Taylor Jenkins Reid’s recent literary sensation, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, takes readers on a journey through the life of Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood icon known not just for her cinematic fame but also for her complex personal life marked by her seven marriages. The story begins with Monique Grant, a relatively unknown journalist, who is given the opportunity of a lifetime to interview Evelyn Hugo, who now remains secluded from the media. After years of silence, Evelyn has finally committed to telling her life story, a story that could earn millions, a story every news-outlet is dying to have.
As Evelyn recounts her life journey, from her humble beginnings in Hell’s Kitchen to her rise to fame in Hollywood, Monique soon finds herself entangled in a web of scandal, ambition, and untold secrets.
Evelyn Hugo’s life is a whirlwind of passion, ambition, and heartbreak. From her early years as a Cuban immigrant, to her navigating the entertainment industry, Evelyn’s story is a gripping saga that unfolds like a classic Hollywood blockbuster. The novel blends the glitz and glamor in the golden age of Hollywood with the harsh realities of love, loss, and sacrifice.
The novel revolved around Evelyn’s seven marriages: each union involved in mystery, passion, and heartache. Monique finds herself increasingly curious in the intricate web of Evelyn’s life, wanting to learn every piece of grit and glitter. The story not only sheds light on the details of Evelyn’s personal relationships but also delves into the price one pays for success in the unforgiving entertainment industry.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo carries a rating suitable for an audience aged 15 and above. The novel explores complex and mature themes, such as the aspects of romantic relationships and the sacrifices made for success through the dark side of Hollywood. Evelyn Hugo’s seven marriages include a level of depth that involve several perspectives about love, intimacy, and even themes of domestic abuse and violence.
Reid also touches upon societal expectations, the price of fame, and the compromises individuals make to navigate the different aspects of the entertainment industry. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo run the gamut of genres from young adult, historical fiction, and romance.
While the novel does not shy away from these mature themes, it approaches them with care, diving into the emotional and psychological dimensions of each character. The storytelling doesn’t rely on explicit content for shock value but rather focuses on the emotional impact of the characters’ choices and experiences.
Words cannot describe my love for this novel; it’s an eye opener about life as a whole. Even if I am not a Hollywood actress, there was so much more I connected to and learned from.
I enjoyed the way much of the novel was written from Evelyn’s perspective. Every chapter switches from traveling back in time to Evelyn’s flashbacks, to Monique and Evelyn’s present day interactions. The novel is structured as a series of interviews between Evelyn and Monique, creating a sense of intimacy that appealed deeply to me. The readers are not merely observers but active participants in Evelyn’s confessions, making the storytelling more engaging and personal.
I found the representation of the queer community in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to be both affirming and realistic. The novel thoughtfully dives into the historical context of Hollywood, a time when being part of the LGBTQ+ community was far from widely accepted. Despite this challenge, the novel avoids idealizing or romanticizing the experiences of queer characters. Instead, it paints a realistic picture of the struggles faced by individuals navigating their identities in a society that often looked down upon their relationships. The book realistically shows the challenges of being queer in a time when it wasn’t widely accepted, making the characters and their stories feel more meaningful and genuine.
Yet while being deeply engrossed in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found myself less enthusiastic with the chapters dealing with Monique’s life. These segments felt somewhat forced, almost as if I were being compelled to divert my attention from Evelyn Hugo’s life to dive into Monique’s less intriguing storyline. The abrupt transitions disrupted the flow of the more interesting aspects of the novel, leaving me eager to return to the rich and captivating story of Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo. Although Monique’s character served as a transition for Evelyn’s story, the contrast in engagement between the two storylines left my eyes rolling after being left off on an Evelyn cliffhanger, longing to continue my journey with this icon.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid seamlessly combines the attraction of old Hollywood with complexities of love and sacrifice. Evelyn’s journey through seven marriages unfolds with scandal, passion, and heartache. The book’s portrayal of the queer community adds depth, depicting challenges faced in a less accepting era. Evelyn, a resilient leading lady, transcends conventional romance, inspiring both readers and characters in their approach to relationships. The novel is a compelling exploration of Hollywood’s entertainment, navigating the complexities of love and identity with straightforward yet powerful storytelling.
