Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the story of a mysterious glamorous movie star Evelyn Hugo, who has been a beloved star of the silver screen for decades, and is finally ready to reveal the truth about her life and loves. Evelyn Hugo is a complex and compelling character who invites readers into her life and all its secrets.
Evelyn’s life began in Havana, Cuba and she arrived in America with only her wits and beauty to propel her forward. After a brief stint in the theater, she uses her beauty and talent to make her way into Hollywood, quickly becoming a rising star. As she climbs the ranks of Hollywood royalty, she finds that she needs to create a mask for herself to protect her from the good and bad aspects of fame. As she does so, she finds that her mask enables her to redefine herself and gain a freedom she has never experienced before.
At the center of the novel, is of course, Evelyn’s seven husbands. Though they appear to be an integral part of the story, the actual details of the relationships remain unknown to the reader until the end. In fact, the reader is never told who any of the husbands were, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about the seven partners in Evelyn’s life.
The book is ultimately a journey of self-discovery that follows Evelyn as she looks back at her life. In the process she comes to terms with her own identity and realizes that she needs to take control of her own destiny. As she does so, the book introduces us to a host of fascinating characters, presents an engaging look at Hollywood, and offers a glimpse at the complex and ever-changing definition of beauty and love.
The novel offers a vibrant and layered look at a woman who defied the strictures of her time and chose to carve her own path in life. Through it all, readers get to know Evelyn in all her complexity, from her passionate love affairs with men, to her complicated friendships with women, and finally to her complicated relationship with herself. This gem of a novel is a tribute to a powerful woman who isn’t afraid to take control of her own life and create her own destiny.
Taylor Jenkins Reid has written a deeply moving and exciting book that celebrates the true complexity of life and love. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo perfectly captures the beauty of a woman in search of her own identity as she navigates the ups and downs of fame and love. The book is well-worth the read and is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for life’s unexpected twists.
