What is the summary of the book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo written by Taylor Jenkins Reid? Information about the summary, characters of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid published in 2017. The book is a gripping and emotional story about love, fame, and identity that spans several decades. The novel explores themes of ambition, sexuality, race, and the price of success.
The story follows the life of Evelyn Hugo, a famous Hollywood actress who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. Evelyn is now in her seventies and is ready to reveal the truth about her glamorous and controversial life to a young journalist named Monique Grant. As Evelyn tells her story, the reader is transported back in time to experience her rise to fame and her many marriages.
The novel is structured around Evelyn’s marriages, and each chapter focuses on a different husband. Through Evelyn’s recollections, the reader is introduced to a fascinating cast of characters, including her first husband, a violent and abusive man named Ernie Diaz, her second husband, a handsome actor named Don Adler, and her fifth husband, a bisexual rock star named Harry Cameron.
As Evelyn recounts the highs and lows of her marriages, she also reveals secrets about her own sexuality and her complicated relationships with other women. The novel explores themes of love and loss, as well as the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry.
The story is also a meditation on the nature of identity and the power of storytelling. Through her interviews with Evelyn, Monique is forced to confront her own identity and her past, and she realizes that the stories we tell ourselves and others can have a profound impact on our lives.
Book Summary
The novel opens with Monique Grant, a young journalist living in New York City. Monique is surprised when she receives a call from a representative of Evelyn Hugo, a famous Hollywood actress who wants Monique to write her biography. Monique is initially hesitant, but she soon agrees to the job and travels to California to meet Evelyn.
When Monique meets Evelyn, she is immediately struck by her presence. Evelyn is a beautiful and charismatic woman in her seventies, with a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp wit. Evelyn tells Monique that she wants her to write her biography because she is dying and wants to set the record straight about her life.
Evelyn’s life story is told through a series of flashbacks, as she recounts her rise to fame and her many marriages. The novel is structured around Evelyn’s marriages, and each chapter focuses on a different husband.
Evelyn’s first husband was Ernie Diaz, a violent and abusive man who she married when she was just fifteen years old. Ernie was physically and emotionally abusive, and Evelyn eventually left him when she realized that he was never going to change.
Evelyn’s second husband was Don Adler, a handsome actor who was her co-star in several films. Don and Evelyn had a passionate but tumultuous relationship, and they eventually divorced when Don cheated on her with another woman.
Evelyn’s third husband was Rex North, a talented and charming playwright. Evelyn and Rex had a happy marriage, but it was cut short when Rex died of cancer.
Evelyn’s fourth husband was Miguel Marquez, a Spanish matador who she met while on vacation in Spain. Evelyn and Miguel had a passionate but short-lived affair, and they eventually divorced when Miguel became jealous of Evelyn’s career.
Evelyn’s fifth husband was Harry Cameron, a bisexual rock star who she met at a party. Evelyn and Harry had a tumultuous relationship, as Harry struggled with his own sexuality and drug addiction. They eventually divorced when Harry died of an overdose.
Evelyn’s sixth husband was Max Girard, a producer who helped her launch her own film studio. Evelyn and Max had a mutually beneficial relationship, but it was cut short when Max died in a plane crash.
Evelyn’s seventh and final husband was Robert Jamison, a man who she married for convenience rather than love. Robert was a closeted gay man who needed a beard to conceal his sexuality, and Evelyn agreed to marry him in exchange for a favor.
As Evelyn tells Monique about her marriages, she also reveals secrets about her own sexuality and her complicated relationships with other women. She explains that she was attracted to both men and women, but that she had to keep her true feelings hidden because of the times she lived in.
The novel also explores the challenges faced by women in the entertainment industry, as Evelyn recounts her struggles to be taken seriously as a producer and her battles with sexism and ageism.
Throughout the novel, Monique is also dealing with her own personal issues. She is going through a divorce and is struggling to come to terms with her father’s death. As Monique listens to Evelyn’s story, she begins to realize that there are parallels between their lives, and that the stories we tell ourselves and others can have a profound impact on our lives.
In the end, Evelyn reveals the truth about her life to Monique, including a shocking secret that she has kept hidden for decades. The novel ends with Monique reflecting on the power of Evelyn’s story, and the impact that it has had on her own life.
Overall, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a moving and thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes with sensitivity and nuance. The book has been praised for its compelling characters, its vivid and immersive setting, and its frank and honest portrayal of love, sexuality, and the entertainment industry.
Characters
The main characters in “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” are:
- Evelyn Hugo – a legendary Hollywood actress who hires Monique Grant to write her biography. She has been married seven times and has many secrets from her past that she is ready to reveal.
- Monique Grant – a young journalist who is chosen by Evelyn to write her biography. As she listens to Evelyn’s story, she begins to realize that there are parallels between their lives.
- Harry Cameron – Evelyn’s fifth husband, a bisexual rock star who struggled with drug addiction.
- Max Girard – Evelyn’s sixth husband, a producer who helped her launch her own film studio.
- Robert Jamison – Evelyn’s seventh and final husband, a man who she married for convenience rather than love.
- Celia St. James – a fellow actress and close friend of Evelyn’s, with whom she had a complicated relationship.
- Ernie Diaz – Evelyn’s first husband, a violent and abusive man who she married when she was just fifteen years old.
- Don Adler – Evelyn’s second husband, a handsome actor who was her co-star in several films.
- Rex North – Evelyn’s third husband, a talented and charming playwright who died of cancer.
- Miguel Marquez – Evelyn’s fourth husband, a Spanish matador who she met while on vacation in Spain.
