There’s been a lot of hype over The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid on social media recently. I remembering seeing this book a few years ago closer to when it first came out in 2017, but the premise didn’t catch me at the time. I’m glad my book club decided to cover it. Though I’ve never been a huge fan of stories revolving around actors and the lives of famous people, I did enjoy Evelyn Hugo as a character and the story she told. Before I get into that here’s a quick summary which will include spoilers, so if you want to go into this book blind, come back later—
Evelyn Hugo has quite a legacy behind her name, aside from an Oscar, several nominations, and a very noteworthy body type, the aging former actor was also married 7 times. Ready to tell her tale to unknown magazine reporter, Monique Grant, Evelyn describes her life and all the secrets she’s hidden within, including her true love belonging to fellow actress, Cecile St. James. Monique is captivated by everything Evelyn has to share, but can’t stop wondering why she was hand-picked for the interview. While becoming enamored with Evelyn’s story, Monique’s own life changes, but is it enough to rationalize the truth Evelyn’s been keeping from her?
I like a framed narrative. I think it gives additional body to a work and can really layer up a story and deepen themes. Here, we have Monique Grant, recently separated from her husband, requested by famous movie star, Evelyn Hugo, to hear her life story, which functions as the inner narrative. Evelyn’s story was captivating and complex. I enjoyed the style it was written in—Evelyn had such a distinct voice. Her character was strong and resilient. It was easy to get swept away with her story. The outer narrative—told via first person through Monique—was disappointing. The writing was weaker and I felt like everything was being spelled out for me, which I don’t enjoy as a reader. I also left the book feeling very indifferent towards Monique as a character compared to the emotions I felt for Evelyn. I felt that if the outer narrative was slowed down, and we had more time with Monique in which her character developed slower than I would have appreciated her story more.
Outside of that piece of criticism, this was a really engaging read. It’s not often I see a character who is so uncompromising in their goals, which is probably the part about Evelyn I most enjoyed. A Cuban girl, born in Hell’s Kitchen, manages to find her way to Hollywood and uses her wits (and tits) to open studio doors, eventually landing a role, and essentially completing the American dream. I love how Evelyn refused to feel guilty over her past, and she continued doing what she had to in order to keep her own happiness. Obviously a majority of her life was lived during a time when homosexuality would ruin your career and sacrifices needed to be made in order to keep herself, and love interest Cecile, safe. The tone in which her story was told carried that air of weary acceptance, bitter with some low aching regret. Though it’s clear that Evelyn is a strong, calculated woman, there’s this stoic sadness to her, which I attuned to the loss of love and time. A lot of heartache there to dissect.
The relationship between Evelyn and Cecilia was a complicated one and I enjoyed the struggle which they had to endure. I loved the contrast between the two of them which added to the conflict. Cecile, born from wealth and willing to throw everything away to be with Evelyn, and Evelyn who worked too hard to obtain her position but was willing to do anything in order to keep their life a secret. Both women made mistakes and thereby showed deeper dimensions than you usually get in romance books. Though I’m not sure this would count as a strict romance novel, I have seen it marketed that way. It certainly is a love story.
If you haven’t already checked out the hype, I know I’m late to the party, and are looking for a love story that doesn’t pull back any punches, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, might be for you.