“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was recommended to me by a friend as one of those books that you just have to read. And while it’s an engaging story and very well written, I felt something was missing. Something I only figured out once I got to the end.
Ageing 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?
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 nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a very well-written book. The story is compelling, and the characters feel real. But through my time reading it, I felt someone was missing. I couldn't put my finger on what, though, until the very end.
The main problem with Evelyn's story is that there isn't much in the way of conflict because we begin the story knowing she is going to come out on top.
Yes, we know she had troubles. Broken marriages. Abuse partners. A misogynistic, homophobic, and racist industry that forces Evelyn to create a character rather than allowing her to be who she really is. But she's a Hollywood icon. A composite of many different real-life movie stars we've all known about our whole lives. Not someone we can sympathise with and relate to.
But there is someone in the story we could relate to. And this, at least for me, was what was missing from this story.
Monique.
Monique is a young woman struggling to force a career while her marriage collapses, whose life is transformed when Evelyn Hugo - seemingly at random - chooses her to write her biography.
And she's actually relatable.
What I would have liked to see is more of Monique in the story. Rather than basically having her as an excuse to hear Evelyn's story, I wanted to see how that story affected her. What must it be like listening to a multiple millionaire celebrity, loved by all for over six decades, complain about their life while you have to go home to a tiny apartment, a failed marriage, and a boss who openly didn't want to give you this opportunity?
This is what this story was missing. A little contrast between the Hollywood icon and someone like you or me.
I will, however, cede the point that there are people in the world who might relate far more to Evelyn and her story. This is, ultimately, the story of a woman who was never free to be open about their sexuality and be with the love of their life. And this isn't something I've experienced. If I were not a straight white man, it's very possible that I would feel far more of a connection with the character. And so perhaps this is why the person who recommended this book to me - who happens to be a queer woman - loved it so much more than I did.
I didn't dislike The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It's a good story, well told. It's just not one that has anything particularly new to tell. At least if you have any real knowledge of the time period it's depicting. I have a suspicion that there are those out there who will feel far more of a connection to the character of Evelyn Hugo than I did. But from how strongly it was recommended to me, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.
Trigger Warnings: Sexual assault
