Is “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” Worth The Hype?

A review of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s popular 2017 novel

Photo of the cover for “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” taken by the author

I’ve seen The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo everywhere from social media to bookstore endcaps to book-related emails promoting buzzworthy reads. Although I don’t seek out historical fiction, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel intrigued me. Along with the high ratings, the premise of an enigmatic movie star reminded me of one of my favorite novels, The Life and Death of Sophie Stark, featuring a troubled filmmaker, so I hoped Evelyn Hugo would be similarly enjoyable.

Aging Hollywood movie star Evelyn Hugo chooses an unknown reporter, Monique Grant, for the job of writing her biography. Although Monique questions why the famous actress has picked her, it’s an opportunity she can’t refuse. Evelyn tells her story of her illustrious career and seven marriages dating from 1950s Los Angeles to the 1980s when she stepped away from the spotlight. The more Monique hears, the more she discovers her personal connection to Evelyn.

“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things.” — Taylor Jenkins Reid, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”