Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a timeless novel that has some of the best prose I've read.
Despite being an avid bookworm, I must admit I am a bit behind the times with reading Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It grew in popularity last year on social media and I kept seeing it recommended on TikTok, but I never actually got around to reading it.
It's been on my bookshelf for a while but after reading lots of hockey romances (which are amazing by the way), I decided to read Seven Husbands to make my brain work a bit more. And boy do I regret not reading it earlier.
This year I'm trying to review every book I've read and because I loved Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo so much and think it's a novel everyone should read, I thought I'd do a blog post of my review.
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Interview/biographical novel: 10/10
Historical romance: 9/10
Forbidden romance: 9/10
Tragedy: 9.5/10
Taylor Jenkins Reid is a one-of-a-kind author, who captivates you like no other and leaves you reeling from her work days after.
That is how I felt reading Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It was my first book by Taylor and I’ve never read anything like it. It is a truly unique novel that not only demonstrates the highest quality of prose and characterisation but essential lessons in life everyone should be aware of and learn.
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo tells the tale of Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood icon from the 50s to the 80s, who is ready to tell the world her truth. Evelyn hires Monique from the magazine Vivant under false pretences and persuades her to write her biography.
The novel itself is split into parts focusing on the development of Evelyn’s life, detailing how she came to Hollywood and her career right up till the point she decides to leave. Each part focuses on a different marriage as well, detailing the seven husbands of Evelyn and also the impact the this interview has on Monique.
It's written in an interview/biographical style, which Taylor has mastered. This novel is the first I've read written in this style and I wasn't quite sure about it at the beginning. However, once you start reading you honestly get hooked and you won't be able to put it down. The changes between the interview and Evelyn's telling of her life are not perplexing or difficult to understand - it is seamless.
Taylor's portrayal of Evelyn’s story makes each and every character and the entire narrative feel real. It almost felt as if Evelyn Hugo was an actual part of our history. Taylor executed it beautifully.
Evelyn is a character you grow to love but also dislike at points, but that is what makes her human. As a reader, we see where she excels but also her flaws. Evelyn is ruthlessly ambitious, going after what she wants no matter what. She's not afraid to use her assets to her advantage and can be mean sometimes, but Evelyn is also fearless, loyal till the end and a survivor.
Monique is completely different to Evelyn at the beginning of the novel. She is quite timid and not as fearless to go after her ambitions, unlike Evelyn. However, throughout the novel we see the path Monique is on alter and her character arc begin to take place. Monique learns a lot from the interview and by the end of the novel, she is her own person, taking her life into her own hands and not letting anyone get in her way.
Not only is Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo a novel detailing Evelyn’s glamorous and scandalous life, but it also features everything you need from a romance novel: soulmates, die-hard love, passionate love, forbidden romance, heartbreak and tragedy, and scandal.
It has everything.
The emotions dropped off the page and the way each character’s emotions are conveyed is exquisite. None of the characters felt superfluous or unrealistic. They could all be very real celebrities and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. It honestly felt like a true celebrity story.
The writing of each relationship, the depth and detail of the characters, the plot twists, the pacing, and the seamless flow of it all were perfect.
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a classic and literary perfection. If the plot and characters don’t captivate you, the prose will. It’s not only a novel to indulge in and enjoy, but it’s also one to learn from and I for one, will continue to love and reread this novel.
If you've read Seven Husbands, let me what you thought of it. If you haven't read it, give it a go because you won't be disappointed.
Until next time...
(Click the cover to buy the book from Amazon UK)