The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Year of Publication: 2018
Date of Publication: May 29, 2018
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 1501161938
ISBN-13: 978-1501161933

Our Rating of This Book

Summary

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a novel that explores fame, ambition, and the complexities of love.

The story follows Monique Grant, an unknown journalist, who is chosen by legendary Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo to write her biography.

Evelyn has been a star since her 50’s. She is now in her 80’s. She has never really done any interviews but she contacts the magazine where Monique works and asked to be interviewed by her.

The book is broken into different era’s based on her seven marriages. We also get a glimpse of her childhood, the 50’s, and old Hollywood glamour.

As Evelyn recounts her life, including her rise to fame and her seven marriages, Monique learns some life lessons that intertwine with her personal life.

Main Themes

The novel focuses on themes of love, identity, and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of ambition.

It examines the impact of societal expectations on personal choices and highlights the complexities of relationships in the public eye.

Evelyn’s story also explores the price of fame and the lengths one goes to protect their truth.

Writing Style

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing alternates between Evelyn’s recounting of her life and Monique’s personal reflections.

The book has really short chapters. Even though it is 400 pages, it is still a very quick read because of how it is structured.

Reid’s portrayal of the 1950s and 1960s Hollywood clearly brings the glamour and grit of the era to life. She uses a lot of detailed description especially how she describes the clothing of the eras.