Note: This post, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo Review, contains spoilers for the book. Please don’t read further if you’re trying to avoid spoilers.
About The Author
Taylor Jenkins Reid is the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, as well as One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her newest novel, Malibu Rising, is out now. She lives in Los Angeles.
Amazon Summary
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.
The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo Review
I read The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo a while back when I was taking a bit of a break from editing my manuscript. To be honest, I was a little burnt out and didn’t go in with the best attitude. Also, I went in knowing nothing about the book. I didn’t even read the summary. It happened to be near my desk and the first book I got my hands on. And let me tell you, this book ended up being one of the best books I’ve ever read. Definitely in my top 10. I am SO glad I went in not knowing a single thing about the plot because it helped me appreciate the twists and turns (of which there were many) even more.
Characters
It is incredibly difficult to create a character that is so morally grey that you have no idea where you stand with the character even after you’re done reading the book. A character that is both constantly the victim as well as the villain. That takes advantage of the system and yet pays for being a part of that system. And that character is Evelyn Hugo. Throughout the entirety of the book, I never knew where I stood with her. Just when I began to empathise, she turns around and does something heinous enough for me to be angry at her once more. Even at the end, I loved and hated her equally.
Taylor Jenkins Reid did an incredible job with Evelyn as well as every other character in the book, almost all of whom are morally grey. That’s what made them relatable, that’s what made them human, that’s what made the reader maintain their interest in them.
Monique Grant’s character started out secure about her morals and ethics but as she dives further into Evelyn’s world, we see her become more morally grey as well. She makes decisions that are more selfish and self serving. But as the reader, I wasn’t even mad at her for it. It just showed how when we become a part of a morally corrupt system it’s almost impossible to not indulge in it for our own benefit.
Other characters like Celia, Harry, Monique’s parents all left a mark on my heart. Even the smallest side characters were an important part of the plot. They brought the book to life in a beautiful yet heartbreaking way.
Plot
Okay, so it’s really difficult to discuss the plot without giving too much away. The point of this book, what made it so hard to put down, was the unexpected twists and turns. So, without giving away too much I will say that throw out anything you may expect from this book. It’s a million times better.
The plot was so interesting that it kept me engrossed from the very beginning and it only gets better from there. It’s so well written and I can tell the author has done their research with the topics discussed and the time it takes place in (Evelyn’s past I mean).
The writing is inviting, easy to get through but also has so much meaning.
Spoilers about the plot ahead, please don’t read if you’re trying to avoid spoilers.
The plot hides its agenda so well that I didn’t realise it was about murder till the very end. It was devastating in the best way possible.
Overall
You have free will but if I can influence you to give this book a go I’ll be happy. It’s so brilliantly written and the author gets across every single point she sets out to make. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo left me with my mouth on the floor and tears in my eyes. That is the highest recommendation I can give a book.
If you enjoyed my review of The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo and would like to check the book out yourself, you can find it on Amazon.
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