The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Romance
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Favourite Quote:
“People think that intimacy is about sex.
But intimacy is about truth.
When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me” – that’s intimacy.”
My Review:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was the first book I picked up this year. I didn’t know the existence of this book till I heard about it in some YouTube videos about recommended reads. The title intrigued me. When I read the book’s synopsis, I didn’t think this would become one of my favourite reads in a long time. It certainly is that good. I am glad I started my reading year with this one.
The storyline spans the seven marriages of the Hollywood diva Evelyn Hugo. Whether the marriages were out of love, obligations or seer strategy to get ahead in life, each time Evelyn Hugo got married, it nudged my mind to “judge” her. You wouldn’t be blamed if you took Evelyn as a shrewd woman who used men and marriage to her advantage, but as you read through her story, you can’t help but like her a bit and admire her a bit. As Evelyn goes through marriage one to seven, a beautiful love story evolves in the background that makes you cry and laugh a bit. In parallel, a beautiful friendship is seen standing strong against all odds.
The character of Elelyn is a complex one, but she gradually grows on you. The other characters help you like her. The storyline is layered with themes of love, friendship, loathing, and career aspirations. The narration is beautiful and keeps you engaged. However, in the last third of the novel, the marriages become predictable and a bit draggy to read. Although those moments are brief within the entire novel, the narration soon picks up again with a new twist in the plot.
This book introduced me to the writing of Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I am mighty impressed. I might pick up another of her books later this year.