The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating novel written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Published in 2017, the book quickly gained popularity and became a bestseller. It tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a fictional Hollywood icon who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. The book is a combination of romance, historical fiction, and drama, making it a compelling read for fans of these genres.
What sets The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo apart from other novels is its unique narrative structure. The story is told through the perspective of Monique Grant, a young journalist who is chosen to write Evelyn Hugo’s biography. As Monique delves into Evelyn’s life, she uncovers secrets, scandals, and a love story that spans decades. The book explores themes of love, betrayal, and the price of fame, making it a thought-provoking and emotionally charged read.
Key Takeaways
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating tale of love, loss, and Hollywood glamour.
- The protagonist, Evelyn Hugo, and her seven husbands are complex and intriguing characters.
- Love, betrayal, and the price of fame are central themes in the novel.
- The writing style is a perfect blend of emotion and intrigue, making it a page-turner.
- The setting provides a glimpse into the golden age of Hollywood and the historical context adds depth to the story.
The Plot: A Captivating Tale of Love, Loss, and Hollywood Glamour
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the life of the titular character, Evelyn Hugo, as she recounts her rise to stardom and her tumultuous relationships with her seven husbands. The story begins with Monique Grant, a struggling journalist who is surprised when she is chosen to write Evelyn’s biography. Monique is intrigued by the opportunity and agrees to meet with Evelyn to discuss the project.
As Monique interviews Evelyn, she learns about her humble beginnings as a Cuban immigrant named Evelyn Herrera. Determined to escape poverty and make a name for herself in Hollywood, Evelyn uses her beauty and cunning to climb the ranks of the entertainment industry. Along the way, she marries seven different men, each marriage serving a purpose in furthering her career or personal goals.
Throughout the book, there are several key events and twists that keep readers engaged. One of the major twists is the revelation of Evelyn’s true love, which is unexpected and adds depth to her character. The book also explores themes of sexuality, race, and the sacrifices one must make for success. The plot is filled with drama, heartbreak, and unexpected turns, making it a page-turner from start to finish.
The Characters: A Closer Look at the Protagonist and the Seven Husbands
Evelyn Hugo is a complex and compelling protagonist. She is a strong-willed and ambitious woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. Despite her flaws, Evelyn is also vulnerable and relatable, making her a character that readers can root for. Her relationships with her seven husbands are varied and nuanced, each one revealing a different side of her personality.
The first husband, Ernie Diaz, is Evelyn’s childhood sweetheart. Their marriage is short-lived but significant in shaping Evelyn’s desire for fame and success. The second husband, Don Adler, is a famous actor who helps Evelyn gain entry into Hollywood’s elite circles. Their relationship is passionate but ultimately ends in tragedy.
The third husband, Mick Riva, is a charismatic musician who becomes Evelyn’s true love. Their relationship is passionate and tumultuous, filled with love and betrayal. The fourth husband, Rex North, is a talented actor who helps Evelyn secure her first Oscar win. Their marriage is a business arrangement that eventually turns into genuine affection.
The fifth husband, Harry Cameron, is a bisexual actor who struggles with his identity in the conservative Hollywood of the 1960s. Their marriage serves as a cover for both of them but also becomes a genuine friendship. The sixth husband, Max Girard, is a powerful studio executive who helps Evelyn secure roles and maintain her career. Their marriage is purely transactional and devoid of love.
The seventh husband, Robert Jamison, is Evelyn’s best friend and confidant. Their marriage is a platonic one, based on mutual respect and understanding. Each husband brings something different to Evelyn’s life, and their relationships with her reveal different aspects of her character.
The Themes: Love, Betrayal, and the Price of Fame
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo explores several major themes that resonate throughout the book. One of the central themes is love and its complexities. Evelyn’s relationships with her husbands are filled with passion, betrayal, and sacrifice. The book delves into the different forms love can take and the consequences of pursuing it at all costs.
Betrayal is another prominent theme in the book. As Evelyn climbs the ladder of success, she often finds herself betraying those closest to her in order to protect her career and reputation. The book raises questions about the price of fame and whether it is worth sacrificing personal relationships for professional success.
The theme of identity is also explored through the character of Harry Cameron, who struggles with his bisexuality in a time when it was not accepted. The book examines the challenges faced by individuals who do not conform to societal norms and the toll it takes on their mental and emotional well-being.
The Writing Style: A Perfect Blend of Emotion and Intrigue
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is both emotional and intriguing. The book is written in a first-person narrative, with Monique Grant recounting Evelyn Hugo’s story. This narrative choice allows readers to feel a personal connection to both Monique and Evelyn, as they navigate their own personal struggles.
