Review of THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 3.5 Stars

This historical fiction book was an excellent choice for an audiobook.

In 2017 at 79 years of age, Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood legendary star, approaches a magazine about giving an interview.  Her condition is that it be conducted by Monique Grant, a young and inexperienced journalist.  When Monique arrives, she discovers that Evelyn actually wants Monique to write her biography to be published only after Evelyn dies.  Of course, Monique agrees, and what follows is Evelyn’s describing, in chronological order, her marriages to seven different men. 

Though the novel is divided into parts named after each husband, Evelyn’s story actually focuses more on her experiences navigating Hollywood from the 1950s to the 1980s to achieve stardom.  Not only must she contend with a male-dominated film industry, but she also has to cope with celebrity gossip magazines whose sensationalistic stories could destroy an acting career. 

Evelyn is an interesting, complicated, flawed character who lives on her own terms.  She is unapologetically ambitious and has no qualms about manipulating people to get what she wants.  As she admits, she is very selfish, though she can also be very generous.  Her courage, determination, and loyalty towards those she loves are admirable, yet her actions have consequences, sometimes tragic, for others.  She emerges as a character the reader will both admire and despise. 

A mystery throughout is why Evelyn choose Monique, a largely unknown journalist, to write her biography.  She could have chosen anyone she wanted to write a book that would undoubtedly be a best seller.  It is only at the end that Evelyn’s motivation is revealed.  This revelation is the only truly shocking twist; most of the rest of the novel is predictable.  That revelation is also emotionally devastating for Monique and leaves the reader reassessing his/her opinion of Evelyn. 

The book does address some serious issues like race, sexuality, misogyny, and homophobia so it is not pure fluff.  The style, however, makes it an effortless read which didn’t require me to analyze too much.  I prefer lighter fare for audiobooks, and this one certainly kept me entertained on morning walks.