The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is the latest novel to be checked off my to be read list. Lately I’ve been making it a point to read more from my favorite authors and check all of their books off my to be read list. 

I recently finished all of Riley Sager’s novels, and it made perfect sense to put the effort into Taylor Jenkins Reid books next. I recently read Daisy Jones and The Six, and it still sticks in my mind. Needless to say, I had very high expectations going into The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. 

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This is a book that I had previously tried to read a couple of times and couldn’t quite get into, so I never made it past the first chapter and then had to start over. I don’t know why this happened in the past. Maybe I just needed to be in the right space to read it? It totally happens. Sometimes a book just isn’t ready to be read by me at any given time. Other times, it’s just waiting for me to realize it is the perfect time to read it. 

Books are interesting that way. I’ve been reading We Were the Mulvaneys over the years, and it speaks to me differently as I get older. Even though that book is a favorite, there are times I don’t enjoy it the way I know I should be, and I put it down and wait for the right time. Apparently The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was the same way, I just needed to wait for the right time to read it. 

“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things.” 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I’ve also been noticing on social media that there have been more people talking about this book and asking if they are the only person who hated it. This obviously made me curious about it, because I didn’t have an opinion on it yet. It made me want to read it more so that I could join in on the discussion and talk about it with other readers. 

It is always fascinating to me how the worst reviews can make someone want to read a book. I’m the type of person who needs to find out if my opinion is similar or completely opposite. Not to mention the old saying of, any publicity is good publicity. 

Have you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Come on in and let me tell you about it! 

About The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

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. 

Thoughts on The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is, ‘you’re safe with me’ – that’s intimacy.” 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo we meet Evelyn Hugo and Monique Grant. Monique is the one taking Evelyn’s story to write a biography once Evelyn has passed. It was a bit slow going at first. I wondered who Monique was and why Evelyn would only tell her story to Monique. Monique really was a nobody in the world, so why her? Why was Evelyn so set on it only being Monique? I had to find out. 

I was enjoying the book and would have called it a four star read and then, boom. That moment when I had to continue reading and I was hooked by the quote below. It had me at that point. Which was brilliant writing, in my opinion. Because I wasn’t expecting a twist in this story. Not a shocking one, anyway. 

“I have no idea that in less than a week, Evelyn Hugo will finish her story, and I’ll find out what this has all been about, and I will hate her so much that I’ll be truly afraid I might kill her.” 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

At this point, I was fully invested. There was obviously some sort of twist coming, and I desperately needed to know what it was. That was the big push that kept me reading. This isn’t normal for Taylor Jenkins Reid books. There is always something that ties everything together, but never a shocking plot twist. 

This book reminded me so much of Daisy Jones and The Six. I realize Daisy Jones came after Evelyn Hugo. But that’s the order I read them in. What I mean when I say that is Evelyn Hugo was a brilliantly written character. So much so that she felt real to me, and I felt the same way reading Daisy Jones. 

Evelyn evoked a lot of emotions. She was devious and manipulative, and cold-hearted in so many ways. There were moments I wanted to bitch slap her into next Tuesday for being so calculating, and other moments where I wanted to give her a hug. She also has depth and an incredible capacity to love. She was a beautifully flawed human and well-written. 

Monique seemed like an under-developed character, but a big part of that was Evelyn took all of the attention and didn’t leave room for Monique. The few moments of character development that we did get to see were absolutely amazing though. Where you could see the mark Evelyn left on Monique. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo had so many layers, and it was brilliant. Everything was thought out and beautifully written. There were no plot holes, nothing left unexplained, nothing meaningless to fill pages in it. Every single word counted and had an impact in this story. That takes a very talented author to accomplish, and I would expect nothing less from Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

I rarely say this because I can nitpick even the best books, but this one was perfectly written. It was complete, nothing was missing, and it was exactly what it should have been. 

Final Thoughts on The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

“Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.” 

Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

I’m calling The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a five star read. It is one that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, bought for others in my family, and will absolutely read again a second time in the future. 

I was honestly worried that it would be boring, and this would be the one story that ruined my opinion of Taylor Jenkins Reid and her writing. Which may be one of the reasons I held off on reading it for so long. Because how can one woman marry seven men and keep the story interesting? I fully expected it would be a bore by number four at the most. But it wasn’t. I was fully invested in the entire story all the way through. 

I will say that after reading it, I’m a bit shocked that people disliked the book. I know reading is subjective, and I’ve hated my fair share of books that everyone else raved about. But this one surprised me in that I have a hard time seeing how others disliked it. In this case, I agree with the majority of readers who rave about this book and say it is amazing. Because it is exactly that. 

