REVIEW: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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To say that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has changed my life would be both an understatement and an overstatement. The latter I finished it less than 24 hours ago and am still reeling over it. The former because since I put it down I’ve felt enlightened in a way. Did I think Taylor Jenkins Reid intended for this to happen when writing an old Hollywood novel capturing gossip and scandal? No – but it happened anyways.

This book was chosen randomly by a TBR machine I bought myself (don’t ask) and I’ve spent the last few years convinced that I already knew everything there was to know about this book. I knew who Evelyn was in love with, and I knew that she was finally gonna spill her the behind-the-scenes Hollywood secrets to the world. As it turns out, I was humbled less than 50 pages in. I definitely had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The world of Evelyn Hugo is a twisting, winding, complicated one. There are so many things to both judge and praise her for.

She is both a woman you can empathize with and one that you spite. She is a role model and a villain. She is strength and she is weakness. I found myself flipping between wanting to be around her, wanting to be her, and wanting to smack her upside the head.

The incredible complexity of her character is one that I can’t help but commend. And to deliver it all in a single novel, while also sharing the spotlight with a co-main character in Monique? Absolute insanity.

Evelyn goes through the woes of her life and lays it out for you, black and white, clear as day and is so unapologetic for it. She is one of the most interesting and compelling characters I have ever read about, and somehow her complex love story took a backseat to… her. Just her.

So, with the obvious question (did I enjoy it?) out of the way, it needs to be addressed – does The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo fit my three crucial criteria?

Can I Understand The Main Character?

Yes. Absolutely. And no, not at all, but in the best way possible. When reading this book you’re in the mind of Evelyn, so you’re able to understand her and how she views things. But you’re also in the mind of a rich, Hollywood movie star who goes balls-to-the-walls with her luxury spending, getting away with anything and everything because she can, and never looking back at the rundown hometown she came from. So, I guess, I can understand her, but I can’t relate to her.

I have to mention, though, that the way Evelyn (look at me talking about her like she’s real) outlines and explains things gave me a whole new outlook on so many things in life. I truly feel like I have a different perspective on love, hate, sex, womanhood, family, intimacy, motherhood – and so many other things. All this just from being in the fictional mind of Evelyn Hugo.

Is It Well-Written?

Yes, and this is another way that this book has changed me. Before this I truly thought that poetically written books superior, that I would always put those metaphors and carefully woven circumlocutions on a pedestal above all. Taylor Jenkins Reid is not that kind of author. She is succinct and concise with her delivery; But she is so incredibly creative.

The way that this novel flowed and the way things were seamlessly given and taken between reader and narrator were so natural and well-executed.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is my first book of hers that’s I ever read and I was pleasantly surprised. Reid wasn’t “poetic” because she didn’t need to be. I’m so thankful I got a chance to see that.

Is It Special?

In every way possible. I knew I was going to like it by the premise. I knew I was going to love it by the tenth chapter. I knew it was special when my tears began blurring the pages. I don’t give out five stars lightly – even though I am literally writing a love letter to this book as my very first post on this blog – but this novel deserves all those stars and then some. It is hands down one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life.

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I pride myself on giving both positive and negative feedback when writing a review but in my heart of hearts, I cannot think of any criticism to outline about this novel.

With all that being said, I think it comes as no surprise to anyone that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo gets a set of huge, glowing five stars from me. It changed the way I see so many things, it entertained me from beginning to end, and it was what inspired me to finally turn on my computer and start this blog. I just know that I’ll be chasing this feeling for a long, long time.

★★★★★