The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Taylor Jenkins Reid

My family knows I’m the last person you’d think would be interested in a book about movie stars and their romances, dalliances, gossips and intrigues. (Eye roll) I rarely go to movies and even more rarely watch them at home. I’d rather open a book.

A week or so ago, I brought home The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. In a prior weak moment, I had added it to my “Read Later” shelf at the library, probably thanks to a recommendation in a book section of a newspaper.  I opened it up to take a quick look and to my surprise got lost in the antics of 50’s, 60’s, up to modern-day Hollywood.

The storyline is like a catapult directed toward the last few pages of the book. So compelling is the fictional tale of larger-than-life Evelyn Hugo that once started, it was difficult to put down.

Evelyn Hugo, actress, has come to the end of her career. Everyone she has loved has died. Now she wants someone to write her biography, someone who will give an honest account, who will not gloss over some of the not-very-savoury details of Evelyn’s life. She chooses Monique, a young journalist who works for a New York magazine. While the details of Evelyn’s life make up the bulk of the story, the real story is why she has chosen Monique.

This book was great fun to read. The writing style is excellent – the author is not writing what could easily have been chick lit. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo would be an excellent choice to read on the beach or in the hospital. Great escapism.