The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Review

7 Marriages? 

Multiple scandals? 

All wrapped in secret until an average journalist is invited to document it? 

What’s this masterpiece by Taylor Jenkins Reid all about? 

Read on to find more. 

Summary

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a retired Old Hollywood star, who chooses a young journalist, Monique Grant, to write her authorized biography.

Through a series of interviews, Evelyn recounts her life story, from her difficult childhood to her rise to stardom in Hollywood. She reveals the truth behind her seven marriages, each one a strategic decision to help her navigate the ruthless world of show business.

As Evelyn unfolds her story, Monique becomes increasingly invested, not only in the book but also in Evelyn herself. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the hidden costs of fame. It also delves into the realities of being a woman in Hollywood during its golden age, where beauty and talent were often overshadowed by manipulation and control.

The novel culminates in a shocking revelation that not only redefines Evelyn’s life story but also ties her life to Monique’s in an unexpected way.

My Review

So, this book did ride high on the New York Times bestseller list for quite some time, which caught my attention. But let me be real with you, folks—it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. In fact, I found it downright dull.

Now, let’s dig into why. 

You see, a book can lose its spark for a multitude of reasons. 

In this case, it’s like the story’s stuck in first gear. There’s just not enough movement, not enough growth in the characters. 

Monique and Evelyn, our main players, stay pretty much the same throughout. Sure, they dabble in relationships, uncover some secrets, but it’s all surface-level stuff. There’s no deep transformation, no real shake-up in their core selves.

And let’s talk about those seven marriages Evelyn’s supposedly had. 

They’re not exactly what you’d call traditional. Most of them are strategic maneuvers, aimed at climbing the ladder of power and fame in Hollywood. Even the ones that aren’t about showbiz are still about control and privacy. 

It’s like a broken record, spinning the same theme over and over again.

But hold up, the author throws in a curveball halfway through, teasing some big revelation down the line. It’s a move to keep us hooked, but it doesn’t quite salvage the snooze-fest that came before it. 

And speaking of beginnings, this story kicks off like a daydream, tossing logic out the window. Evelyn randomly picks Monique to tell her life story, with little rhyme or reason. 

Sure, there’s a half-hearted attempt to explain it later, but it feels more like a cop-out than a genuine plot twist.

Now, let’s compare this to a real masterpiece, like “Great Expectations.” In that tale, chance encounters lead to meaningful connections, rooted in the characters’ identities. It’s a work of art, not a flight of fancy. And that’s where “Evelyn Hugo” falls short—it’s too caught up in its own fantasy world.

And don’t even get me started on the level of detail here. 

Evelyn recalls events from decades ago with unnerving precision. I mean, who remembers what color sofa they sat on 40 years ago? 

It’s just not realistic, folks. And speaking of realism, where’s the spotlight on acting? 

It’s supposed to be a major theme, but it’s sorely lacking in description or depth.

Now, let’s touch on identity, another supposed theme. Evelyn treats hers like a state secret, shrouded in mystery and deception. 

It’s an interesting angle, sure, but it’s buried beneath layers of cynicism. The author’s bleak view of humanity seeps through, painting most folks as fools and Evelyn as the only one with sense.

And as for the writing itself, there are glimmers of creativity, but it feels rushed, almost reckless. It’s more suited to essays than novels, in my opinion. 

So while there are some intriguing moments and themes, they’re drowned out by the book’s impatience and self-indulgence.

Now, if you’ve read this book and loved it, hey, more power to you. 

But for me, it’s a hard pass, unless you’re really into dissecting pop culture phenomena. So there you have it, folks—my take on “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” 

It’s a solid 2 stars out of 5 from my side.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, especially if you disagree. And if you haven’t read it yet, well, consider yourself warned. 

Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you in the next one.