The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Characters: 5/5 Writing: 5/5
Setting: 5/5 Plot: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Summary: Hollywood icon, Evelyn Hugo, is prepared to share her story decades following the height of her fame. Notorious for having seven husbands throughout her lifetime, Evelyn's promiscuous legacy gets falsely presumed by the public. Her narrative proves to be much more complex than tabloids suggest. Monique Grant, an unknown magazine reporter, is directly asked by Evelyn to interview her and transcribe a memoir. As the two discuss the details of her life, Evelyn discloses the whole truth to Monique. Central to this novel is the theme of a socially restrictive setting for the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo provides a unique perspective into the seemingly glamorous lives and careers of celebrities.
"Smash the patriarchy, sweetheart"
Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read. It features a mesmerizing plot that kept me wanting to know more. The writing style is fluid and compelling, creating an immersive tale for the readers. Each character is crafted to be intricate and often morally grey. These complexities make them feel three-dimensional and more humane than most books I've read. It challenges our notions of what love should look like and features different types of love in life: romantic partners, platonic soulmates, familial bonds, etc. Taylor Jenkins Reid did not shy away from writing about the hardships that present themselves for a romantic partnership, no matter how greatly two people love one another. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is emotional in every way; I cried throughout the entire thing, but it revealed so much about how complicated love can be, especially in the face of adversity. It is a book that everyone should read and one that you'll never forget.
“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.”