I had such a great time with Evelyn Hugo and her seven husbands. But don’t let the title deceive you because it also includes an 8th person of significance — the true love of her life. It is a very compelling read that I devoured in one day. The book is primarily divided up into chapters exploring each of the seven husbands, each one with a tag line capturing his essence. Sprinkled throughout the story are magazine stories announcing major news about this hugely popular actress. It was fun to follow the story through these clippings.
Taylor Jenkins Reid wowed me with her more recent book Daisy Jones and the Six and I found The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to be just as compelling. It is the story of a larger than life Hollywood legend, nearing the end of her life, who wants to tell the world her true story.
Evelyn Hugo is one of the biggest movie stars of all time. She doesn’t even have to have something to say for people to listen.
“I’m not a good person, Monique. Make sure, in the book, that that’s clear. That I’m not claiming to be good. That I did a lot of things that hurt a lot of people, and I would do them over again if I had to.”
Evelyn has chosen a relatively obscure junior writer to be the author of her life story and we are left wondering why. To be sure do finally learn why but not until the end, as if you need a reason to stay with the story, which you won’t. Evelyn is such a complex yet captivating character that will continuously dazzle you with her self-reflection and life choices. While you may not always agree with her decisions, you will admire her determination to live a life of her own choosing on her own terms.
Evelyn is someone special with terrific insight. I found her to be likable, sincere and full of wisdom.
Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.
Guilt is a feeling I’ve never made much peace with. I find that when it rears its head, it brings an army. When I feel guilty for one thing, I start to see all the other things I should feel guilty for.
It’s always been fascinating to me how things can be simultaneously true and false, how people can be good and bad all in one, how someone can love you in a way that is beautifully selfless while serving themselves ruthlessly.
She tries to mentor Monique and impart some of her life lessons.
“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”
This book will stay with you as will Evelyn Hugo. I will definitely be reading more by Taylor Jenkins Reid, including all of her previous work as well as her future endeavors.
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