You could be forgiven if you saw the title, a beauty in an emerald green dress and turned away from this compelling story. Protagonist Evelyn Hugo certainly would not blame you. She was born in 1938 in Hell’s Kitchen New York, the daughter of Cuban immigrants. Losing her mother at a young age, she was an only child raised by her father. It was an unhappy time for her. As she grew into her beauty, she also blossomed ~ and blossomed. Becoming aware of the power of her beauty and her sexuality she determined to get of Hell’s Kitchen, thus her first husband, Ernie Diaz. At age 14 (she told Ernie she was 16) and married, he was her ticket to Hollywood. However he didn’t fit with her driving ambitions. Evelyn Elena Herrera created Evelyn Hugo, changing her hair colour from dark brown to blonde. Her skin was light bronze, enough to carry the blonde hair.
At age 79, she contacted a popular magazine Vivant and, in her signature powerful style, she insisted on a specific writer to write her life story. Monique Grant, a ‘newbie’ employee with Vivant, was that writer. No one, especially Monique, could figure out why when there were so many far more qualified. However, it was Monique or no one. Throughout the story the question hangs temptingly ‘why?’ Tempting because more than once I wanted to turn to the ending and learn the answer, but I wanted to know the story behind the answer more.
The other six husbands? Don Adler, as handsome and driven as Evelyn. Mick Riva, a famous singer who only wanted to bed her fame. Rex North - in a sexless marriage, he was as ruthlessly ambitious as Evelyn. Max Girard, a well known movie producer, also charming but wanted only eye candy. Harry Cameron, Evelyn’s best and longest friend, father of her only daughter, as well as her producer of her first movie. Robert Jamison, brother of Celia St. James who was the love of Evelyn’s life.
In the world of glamour and stardom, when Evelyn Hugo and Celia St. James were at the peak of their careers, same sex relationships were absolutely shunned. The incredible machinations they needed to protect their careers was stunning and sad.
In the end Evelyn’s life had nothing to do with “Why Monique?”, but everything to do with the final answer.
“When you dig just the tiniest bit beneath the surface, everyone’s love life is
original and interesting and nuanced and defies any easy definition.”
~ Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Copyright: 2017
Publisher: Washington Square Press - an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Type: A Novel
Format: Soft Cover
ISBN 978-1-5011-3923-9
ISBN 978-1-5011-6193-3 (pbk)
ISBN 978-1-5011-3924-6 (ebook)
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