The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Book Review

Post

Subscribe

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a highly acclaimed novel that blends romance, celebrity intrigue, and themes of identity, ambition, and redemption. Published in 2017, the book follows the fictional life of Evelyn Hugo, a glamorous and controversial Hollywood icon, as she recounts her journey through seven marriages, each representing different stages of her career and personal growth. The narrative is framed through Evelyn’s interview with an unknown journalist, Monique Grant, whose life becomes unexpectedly intertwined with Evelyn's revelations.

The novel begins with Evelyn Hugo, now in her seventies and retired from public life, offering to give an exclusive interview to Monique Grant, a relatively unknown journalist. Evelyn insists that only Monique can write her biography, leaving the young woman puzzled by her selection. As Evelyn’s life story unfolds, the narrative moves chronologically through her seven marriages, tracing her rise from poverty to superstardom and uncovering the truths behind the tabloid headlines.

Evelyn's Seven Husbands were:

1. Ernie Diaz: Evelyn’s first husband is a convenient stepping stone. At just 15, Evelyn marries Ernie to escape Hell’s Kitchen in New York and head to Los Angeles, where she hopes to pursue a career in acting. Their marriage ends as soon as Evelyn gets her big break, illustrating her early willingness to use relationships as tools for personal gain.

2. Don Adler: Don is Evelyn’s second husband and a rising star in Hollywood. Their marriage is abusive, with Don both emotionally and physically harming her. This marriage marks the beginning of Evelyn’s understanding of the toxic dynamics of the industry and the cost of fame. Despite the abuse, Evelyn learns to navigate her career more shrewdly, manipulating public perceptions to her advantage.

3. Mick Riva: A brief, scandalous marriage to the rock star Mick Riva (who also appears in Reid’s novel Malibu Rising) is purely for publicity. Evelyn marries Mick impulsively in Las Vegas, only to annul the union the next day. This episode exemplifies her growing awareness of how to control her public image, using the press to her benefit.



4. Rex North: Evelyn’s fourth marriage to actor Rex North is a mutual agreement between two ambitious stars. They marry to generate media buzz around their careers, fully aware that the relationship is a sham. When rumours of Evelyn’s infidelity threaten their public image, they stage a divorce to preserve their reputations.

5. Harry Cameron: Evelyn’s marriage to Harry, a film producer and her lifelong friend, is the most meaningful in her life. Both Evelyn and Harry are secretly in love with other people: Evelyn with actress Celia St. James, and Harry with a man named John. Their marriage allows them to hide their true selves while providing emotional support to each other. Together, they raise a daughter, Connor, and build a life that offers fleeting moments of contentment amidst the pressures of fame and secrecy.

6. Max Girard: Max, an influential director, worships Evelyn as an idea rather than as a real person. Although Evelyn believes this relationship might offer a fresh start, she quickly discovers that Max is in love with her public persona rather than her authentic self. Their marriage fails, reinforcing the theme of identity and the tension between who Evelyn is versus who the world wants her to be.

7. Robert Jamison: Evelyn’s final marriage is to Robert, the brother of her true love, Celia St. James. This marriage is less about love and more about honouring Celia’s wishes after her death. By marrying Robert, Evelyn secures a sense of familial connection in her final years, emphasizing the importance of legacy and chosen family.

The novel explores the tension between public personas and private lives, shedding light on the sacrifices Evelyn makes to maintain her career. She deliberately crafts an image that will sell, often at the expense of personal relationships and authenticity. The portrayal of Hollywood reveals a world where manipulation and image control are essential for survival, underscoring the fleeting nature of fame.

A central element of the novel is Evelyn’s love for Celia St. James, a relationship she hides for much of her life due to societal taboos around same-sex love during her era. Evelyn’s bisexuality is portrayed with depth, showing the inner conflict she faces in balancing love, ambition, and public acceptance. Her marriage to Harry Cameron also emphasizes themes of unconventional love and chosen family, as both characters create their own definition of family outside societal norms.

Evelyn’s story is one of reclaiming agency in a world that seeks to control her. While she is often perceived as ruthless, the narrative presents her decisions as acts of survival. Whether it’s leaving abusive relationships or using marriages for career advancement, Evelyn demonstrates the complexities of making choices in a male-dominated industry. The novel challenges readers to question the moral compromises individuals make to achieve their dreams.

Throughout the novel, Evelyn confronts the expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry. She learns that to thrive in a world designed for men, she must adopt traditionally masculine traits like assertiveness and cunning. However, this comes with consequences, as she is often vilified for actions that would have been praised if done by a man.

As Evelyn shares her story with Monique, it becomes clear that much of her life has been built on secrets. However, her confessions are an attempt to seek redemption, both for herself and those she has hurt along the way. The novel questions whether full redemption is ever possible, leaving the answer ambiguous.

The novel is structured as a dual narrative: one follows Evelyn recounting her life to Monique, and the other offers glimpses into Monique’s present-day struggles. Interspersed between these narratives are fictional tabloid articles and headlines, providing insight into how the media shapes Evelyn’s image. This structure keeps readers engaged by revealing not only Evelyn’s personal truth but also how it contrasts with public perception.

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style is direct yet evocative, with dialogue-driven scenes that bring the characters to life. The novel balances glamour and grit, offering readers both the escapism of Old Hollywood and the emotional depth of Evelyn’s personal journey.

Monique initially sees herself as a passive observer in Evelyn’s story, but as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that their lives are more connected than she realizes. The climax reveals that Evelyn’s actions had a direct impact on Monique’s life: Harry Cameron’s lover, John, was Monique’s estranged father, and his death in a car accident (while with Harry) indirectly caused her parents’ divorce.

This twist forces Monique to confront her own emotions and sense of forgiveness. It adds a layer of complexity to Evelyn’s character, showing that even in seeking redemption, she remains an imperfect figure who has caused unintentional harm. The novel ends with Monique finding closure, both for her professional aspirations and personal healing.

Since its release, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has garnered widespread praise for its nuanced portrayal of love, ambition, and identity. Readers and critics have lauded Reid’s ability to create a vivid, immersive world that feels both glamorous and emotionally resonant. The novel has also been celebrated for its representation of LGBTQ+ relationships, offering a narrative that goes beyond stereotypes to depict complex, fully realized characters.

Evelyn Hugo has become an iconic literary figure, with many readers comparing her to real-life Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor or Rita Hayworth. The novel’s themes of identity, forgiveness, and the nature of truth have resonated deeply with audiences, leading to a dedicated fanbase and ongoing discussions about its characters and themes.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is more than just a story about a Hollywood star’s marriages—it’s a meditation on the price of ambition, the fluidity of identity, and the power of storytelling. Evelyn’s journey from anonymity to fame, and ultimately to self-acceptance, offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Taylor Jenkins Reid masterfully captures both the allure and the darkness of celebrity life, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is profound.

#book_reviews
#book_series
#arts_culture
%wneverywhere