Have you ever had one of those instances when you pick up a book on a whim and it consumes your whole weekend? This is what happened to me and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”. This was one of my more recent overviews, but by no means my first or last. I was pulled to it by a friend’s constant suggestion, along with my developing interest in historical literature. Interestingly, the fascination of this novel reminded me of “Gone with the Wind” with its dramatic flair and complicated character arcs, yet Evelyn Hugo’s narrative is much more current and linked with Hollywood glamor. Now, let’s look at the complicated narrative and characters that make this book so captivating.
Overview of the Novel
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” recounts the life of fictitious Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo, who, at the age of 79, chooses to reveal her life story to Monique Grant, a little-known journalist. The book follows Evelyn’s difficult path through fame, money, and seven marriages, each acting as a chapter in her life story. It’s a narrative with themes of love, sacrifice, identity, and the cost of celebrity.
Key Characters
Evelyn Hugo
The protagonist is Evelyn Hugo, a Cuban-American actress who rose to prominence in the 1950s and became one of Hollywood’s most famous actresses. Evelyn is well-known for her beauty and brilliance, but she is also notorious for having seven marriages. Her life narrative is defined by her battle to reconcile her public image with her private identity, notably her bisexuality and secret relationship with fellow actress Celia St. James.
Celia St. James
Evelyn is in love with Celia, a great actress. Their connection is crucial to the narrative, emphasizing the difficulties they confront in an age that is far from accepting of their love. Evelyn feels both excitement and grief when she sees Celia.
Monique Grant
Evelyn picked Monique, a journalist, to write her biography. Monique is coping with personal and professional issues at the start of the story. Her interactions with Evelyn not only set the stage for Evelyn’s tale, but also accelerate Monique’s own development.
Harry Cameron
Harry is Evelyn’s closest friend and sixth spouse. A homosexual guy in Hollywood, he develops a strong friendship with Evelyn based on mutual understanding and respect. They manage the intricacies of their personal and professional life while parenting their daughter, Connor.
Don Adler
Don is Evelyn’s second spouse, a fellow actor whose charisma first catches her off guard. However, owing to Don’s aggressive conduct, their marriage gradually deteriorates, eventually resulting to divorce.
Connor
Cameron Connor is the daughter of Evelyn and Harry. Her connection with Evelyn is difficult, particularly after Harry’s death, but she remains a vital part of Evelyn’s life until her untimely death from breast cancer.
Chapter Summaries
Early Years and First Marriage
The story opens with Evelyn’s childhood in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, where she lives in poverty. Desperate to escape, she marries her first husband, Ernie Diaz, at the age of 14 and relocates to Hollywood. This marriage is a means to an end for Evelyn, who is determined to reinvent herself and become a celebrity.
The Rise to Fame and Marriages of Don Adler and Mick Riva
Evelyn’s climb to stardom is turbulent, punctuated by her marriage to Don Adler, which begins with passion but swiftly becomes abusive. After divorcing Don, Evelyn marries singer Mick Riva in a publicity stunt that is quickly annulled.
True Love and Heartbreak: Celia St. James
The narrative centers on Evelyn’s connection with Celia St. James. They met while shooting on a film and soon fell in love. However, Evelyn’s desire to keep their love private drives her to marry other men for appearances, generating stress and heartbreak.
The Strategic Marriages of Rex North and Harry Cameron
Evelyn marries a fellow actor, Rex North, in a mutually advantageous arrangement to further their careers. This marriage ended peacefully. She later marries Harry Cameron, her closest friend, and the two have a strong platonic friendship. They adopt a daughter named Connor.
The Final Marriages and Career Peaks: Max Girard and Robert Jamison
Evelyn’s marriage to French filmmaker Max Girard leads to professional success, but she quickly finds he is more in love with the image of her than with who she genuinely is. Her last marriage to Celia’s brother, Robert Jamison, demonstrates her continuing love for Celia by allowing them to remain close in their final years.
Conclusion and Monique’s Revelation
The tale ends with Evelyn disclosing the truth about her marriages and her greatest love, Celia. Monique realizes that her father died in a vehicle accident caused by Harry, a fact Evelyn had kept secret. This discovery pushes Monique to examine her own life and choices.
Detailed Plot Analysis
Early Struggle and Ambition
Evelyn’s trip starts in Hell’s Kitchen, a difficult area in New York. Evelyn Elena Herrera was born to Cuban immigrant parents. Evelyn inherits her mother’s goal of becoming an actress, which fuels her drive. Following her mother’s death, Evelyn becomes desperate to escape her violent father and the poverty that binds her. This resolve drives her to marry her first husband, Ernie Diaz, purely as a way out of her difficult circumstances and into Hollywood.
