Published: June 13th 2017 by Atria Books
Source: Local Library
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+
Synopsis: 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 in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn’s life unfolds through the decades—revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love—Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn’s story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
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Spoiler Free Review:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo recounts the story of Evelyn Hugo, renowned actress and celebrity known for excessive husbands and her glamorous life. This book is marketed as “chick lit” but I think it could easily be literary fiction. Once I started the story of Evelyn Hugo, I was immediately hooked on her life story. This book wasn’t just addictive, it was heartbreaking and intense and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It’s rare to find books that focus morally grey individuals and Evelyn Hugo is as complicated as any other human being. To me, she isn’t just a character in a fictional story, she jumps off the page and often times I tricked myself into thinking that Evelyn Hugo is actually a real human being which to me is proof of a well written story.
The main story line revolves around the entirety of Evelyn Hugo’s life, but in particular, it focuses on her relationships. The title says “seven husbands” which is ironic in a sense considering the story behind it. It was interesting to see how a whole line of people led up to a single person and the way the media perceived it. People often point out how perceptive reporters are, but this story explored how the media was ignorant to what was right in front of them.
The story was expectantly glamorous and included all of the decadence of the wealthy but also included the struggle of reaching to the top while being a POC. Evelyn Hugo is Cuban and early on in her career, she dyes her hair blonde. We see her abandoning her heritage for an exclusively white career. Evelyn Hugo is also bisexual which I feel is important to mention as well (I think sexuality spoilers are bullshit). In general, what sets Evelyn Hugo’s story apart is how she was able to get there, being Cuban and a survivor.
Monique doesn’t play as important of a role in the story, but her’s is intertwined with Evelyn’s story and the way in which it happens just might catch you by surprise. Overall, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is absolutely one of my favorites of this year. Evelyn Hugo is such a morally ambiguous and intriguing character. I was nearly in tears by the end which is always a clear sign that this was an exceptional novel.
Rating: 5/5
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