Taylor Jenkins Reid’s fifth novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, has blown up on TikTok over the past few months, and deservedly so.
This book has been talked about a lot, so I was sceptical to start it. However, it lived up to my expectations and I think it totally deserves all the praise it gets.
Monique Grant, a struggling journalist, is tasked with interviewing retired Hollywood actress Evelyn Hugo for work. Monique is confused – there are dozens of better journalists than her – but who could ever say no to a superstar like Evelyn? Then Evelyn reveals she doesn’t just want an interview; she wants Monique to write her biography. Timidly, Monique accepts, not knowing all of the twists that lie ahead…
Evelyn reveals all, from the story of how she became famous to the juicy details of each of her seven marriages. Distracting herself from her own messy divorce, Monique throws everything she’s got into telling Evelyn’s life story. That is until the most shocking twist of all is revealed.
Jenkins Reid weaves a beautiful tale of love and loss against the glamorous backdrop of old Hollywood. Evelyn’s conversational manner makes the reader feel at ease as if they are there in her apartment listening along with Monique. Her candid discussions of race and sexuality feel so real, you almost expect to see her when you put on an old 50’s movie.
I guarantee that you will fall in love with the complex, larger than life characters and definitely shed a tear or two (or a hundred, if you’re an emotional wreck like me). Now is the time to read it if you haven’t already, as a screen adaptation is also on its way!
Finally, don’t let the title fool you: this book is very, very gay.
Did The Seven Husbands meet your expectations? Let Brig know in the comments.
Feature Image Credit: Freya Deyell/Canva.
Film, media and journalism student. I like writing about my inability to eat gluten.
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[…] Reid’s work just gets better and better with each book. Once again she tells the story of a fictional celebrity so beautifully, it hard to believe they’re not actually real people. This one focuses on […]