Navigating Hollywood with Don Adler and Mick Riva
Evelyn’s marriage to Don Adler marks a turning point in her career. Don is a rising celebrity, and their relationship elevates Evelyn’s profile in Hollywood. However, Don’s jealousy and aggressive actions have harmed their marriage. Despite their outward image as a fashionable Hollywood marriage, Evelyn suffers much behind closed doors. Her divorce with Don is a bold move that gains her both compassion and publicity.
Her subsequent marriage, to musician Mick Riva, is impetuous and brief. They married in Las Vegas after a crazy night out, but the marriage is immediately annulled. This is when Evelyn realizes she can utilize her marriages strategically to traverse Hollywood’s difficult terrain.
Strengthening Relationships: Celia St. James and Professional Peak
Evelyn and Celia St. James first meet while co-starring in the film “Little Women”. Celia is a skilled and recognized actress, and their relationship rapidly develops into a hidden romance. This friendship is crucial to Evelyn’s life, offering her true love and support among Hollywood’s superficiality.
However, Evelyn’s desire to keep their connection covert results in complicated arrangements. She marries another actor, Rex North, in a mutually advantageous publicity hoax. This marriage is solely strategic, with the goal of preserving their public image while enabling Evelyn to continue her connection with Celia privately. The agreement with Rex is amiable, and the divorce is staged to maximize attention for both of their professions.
The True Partner: Harry Cameron
Evelyn’s marriage to Harry Cameron was possibly the most meaningful and significant. Harry is Evelyn’s closest friend and someone who truly understands her. He is homosexual, and their marriage is founded on mutual respect and understanding, rather than passionate love. They adopt a daughter, Connor, and attempt to establish a family life.
Their collaboration enables Evelyn and Harry to maintain their actual personalities while managing Hollywood’s demands. Evelyn is devastated by Harry’s tragic death in an automobile accident. This loss, along with the difficulties of parenting Connor, represents a moment of intense personal struggle for Evelyn.
Later Years: Max Girard & Robert Jamison
Evelyn’s marriage to Max Girard, a French filmmaker, is driven by both love and career goals. Max likes Evelyn and helps to revitalize her career with the legendary film “Boute-en-Train”. Evelyn eventually discovers that Max is more in love with her image than with her genuine self. Their marriage collapses as Max’s domineering behavior becomes untenable.
Her eventual marriage to Robert Jamison, Celia’s brother, is very moving. Evelyn marries Robert after Celia dies of respiratory failure in order to respect her request for them to remain near in their last years. This marriage focuses on camaraderie and mutual respect rather than passion.
Monique Grant’s Revelation and Transformation
Monique Grant’s part in the narrative is essential. Evelyn chose Monique to write her biography, and she is immediately intimidated by the responsibility. However, as Evelyn shares her life story, Monique goes through a personal metamorphosis. She discovers her own power and the value of declaring her own.
The news that Monique’s father was killed in a vehicle accident perpetrated by Harry Cameron is a surprising surprise. Evelyn’s decision to expose the truth to Monique pushes her to face her history and reconsider her life choices. Monique is inspired by Evelyn’s narrative to demand what she deserves in both her career and personal life.
Themes and Analysis
The Cost of Fame
Evelyn’s life exemplifies the sacrifices necessary to acquire and sustain popularity. Her marriages, manipulations, and public image are all meticulously planned to boost her profession. This unrelenting quest of achievement often comes at the price of her own well-being and honesty. The book examines the dual nature of celebrity, emphasizing both its fascination and its destructive potential.
Identity and Secrecy
The work explores the intricacies of identity, notably the conflict between the public and private identities. Evelyn’s bisexuality and her connection with Celia are kept hidden owing to cultural standards of the period.
Conclusion:
Taylor Jenkins Reid expertly constructs a gripping tale in “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” delving into the nuances of identity, love, and ambition. Reid’s life story of Evelyn Hugo, a dazzling and enigmatic Hollywood celebrity, addresses the complexities of human relationships and the frequently hidden price of fame. Evelyn’s path, defined by seven marriages, depicts a lady of enormous strength and fragility who is always balancing her public and private selves. As Evelyn’s facts emerge, the story asks readers to contemplate the cost of authenticity in a culture preoccupied with appearance. Finally, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” is a moving meditation on the quest of one’s own self and the everlasting power of love in all its forms.
