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Book418 pages • 2 hours reading time

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

4.3/5
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About this book

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND TIKTOK SENSATION SOON TO BE A NETFLIX FILM 'Riveting, heart-wrenching and full of Old Hollywood glamour' BuzzFeed 'This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama' PopSugar From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six in which a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing journey through the splendour of old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means and what it costs to face the truth.
Language
English
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Release date
October 14, 2021
Downloads
Unknown

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AI-Powered Insights

A clearer way to understand The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo through themes, characters, and key ideas

This reading guide highlights what stands out in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo through 4 core themes, 4 character profiles, and 9 chapter-level ideas. It is meant to help readers decide whether the book fits their taste and deepen the reading once they begin.

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About this book

A quick AI guide to “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Get the shape of the book before you commit: what it is about, what mood it carries, and what ideas readers tend to stay with afterward.

~8h readintermediateglamorousheartbreakingintrospective

What the book is doing

Aging Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo, known for her beauty and seven marriages, finally decides to tell her true life story to Monique Grant, an unknown magazine reporter. What begins as a seemingly random assignment for Monique quickly unravels into a complex narrative revealing Evelyn's ruthless ambition, the sacrifices she made for fame, and the hidden love of her life. As Evelyn recounts her journey from Hell's Kitchen to the pinnacle of stardom, a surprising connection between her past and Monique's present emerges, forcing both women to confront difficult truths about love, identity, and the price of a carefully constructed public image. The story explores the intricate layers of Evelyn's life, challenging perceptions of celebrity, love, and what it truly means to live authentically.

Key Themes

Identity and Performance

The novel deeply explores the gap between one's true self and the persona presented to the world, especially in the context of celebrity. Evelyn Hugo is a carefully constructed identity, allowing Evelyn Herrera to achieve fame and protect her private life. This theme examines the sacrifices made to maintain a public image and the toll it takes on authenticity.

Love and Sacrifice

The book portrays love in its many forms – romantic, platonic, familial – but consistently ties it to the concept of sacrifice. Evelyn's enduring love for Celia requires immense personal and public sacrifice, as they navigate a homophobic society. The theme also explores the sacrifices made for family and friendship, and the difficult choices people make to protect those they love.

A line worth noting
"When you're given an opportunity to change your life, be brave enough to do it."
A good discussion starter

How does Evelyn Hugo challenge traditional notions of heroism and villainy? Is she a hero, a villain, or something more complex?

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