The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Audio CD

English language

Published March 15, 2017 by Simon & Schuster Audio.

ISBN:: 978-1-5082-3662-7

(69 reviews)

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.

Written with Reid's signature talent for creating "complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is 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

11 editions

patchworkbunny reviewed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Review of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is partly inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's seven husbands as well as other starlets from the golden age of Hollywood. This is a sweeping story from 1950's Hell's Kitchen to present day New York via the unforgiving environment of Hollywood.

A Cuban immigrant, the fourteen-year-old Evelyn dreams of fame. She soon seduces her neighbour (husband one) for a ticket to Hollywood, where she learns to use her body to get what she wants. The story follows her career and her marriages up to the present day. She's abrasive and ambitious. I would say she's an unlikeable character but I liked her unlikeableness. It's who she is and she redeems herself through her love for her makeshift family.

I would have liked a bit more historical detail on the movie side, but it focuses mostly on the suffocating attitudes towards women and LGBT people and the double standards when it came to male and female actors. Evelyn must present a perfect impression to the tabloids and her marriages are often calculated to further her career.

For Evelyn is bisexual and her one true love wasn't any of her husbands, but a fellow actress. The two must hide their affections or risk being outed from Hollywood, or worse. They can't even hold hands in public. It's really a heartbreaking story of a love that was not allowed to blossom, of decisions made purely to protect their secret and deflect prying eyes. It soon becomes clear why Evelyn had so many husbands.

There are extracts of the tabloid news throughout, showing the differences between reality and what was reported. Often wildly different, but often exactly the narrative Evelyn was aiming for.

Evelyn's story is framed by that of Monique, who is considering her own divorce. She allows Evelyn to reflect on her life and add the occasional bit of judgement. Monique's decisions come to be shaped by the lessons she learns from Evelyn's life. I could have done without the big reveal of the connection between her and Evelyn, I don't think it was really needed. It's Evelyn's story after all.

It's a well-produced audiobook with three very well-suited narrators. Robin Miles reads Monique, who comes across as reliable and earnest. Alma Cuervo reads Evelyn, adding a cynical tone, and Julia Whelan reads the extracts of tabloid news in a very Hollywood-reporter style voice.

chefraven reviewed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Review of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Superb. At one point I gasped and said oh my god out loud. Rarely do I not see something coming from far away. In order for me to give a book five stars, I have to finish it, close the book and say WOW THAT WAS GREAT. I did and it was.