Every once in a while I sit down and read a book, any genre really, although I normally choose my next read based on recommendations. Very recently, I encountered The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It’s safe to say that I consider this a canon event. When my best friend insisted I read it, I was a bit skeptical because BookTok recommendations aren’t always my cup of tea. Yet, despite my previous concerns, I read the book in two short days.
This novel is based on Old Hollywood Glam, with many allusions to real celebrities, including their drama and their ambition, two of the biggest factors in the main character’s story. We follow Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood actress that seems to resemble one of the greats from the 50s and 60s, as she describes her life in great detail. Essentially, it’s an autobiographical story of the riské repertoire and scandalous love life of Evelyn; she did have seven husbands after all. The reader finds out how their career started, who they loved, who they hated, and most importantly, what glamor truly felt like as a recognized and widely admired actress.
Hollywood—Was it really worth it? Is every picture we see on the news outlets about celebrities real?
In this fictional narration, the author shows what I consider to be an accurate portrayal of this alternate social landscape. Jenkins does not shy away from the almost nonfictional way they take on taboo topics, such as sexuality and its fluidness, pregnancy, women’s agency, marginalized communities (LGBTQIA+ or race), etc.
In the end, Taylor Jenkins Reid discussed excellent questions. Who is the real Evelyn Hugo?What was her private life compared to what was shown in the newspapers? Incidentally, the author also makes you reflect on yourself and other questions aside from those of the novel. How do I want to be remembered? Do I want the public to see the good, the bad, the raw vulnerability, or do I just wish to create another spectacle?
In real life, celebrity memoirs are absolute hits, considering that most people love to see a real person’s life come to light and it was this type of openness that the audience adored both outside of fiction and in the novel as well.
Modern novels are like a good TV series, if it’s that good you CANNOT stop. A good young adult book is great, but once in a while you find your book, just like your person. You’ll get that reference once you read it!