Book Review Rewind: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

   The Hollywood Biography. A place where the rich and famous settle down near the end of their career and write a tell-all to the public. I have read memoirs and biographies of legends such as Carol Burnett and Carrie Fisher in the past couple of years and I have to say I loved the books immensely. To settle down and read about a celebrity's life and immerse me in their lifestyle is eye-opening and often some stories resonate with me. But to read a biography of a fake celebrity intrigues me all the more. 

    The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It is published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. In this star-studded biography, we meet Evelyn Hugo, a star of the silver screen in the golden age of Hollywood. Infamously known for marrying seven times, she is loved worldwide for her often daring and controversial work and glamorous lifestyle. Hugo, now almost eighty years old, is ready to tell her story. Under false pretenses, she requests that a young, up-and-coming writer be chosen to do an article on a charity fundraiser that she is participating in. The writer, Monique Grant, is known for an article she had written on a person's right to die. It was a well-written piece that delved into a person's right to end their life on their own terms while facing mortality due to disease. Hugo contacts Vivant magazine, where Grant works. The magazine offers her more seasoned writers to tackle the story. Hugo has one stipulation: No Grant, no story. Soon Monique Grant walks through Evelyn's door ready to do the charity article. But Hugo surprises the woman with her true intentions. Monique Grant will be given the exclusive rights to write Hugo's biography. 

  Monique is surprised by this news. If she does not produce an article about the charity fundraiser, then she could be fired. With her pending divorce from her husband, she is not in a position to be unemployed. She agrees to write the book, regardless. If she can release the biography soon, she would be set for life. Any publisher wanting to print it would pay her top dollar. As Grant listens to Evelyn Hugo tell her life story, she is introduced to a young starlet who had to hide her identity of not only being Cuban-American but also a bisexual woman. Hugo's romance with co-star, Celia St. James, is not the only revelation. Behind her many marriages lies a world of deception, death, and heartbreak. And one revelation from the past will change Monique's life forever.

  The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo surprised me in the best way possible. I was introduced to complicated, three-dimensional characters that spoke to me on many levels. The ups and downs of Hugo's life and the struggles she faced and conquered were inspirational. It was Reid's handling of Evelyn Hugo's love for Celia St. James that was the star of this biography. In a time when homosexuality was intensely frowned upon, Evelyn Hugo defied the odds to be with the love of her life. It was a love story that was epic and lasted decades, even through several break-ups. It was uplifting and sweet and showed just what two people will do to be with their soul mate. This positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community was thoughtful and included many historic moments, including the Stonewall Riots. The fact that Evelyn Hugo was bisexual should not be treated as a spoiler. It should be upfront since Hugo's life story is that of her quest to be with her true love. Positive representation should always be available and noted, especially in this day and age.  And trust that her sexuality is not the revelation in this book. The truly shocking revelation that happens had me floored, making for an explosive finale. 

     I read the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in part with the audio presentation that was performed by actresses, Alma Cuervo, Robin Miles, and Julia Whelan. Cuervo read Evelyn Hugo's story. Whelan read celebrity news articles. And Cuervo presented Monique's narrative. The three worked very well together to present this sweeping novel, which gave the story an extra dimension of realism. I was captivated by the way they read their parts. And Julia Whelan read the gossip articles like Hedda Hopper, with a wink in her eye and a smile on her face. The passion and drama were thick and conveyed perfectly by the cast. This is one trio I would love to see read another book. Full-cast audiobooks are always a fun way to read a book.

  In the end, the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a five-star read for me. I loved the intriguing characters and appreciated the way that Evelyn's love for Celia was portrayed. I always welcome books with positive LGBTQ+ representation on their pages. And Reid did this respectfully and with heart. Evelyn Hugo was a force to be reckoned with. She was strong, and smart, and gave her all for her family. She made me think strongly about family and the bonds we have with the ones that we love. The entire book was entertaining and delivered an ending that left me stunned. I will miss these characters and the effect they had on my heart. I highly recommend this novel and will cherish it for many years to come. And from this book, I come away with this: Be bold. Be brave. Be yourself.

  

Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.

 

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