The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Book Review #7
of fame and truths hidden in plain sight-
“I spent half my time loving her and the other half hiding how much I loved her.”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is an emotional recounting of an extraordinary life, which reads as effortlessly as a gossip column.
The book follows the sensational life of a fictional Hollywood actress, who decides to lay bare all her secrets at the age of 79. As the title suggests, we learn the truth about Evelyn’s infamous love life, beyond its heteronormative media coverage. More poignantly, we see her growth as a self-assured woman in the film industry.
“My mother raised me to be polite, to be demure. I have long operated under the idea that civility is subservience. But it hasn’t gotten me very far, that type of kindness. The world respects people who think they should be running it. I’ve never understood that, but I’m done fighting it.”
Evelyn is an incredibly well-rounded, complex, and flawed character whose journey throws light on the sexism, misogyny, and hypocrisy prevalent in the show-business.
“You wonder what it must be like to be a man, to be so confident that the final say is yours.”
Among the several themes explored is the exploitative violence faced by women at the hands of powerful men in the entertainment industry, and creating one’s own space in a male-dominated culture.
“Be wary of men with something to prove.”
It comments on the invasive nature of media scrutiny, pitting women against each other, and how that affects celebrities’ personal lives.
“Make them pay you what they would pay a white man.”
Set in a time when the LGBTQIA+ community did not have socio-political rights in the USA, it divulges the struggles of queer life, particularly addressing the biphobic sentiments that alienate bisexual and pansexual identities.
“Don’t ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box. Don’t do that.”
The book beautifully captures desire, greed, ego, and the greater importance of love in our lives. It shows how the truth is often hidden in plain sight. It teaches you that time is precious and if given a chance at love, you must not waste it.
“Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile... You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.”
We often judge people and think that we might have acted differently in their position, but with the unique cards placed by destiny on one’s lap, what you do at the time of crisis comes down to the survival instincts. None of us know a person’s circumstances well enough to pass sweeping judgements.
“It’s always been fascinating to me how things can be simultaneously true and false, how people can be good and bad all in one, how someone can love you in a way that is beautifully selfless while serving themselves ruthlessly.”
Another theme is the beauty of friendships equivalent to any romantic relationship (a lesson echoed by A Little Life and Radio Silence).
“…if you have to go, then go. Go if it hurts. Go if it's time. Just go knowing you were loved, that I will never forget you, that you will live in everything I do. Go knowing I love you purely... Go knowing I told you all my secrets. Because you were my best friend.”
A perfect blend of pop-culture and literary fiction, the book lives up to its hype. I also enjoyed Jenkins’ other book, Daisy Jones and the Six (best read as an audiobook), which explores similar themes and band-dynamics in the music industry.
Memorable Quotes:
“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. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”
“So do yourself a favor and learn how to grab life by the balls, dear. Don’t be so tied up trying to do the right thing when the smart thing is so painfully clear.”
“You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until someone stands behind you and says, “It’s OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you.”
“Intimacy is about truth. When you realise you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in university front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.”
“Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.”
Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Year of publishing: 2017
Year of reading: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
Relatable Songs by Taylor Swift: The Lucky One, Nothing New (feat. Phoebe Bridgers), Dress
