This is a tale of rising to fame from the depth of nothing. Where people know her name but could never guess what it took to get her name in lights. Explore the innermost thoughts of a mastermind, a calculating, alluring, and bold movie star. How cruelly she crushes competition under her stilettos, yet possesses the fierce nature of a woman in love. The truth behind old Hollywood scandals, seven marriages, and (the truth a lowly reporter has clawed from the deepest depths of this star’s heart) who the love of her life was.
Or simply put: the life story of one Evelyn Hugo.
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a historical drama that can be found at local bookstores and libraries. It’s recommended audience is youth or yound adult 15+ due to some topics that may be inappropriate for younger readers.
The moment you think you have this book figured out it throws another curveball at you much like the story’s protagonist Evelyn Hugo.
The story follows the aforementioned 1950’s Hollywood hot-shot years after she has retired from the movie scene. With her iconic bleach blonde hair that shouldn’t but somehow still looks natural, her iconic fashion styles, and her scandalous love life, every publication company is dying to get their hands on any crumb of a story Evelyn might so graciously offer. Unfortunately, Evelyn refused to talk.
That is, until she reaches out to “Vivant Magazine” requesting a story about an auction of her most iconic clothing. The money will be given to cancer charities, but on one condition — if one specific writer does the story. Monique Grant, a newly divorced novice journalist who’s been waiting for her big break, doesn’t know why Evelyn Hugo, of all people, wants her. Regardless, she takes on the project.
Grant meets Evelyn in her luxurious apartment the next day to discuss the interview, but plans change when Monique finds out the real reason behind her request. Evelyn isn’t actually interested in a story about the auction, but wants Monique to write the story of her life.
The rise to fame and the loss of identity that comes with it; the troubles of being on the big screen, her friendship with actress Ceila St. James, and the truth behind her notorious seven husbands: Ernie Diaz (poor), Don Adler (godd**n), Mick Riva (gullible), Rex North (clever), Harry Cameron (brilliant, kind hearted, tortured), Max Girad (disappointing), and Robert Jamison (agreeable).
The truth is yet to be revealed, but Monique must weigh her options after taking the story. It might cost Monique her regular job to secretly freelance a job this big, but how can she give up an opportunity to make millions of dollars and get her name out there?
Evelyn is calculated and ruthless, so why does she want an inconsequential journalist like Monique Grant? What did she do to get from rags to riches? And who is the love of her life?
As she tells Monique about her life via a series of detailed flashbacks, the motive becomes clear in what staryed as a twisted game of fate soon became the inner workings of a mastermind. And it’s possible that through the process Evelyn rubs off on Monique just a bit.
This book is a New York Times best seller with two million copies sold since its publication in 2017, according to the book’s cover.
In 2022, Netflix greenlit a movie adaptation of the novel with the author being a part of the production team as stated by People. Though the movie is highly anticipated and fans have taken it among themselves to make dream cast lists, no casting news has yet to be released and no updates on the progress of this movie have been mentioned by Netflix.
This book deals with morally gray characters, especially Evelyn. Will you love her or will you hate her? It’s hard to tell. Is she a good person? Well, according to Evelyn herself she isn’t, but some might find it hard not to admire her just a bit.
The magic behind complex characters is the impossibility to pin them down into just one category.
With fascinating uses of imagery and descriptive language, this book paints a picture of a story that transcends time. It’s easy to argue that though the book primarily takes place in the mid 1900’s, its grappling of issues of struggling with one’s identity, the need for taking control of your life, and the need for taking accountability for hurrful actions inflicted on others make this book timeless and relatable to almost everyone.
It’s tempting to call this novel the modern day ‘Great Gatsby” with the similarities being stark. Gatsby and Hugo both built their way to money, attend lavish parties, are the subject to daring rumors in high society, and partake in daring escapades in the name of a love that society would never accept.
Moreso, both novels portray struggle of attaining the American dream and the crushing reality that money cannot buy happiness. The greed to have it all (both money and a Disney worthy love story) resulting in a loss of identity and driven to a crossroad of ultimatums that leave the aforementioned characters forced to make choices that change their worlds forever.
The symbolism of the color green through Gatsby’s iconic light and Hugo’s go to outfits being green to show the interwoven nature of the American dream, personal desires, and need of money.
Comparably, Evelyn Hugo is Jay Gatsby; Monique Grant is Nick Carreway (both narrate from outside points of view and share similar feelings towards their rich companions), and Hugo’s true love interest is Gatsby’s Daisy. Not because they are similar in characteristics, but because both are only an arms length away yet somehow still intangible no matter how close they seem. In fairness, one difference is that the classic lovers come from old money while the modern lovers come from new money.
More connections between these novels can be made, but for now it can be said that the most ironic similarity is the novel’s turning point which revolves around a car, but to prevent any big spoilers that is all that can be said.
Plan out a day to read this novel because once you get on this emotional roller coaster it’s hard to get off.
Who knows, maybe a bit of Evelyn Hugo will rub off on you as well.
