The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo-Book Review

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Book: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Historical Fiction

Year: 2017

“People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.”-Taylor Jenkins Reid

If I like literary work of some authors I have the tendency to pick books of the same. Taylor Jenkins Reid is one such author.

'Smash the patriarchy, sweetheart" author tells her daughter in dedication and our protagonist single handedly does it.

WeReflect: Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a story of a geriatric Hollywood superstar who decides to give an interview to lesser know journalist Monique Grant. Everyone is surprised of the choice including Monique. In her swanky Upper East side apartment Evelyn tells her story starting from her Cuban origin, her well-thought escape from Hell's Kitchen to her slow and steady entry into LA scene in the 1970s to becoming the scandalous reigning queen of Hollywood to her voluntary retirement in the 1980's. And as the title suggests her 'seven' husbands along the way.

The immediate actress came to my mind when I heard the number seven was Elizabeth Taylor. The story drives home Evelyn's ruthless ambition, fame, forbidden love, and scandalous life.

Evelyn is a character who does not shy away from getting what she wants and will go to any extent to achieve that. She is unapologetic about the life she lead. She is brash, she is flashy, she is manipulative, she is very much real. She married seven times, but they are just husbands. Who was the love of her life among them? Why did she choose Monique for the interview?

Though I was trying to solve the puzzle at the beginning, it drew off my attention as progressed. And I was amazed to find the twist. Along the interview Monique draws strength from Evelyn's character to take few decisions pertaining to her marriage and career.

An easy read. I liked it better than TJR's Daisy Jones & The Six.