After reading Daisy Jones and now The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I am amazed at the brilliant way Taylor Jenkins Reid tackles darker or problematic subjects such as sexuality, race, driving while intoxicated, and even abortion. It was so positive, and even sensible. 

I personally don’t think you can go wrong with any of the novels from Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Daisy Jones will likely always be my favorite. But The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a very close second on my favorites list. This is another book that will stick with me long after I’ve moved on and read other books. 

After reading both of those books, I’m even more motivated to read all of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels and check them off my to be read list. Because books like this are what keeps me reading and not falling into a reading slump. I need books that are going to make a mark on my soul. 

My only concern now is wondering if Taylor Jenkins Reid can create comparatively amazing books to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones. I’m always waiting for the one book that I’ll hate with every fiber of my being. Will it happen? I need to read more of her books and find out. I’m hoping my opinion will continue with, you can’t go wrong with any of her books. 

Discussion 

Have you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or any other writing from bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

Discussion Questions 

• Each husband’s section opens with an illustrative moniker (“Poor Ernie Diaz,” “Goddamn Don Adler,” “Agreeable Robert Jamison”). Discuss the meaning and significance of some of these descriptions. How do they set the tone for the section that follows? Did you read these characterizations as coming from Evelyn, Monique, an omniscient narrator, or someone else? 
• Of the seven husbands, who was your favorite and why? Who surprised you the most? 
• Monique notes that hearing Evelyn Hugo’s life story has inspired her to carry herself differently than she would have before. In what ways does Monique grow over the course of the novel? Discuss whether Evelyn also changes by the end of her time with Monique, and if so, what spurs the evolution? 
• On page 147, Monique says, “I have to ‘Evelyn Hugo’ Evelyn Hugo.” What does it mean to “Evelyn Hugo”? Can you think of a time when you might be tempted to “Evelyn Hugo”? 
• Did you trust Evelyn to be a reliable narrator as you were reading? Why, or why not? Did your opinion on this change at all by the conclusion, and if so, why?
• What role do the news, tabloid, and blog articles interspersed throughout the book serve in the narrative? What, if anything, do we learn about Evelyn’s relationship to the outside world from them? 
• At several points in the novel, such as pages 82-83 and 175-182, Evelyn tells her story through the second person, “you.” How does this kind of narration affect the reading experience? Why do you think she chooses these memories to recount in this way? 
• How do you think Evelyn’s understanding and awareness of sexuality were shaped by her relationship with Billy – the boy who worked at the five and dime store? How does her sensibility evolve from this initial encounter? As she grows older, to what extent is Evelyn’s attitude toward sex influenced by those around her? 
• On page 54, Evelyn uses the saying “all’s well that ends well” as part of her explanation for not regretting her actions. Do you think Evelyn truly believes this? Using examples from later in her life, discuss why or why not. How do you think the idea relates to the similar but more negatively associated phrase “the ends justify the means”? 
• Evelyn offers some firm words of wisdom throughout her recounting of her life, such as “Be wary of men with something to prove” on page 77, “Never let anyone make you feel ordinary” on page 208, and “It is OK to grovel for something you really want” on page 192. What is your favorite piece of advice from Evelyn? Were there any assertions you strongly disagreed with? 
• Several times, Evelyn mentions having cosmetic surgery. What was your reaction to this? How do these decisions jibe with the value system and ethical code  that she seems to live by? Why do you think Evelyn continues to dye her hair at the end of her life? 
• Review the scenes on pages 199 and 348, in which Evelyn relays memories of conversing in Spanish after years without speaking it. Discuss the role language plays in her understanding of who she is. In what ways does her relationship to her Cuban identity parallel her experiences with her sexuality, and in what ways does it differ? 
• If you could meet and interview one celebrity at the end of their life, who would it be? What would you ask them? 

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. 

Purchasing The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

• If you are interested in buying the paperback version of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, click here.
• For the hardcover version, click here. 
• Click here for the Kindle version.
• Click here for my favorite Kindle I currently own.

More from Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Did you enjoy my review of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Need another Great Taylor Jenkins Reid novel? Here are my favorites! 

• Forever Interrupted 
• After I Do 
• Maybe in Another Life 
• One True Loves 
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 
• Evidence of the Affair
• Daisy Jones and The Six 
• Malibu Rising 
• Carrie Soto Is Back 
• Atmosphere 

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