The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jun 2017 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“If you’re looking for a book to take on holiday this summer, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has got all the glitz and glamour to make it a perfect beach read.” —Bustle

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six—an entrancing and “wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet” (PopSugar) as she reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine.

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

“Heartbreaking, yet beautiful” (Jamie Blynn, Us Weekly), The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is “Tinseltown drama at its finest” (Redbook): a mesmerizing journey through the splendor of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means—and what it costs—to face the truth.

Ratings and reviews

I guess it's more accurate to assign this one 3.5 stars. It was a fast and enjoyable read, with no heavy lifting. Reclusive Evelyn Hugo is a legend, whose fame in Hollywood stretched across three decades (1950s - 1980s) and seven marriages. Now, nearly 80, she engineers a meeting with a young, little-known reporter named Monique Grant and offers her a chance to publish Evelyn's "true" biography. Which is quite a different story from the one the public knows. Monique, recently separated from her own husband and with ambitions of her own, signs on. And the two women begin a series of long meetings where Evelyn talks and Monique takes notes. The story begins like many Hollywood success stories we've read. Initially, Evelyn's fame rests primarily on her exotic beauty, which attracts the lust of nearly every actor, producer, and director she meets. Though acting talent also emerges over the years, it turns out Evelyn's success is much more the result of her own steely determination. She has been willing to do ANYTHING to get ahead. The stories behind her seven marriages are not what you might expect. This is not the story of an optimistic woman searching for love, but being continually disappointed. Because Evelyn DOES have one "deep romantic love" throughout most of her life. Only that has little to do with her marriages. There are a few additional themes touched upon: alcoholism, physical abuse, childhood rebellion to name a few. And one, late-in-the-day, plot surprise. But this is not a deeply thoughtful novel with nuance or finesse. Bottom line: a good beach read.

A unique, feminist take on celebrity and the Hollywood diva Most of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books are about love – romantic and otherwise. They feature contemporary characters, people who might be your best friend or your sister or your uncle. They’re people you could be friends with, or friendly with, and good people you unquestioningly feel for. This one is different. While it still includes TJR’s trademark wisdom, directness, and honesty, the characters and themes make this book stand out from the rest of her oeuvre. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about an unapologetically strong, fierce, feminist of a main character. Someone who could be deemed unlikeable, someone definitely not shy, polite, or ready to just take things as they are. Let me backtrack. As the synopsis indicates, writer Monique Grant is unexpectedly given the opportunity to write the tell-all memoir of Hollywood legend Evelyn Hugo. It’s the chance of a lifetime, but Monique’s not sure why it’s her chance. Still, the offer is too good to turn down. The novel alternates between scenes of Monique interviewing Evelyn and Monique’s own emotional history, but largely looks at Evelyn’s life, upbringing, and eventual stardom with her husbands as benchmarks. You’ll quickly realize is that as much emphasis as the title (and in some ways, the world of the novel) places on Evelyn’s marriages, it’s not about the husbands at all. It’s about Evelyn – her desperation in poverty, her recognition of her own beauty and sexuality, and her understanding of how to use those gifts to her advantage. What TJR has done with Evelyn Hugo is present a character who is unabashedly strong. There is no one like Evelyn Hugo in any of her previous books. No one who could be seen as both hero and villain, and no one as publicly vilified and vindicated at every turn. Every action that Evelyn makes throughout the novel has subtext. It’s these layers that make her such an extraordinary character. For someone who has read almost all of TJR’s work, it’s a surprise. It feels a little jarring at first, because you’re not going to love these characters like your friends. And yet, it’s a departure that is completely understandable given the state of politics in the US. Add to that the fact that Taylor just had a daughter, and the dedication of the book makes perfect sense. TJR tells her daughter to “smash the patriarchy.” To me, there’s no doubt that Taylor did that with The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. To say more about the plot would rob you of some of the surprises – and you need them. In fact, to me, the only part of this book that kept me from absolutely loving it was that the plot occasionally felt a little predictable. It’s like when you watch any kind of biopic of a performer – there are always moments that you can see coming, but you know they have to happen, even if it is a little cliche. In Evelyn Hugo, that felt especially true at the end. The good thing is that despite the occasional predictability, and the fact that this book is a complete departure for TJR, it’s still a TJR book. It still has Taylor’s amazing secondary characters, incredible friendships, and moments of wisdom that make you nod and cry and highlight.

I loved this book. I fell in love with so many characters. I also like how these books are in the same universe (Daisy Jones and the six, Malibu rising, and Carrie Soto is back). I recommend reading this book.

About the author

Taylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their daughter.