The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

• Title The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

• Author Taylor Jenkins Reid

• Genre Fiction

• Publication Date Ongoing

Summary

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a captivating historical fiction novel. The story unfolds through two timelines:

1. Present Timeline: Monique Grant, a struggling journalist, receives an offer to interview the enigmatic 1960s Hollywood starlet, Evelyn Hugo. The interview focuses on fame, scandal, and love.
2. Past Timeline: Evelyn Hugo, born into a poor Cuban family in Hell’s Kitchen, rises to stardom in Hollywood. She navigates relationships with each of her seven husbands, revealing secrets, heartbreak, and her true love—a fellow actress named Celia St. James12.

Central Conflict

The central conflict in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo revolves around Evelyn’s desire for fame, love, and autonomy. As she navigates her relationships with seven husbands, she grapples with the sacrifices she must make to maintain her stardom and protect her secrets. The tension between her public persona and private struggles creates a captivating narrative.

Main Character

The main character in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is, unsurprisingly, Evelyn Hugo herself. She’s a complex and fascinating woman—a legendary Hollywood actress with a tumultuous personal life. Her journey through fame, love, and secrets is at the heart of the novel.

Plot

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the captivating life of Evelyn Hugo, a legendary Hollywood actress. The novel intertwines two timelines:

1. Present Day: Struggling journalist Monique Grant is tasked with interviewing Evelyn. Their conversations reveal Evelyn’s tumultuous past, her seven marriages, and the secrets she’s kept hidden.
2. Past: We delve into Evelyn’s rise to fame, her relationships with each husband, and her enduring love for fellow actress Celia St. James.

Setting

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is set in several captivating locations:

1. Los Angeles: The glitzy heart of Hollywood, where Evelyn Hugo’s rise to fame and her tumultuous relationships unfold.
2. New York City: Specifically, Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan, where Evelyn grows up in a poor Cuban family.
3. Southern Coast of Spain: This picturesque locale plays a significant role in Evelyn’s life story, spanning from the 1940s to the 2010s12.

Themes

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo delves into several powerful themes and motifs:

1. Ambition vs. Morality: Evelyn Hugo, the novel’s titular protagonist, grapples with choices between career advancement and personal values. Her use of her body as a source of power highlights this tension12.
2. Femininity, Sexuality, and Power: Evelyn strategically employs her feminine beauty and sexuality to navigate a male-dominated world. . Her early-career successes often hinge on using her appearance to her advantage12.
3. Truth and Identity: Evelyn’s desire for a favorable public image leads her to lie about herself and her relationships. Her secrecy about her romantic relationship with Celia St. James affects her identity as a bisexual woman.
4. Family: The novel emphasizes that strong family bonds aren’t solely based on blood relations. Evelyn’s connections transcend mere biology, highlighting the depth of human connection12.

Author Narrative style

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is narrated in the first person, primarily from the perspective of Monique Grant, the journalist interviewing Evelyn. This intimate point of view allows readers to delve into Evelyn’s life, emotions, and secrets as she recounts her past. The novel’s narrative style is engaging, drawing readers into the glitzy world of Hollywood and the complexities of Evelyn’s relationships.

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Conclusion

Certainly! In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, the novel concludes with a poignant revelation. Monique Grant, the journalist interviewing Evelyn, discovers that Evelyn is dying of breast cancer. Understanding Evelyn’s intentions, Monique realizes that Evelyn plans to end her life with dignity. The book ends with an article by Monique, announcing Evelyn’s biography and revealing that Evelyn was bisexual1.