The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Evelyn Hugo, the most glamorous actress of the Hollywood era, is finally telling her story. Finally, the public will get to hear it all. Her rise from scraping by in a backwater town to dominating Los Angeles. The story of her seven husbands. The scandal, the luxury, the struggles- everything.

The person she has chosen to narrate her life is, unexpectedly, Monique Grant, a struggling reporter. Monique is stunned by the opportunity, but also delighted. But Evelyn has chosen her for a reason.

As Evelyn tells her story, Monique will see just why.

This book is tagged as period drama, or historical fiction. It portrays the 1950’s to 1980’s era in Hollywood, the era of Marilyn Monroe. (In fact, Evelyn actually vaguely resembles Monroe) 

So my first impression of this book was stylish. It was quite decent. I’m a bit more of a fantasy/ science fiction person myself, and this book was part of my attempt to diversify. It didn’t make a huge impression, but I guess I liked it. Only later, upon reading the author’s other novel, Malibu Rising, did I go back to it. (Malibu Rising was terrible enough to make anything look better by comparison.)

I appreciated it better the second time. I got a better idea of how hard it is to write historical fiction that appeals to this generation while fitting the time period. I’ve read sixteenth century orphans who spout twenty-first century values, so this was fairly good. 

A lot of people found the plot line repetitive, but I thought it fine. It doesn’t have a particular climax or anything, it is more character driven than plot driven. It gives you a panorama of Evelyn’s career and marriages. There is drama and there is gossip, but a steady stream of it through the pages, not in quick outbursts. Evelyn is a canny character, street smart and media smart, who can control her image most of the time.

Evelyn is a really well-written character. The author doesn’t try to make her likeable. And I actually like her more for it. Authors generally soften their characters’ edges, but Reid doesn’t. Evelyn is ambitious and gritty.

“Harry was like me. Harry was in it for the glory. He was in it because it kept him busy, kept him important, kept him sharp.”

She has done what is necessary to keep herself and those she loves afloat in the churning film scene. She is unrepentant, even though she wishes things could have been different. Je ne regrette rien. 

Other than that, the writing style is very frank, no fluff. It is blunt, and written as if Evelyn is talking straight at you. There is no grace as such to it, but is has gloss and verve, and very “quotable” dialogues, and is just stylish, because of the subject matter.

“But the truth is, praise is just like an addiction. The more you get it, the more of it you need just to stay even.”

This novel addresses feminism and racism, but isn’t too pedantic about it.

Taylor Jenkin Reid is truly gifted. Her books are plain addictive, even though her plots are not conventionally gripping

This novel is perfect for a slightly stormy, gray day at the beach.

Overall 4/5.