The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A gist sans spoilers

 

7HoEH

I completed the darling of Novels of recent times “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”. I took 2 days to complete this 400-page novel. Needless to say, the book was an easy read, gripping, riveting and scandalous. I wanted to drop the book halfway through but I kept reading. There were speed breakers in between where the book was a drag but at other parts, it was able to hook you. However, I enjoyed the book for its creativity, boldness, and the life of Evelyn Hugo which encompassed aspiration, stardom, charisma, love, deceit, rejection, heartbreak, success, conflict, and an array of emotions.

The book starts off by introducing Evelyn in her old age who reaches out for a journalist from a famous tabloid. The chosen female writer named Monique Grant is surprised by this request for she is hardly successful or noticed in public for her work. Still, she has been specifically named in the email from the team of Evelyn Hugo who wants her to interview Evelyn for the upcoming fundraising auction of her all-time famous dresses.

Monique is surprised and skeptical about her appointment. Nevertheless, she visits Evelyn for the piece. During the visit, she comes to know that she has been chosen by Evelyn not for a piece but she wants Monique to write a biography of her life that she wants to be published at a certain time. The profits of the book would all be Monique’s. Monique is startled and grows skeptical about the catch. But she agrees and does the task required of her.

During the course of 2 weeks that follow Evelyn opens her heart about her life starting from her teenage years onwards to making it to Hollywood and then to becoming a star who eventually wins Oscar. She goes on to be the most sought actress for sexuality and a gifted body that she portrays in the most sensual manner in the films that engrave her place as the most successful Hollywood actress.

The story tells the struggles of Evelyn through her failed marriages and flop movies to finding her place in Hollywood. It talks about her unconventional love story that she hides from the world for safeguarding her and her lover’s interests. The actions lead to complicated situations resulting in heartbreaks. She has to form alliances to be successful and the marriages become a way of managing her life and career.

She has a best friend in the industry named Harry Cameron who ends up being her 5^th husband and also father to her daughter. Harry was the one who launched her in Hollywood and the one who never took advantage of her as others did for getting her a place in the industry.

The book develops characters vividly but it is the ability to show the richness of life events of the central characters that the book excels. The writer subtly places the opinions and thought frames through dialogues. Some of the quotes are plainly written but send across the truth effectively.

The book is a drag around 100-150 pages but rapidly builds the tempo after that. The language is plain and a fast read. The book has many curves that lead down to sadness but sprinkles hope and joy in moments where one least expects.

Towards the end the reason for choosing Monique as her biographer becomes evident which is a shock for Monique. She is at crossroads where she takes the story or leaves it. She is awed by Evelyn and despises her equally. This is all that I can share without leading trails of Spoilers. Read it if you enjoy reading Historical Fiction.

The later part of the book is emotionally charged and moves you. I liked the book and would give it 4 stars for the wonderful story. I won’t ever read it again but I am satisfied that I put my hands on it. I was neither happy nor disgusted at the end of the day when I finished it after reading nonstop. It felt like I gave 1 day of my life to a novel by Taylor Jenkins Read. So be it. I gained nothing. But it entertained me. I am a Non-Fiction person. I better stay there. Fiction is good but not fulfilling for me unless it is War and Peace.