and ambitious. She is also incredibly human, she makes mistakes, she doesn’t always make the right decisions, but she thinks she’s making the right decisions for HER. Evelyn can read men, she can manipulate men, she’s ruthless. She thinks she’s an excellent judge of character, but she doesn’t always get it right. I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say most people could see some of themselves in Evelyn, whether it be big or small. One could argue she was no saint, yet I respected her all the same. I loved her ambition and drive, I loved her perseverance and her passion and her resilience. The audiences adored her, the newspapers wanted her, Monique was drawn back to her to continue with her story, and you, the reader, will keep reading.
Each marriage and husband has a reason behind it and covers important periods in Evelyn’s life. Evelyn is a cynic but she was also a romantic and she wanted to be loved. I really thought that seven husbands would be a stretch, but if you read the book you would see how they all fit into an engaging and clever story. We see who her true love really was.
My bisexual heart is singing right now. It was so good to finally read something with some bisexual representation that spoke to me on some sort of level that not many books have managed to recently. At the same time though, it still makes me feel sad that we have it better than people decades past would have done. I am sad that attitudes were what they were back then. I’m sad people felt like they had to hide and were not allowed to be their authentic selves. We still have a long way to go, but reading this made me realise I am grateful for the progress that’s been made.
This book has a way of making you feel. I’m not ashamed to say I cried at some parts. It is written in a way that you connect with the characters, particularly with Evelyn. You see what she has been through and how she feels through her own words as she tells her story. You also see her through Monique’s eyes too. You are so connected that I found myself almost listening, not just reading, but listening to her every word. You become invested in her story. So emotionally invested, that yes, there were some tears from me.
The message I took away from the book was that life is just too short to not go after what you want. Time doesn’t stop for anyone and we shouldn’t take people for granted, and we should always tell our loved ones that we love them. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was such a memorable read for me, I felt like I knew Evelyn, I read about her whole life. She is a fictional character and yet I feel like I miss her already. I think this is the sort of book that stays with you long after you’ve read the final page.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is available from Amazon, Book Depsoitory, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore!
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life.
When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