Reid’s prose is evocative and descriptive, bringing the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to life. Her writing captures the emotions of the characters in a way that feels authentic and relatable. The dialogue is sharp and witty, adding depth to the characters’ interactions.
The pacing of the book is also well-executed, with the story unfolding at a steady pace. The book is divided into chapters that alternate between Monique’s present-day life and Evelyn’s past, creating a sense of suspense and anticipation. Reid’s writing style keeps readers engaged and invested in the story from beginning to end.
The Setting: A Glimpse into the Golden Age of Hollywood
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is set in the glamorous world of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood. The setting adds to the allure and intrigue of the story, as readers are transported to a time when movie stars were larger than life and scandals were kept hidden behind closed doors.
Reid’s vivid descriptions of the Hollywood landscape, from the lavish parties to the opulent mansions, paint a picture of a world filled with excess and indulgence. The setting serves as a backdrop for the characters’ ambitions and desires, highlighting the price they must pay for success.
The Golden Age of Hollywood is often romanticized, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo offers a more nuanced portrayal of the era. It explores the dark underbelly of fame and the sacrifices that must be made to maintain an image in the public eye. The setting adds depth to the story and enhances its themes of love, betrayal, and the price of fame.
The Historical Context: How Real-Life Events Shaped the Story
While The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a work of fiction, it is influenced by real-life events and figures from Hollywood’s history. The book draws inspiration from the lives of iconic actresses like Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Marilyn Monroe.
The character of Evelyn Hugo is loosely based on these actresses, who were known for their beauty, talent, and scandalous personal lives. Reid incorporates elements of their stories into Evelyn’s narrative, creating a character who is both familiar and unique.
The book also touches on important historical events, such as the civil rights movement and the sexual revolution of the 1960s. These events shape the characters’ experiences and add depth to the story. Reid seamlessly weaves these real-life events into the narrative, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.
The Reception: Critical Acclaim and Reader Reviews
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. It was praised for its compelling characters, intricate plot, and exploration of complex themes. The book was a New York Times bestseller and was included on several “best of” lists for 2017.
Critics lauded Taylor Jenkins Reid’s ability to create fully realized characters that felt authentic and relatable. The book’s exploration of love, betrayal, and the price of fame resonated with readers, who praised its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes.
Reader reviews were also overwhelmingly positive, with many readers expressing their love for the book’s engaging plot and well-developed characters. The book has a strong following and continues to receive praise from readers who appreciate its blend of romance, historical fiction, and drama.
The Author: An Introduction to Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is an American author known for her contemporary fiction novels. She began her writing career as a playwright before transitioning to novels. Her debut novel, “Forever, Interrupted,” was published in 2013 and received critical acclaim.
Reid’s writing is characterized by its emotional depth, relatable characters, and exploration of complex themes. She has a talent for creating compelling narratives that resonate with readers. In addition to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Reid has written several other successful novels, including “Daisy Jones & The Six” and “Malibu Rising.”
Why The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a Must-Read for Fans of Romance and Historical Fiction.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read for fans of romance and historical fiction. The book offers a captivating tale of love, loss, and Hollywood glamour, with a unique narrative structure that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the themes explored in the book are thought-provoking and emotionally charged.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing style is evocative and engaging, adding depth to the story and enhancing the overall impact of the book. The setting of 1950s and 1960s Hollywood adds to the allure and intrigue of the story, while the incorporation of real-life events and figures from Hollywood’s history adds depth and authenticity.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has received critical acclaim and has a strong following among readers. It is a book that resonates with audiences, offering a compelling narrative that explores complex themes in a relatable way. For fans of romance and historical fiction, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a must-read.
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FAQs
What is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a novel written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was published in 2017 and tells the story of a fictional Hollywood actress named Evelyn Hugo and her seven marriages.
Who is the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is Taylor Jenkins Reid. She is an American author known for her novels such as Daisy Jones & The Six, Maybe in Another Life, and One True Loves.
What is the genre of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction novel with elements of romance and drama. It is set in the 1950s to 1980s and explores the life of a Hollywood actress during that time period.
What is the plot of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the life of a fictional Hollywood actress named Evelyn Hugo. The story is told through the perspective of Monique Grant, a journalist who is tasked to write Evelyn’s biography. Throughout the novel, Evelyn reveals her seven marriages and the secrets behind them, as well as her rise to fame and the sacrifices she made to maintain her career.
What are the themes of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo explores themes such as love, sacrifice, fame, and identity. It also touches on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, racism, and sexism in Hollywood during the 1950s to 1980s.
What is the reception of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo?
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has received critical acclaim since its publication. It was a New York Times Bestseller and was named one of the best books of 2017 by several publications. It has also been optioned for a television series adaptation.
