The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a historical fiction novel by American author Taylor Jenkins Reid and published by Atria Books in 2017. The novel tells the story of the fictional Old Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo, who, at age 79, gives a final interview to an unknown journalist, Monique Grant.
The novel was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction of 2017.
Book structure
The book is split into seven parts that are all named after Hugo's husbands in order to chronicle her life during the marriages and affairs she experiences; in addition, the titles feature adjectives to emphasize Hugo's feelings and opinions towards them. For instance, 'Brilliant, kindhearted, tortured, Harry Cameron' and 'Goddamn Don Adler'
Plot
Monique Grant, a reporter for the Vivant magazine, has been selected to interview Evelyn Hugo, a reclusive former star, who is auctioning some of her famous gowns to raise money for a breast cancer charity in honor of her deceased daughter, who had died from the disease. Monique is confused about why Evelyn has chosen her, but goes to Evelyn's apartment to meet her. Evelyn reveals she has no interest in giving an interview for Vivant but instead wants Monique to write her life story, and Monique agrees, though she is suspicious. Evelyn satiates her suspicions temporarily by mentioning an article Monique had previously written about assisted suicide that had received much acclaim, although promising that all of Monique's questions will be answered by the end.
Poor Ernie Diaz
Evelyn meets her first husband, Ernie Diaz, at 14. She then marries him in order to reach Hollywood and escape her abusive father in Hell's Kitchen. She is noticed by Harry Cameron, a young Sunset Studios producer, and the two become close friends. Evelyn seduces a Sunset executive in order to advance her career and divorces Ernie when the studio sets her up with popular actors for publicity.
Goddamn Don Adler
Evelyn falls in love with, and marries, actor Don Adler, whom she believes to be the first true love of her life. But, in the following months, Don begins to abuse Evelyn when she becomes successful and is outshining his own career.
In an adaptation of Little Women, Evelyn, now 21, stars opposite Celia St. James. Evelyn is initially jealous of Celia's talent, but the two quickly form a bond. At a party, Evelyn is told that Celia is a lesbian. Evelyn privately confronts Celia to ask if this is true, and the two share a kiss. Evelyn discovers that Don has been cheating on her, but he divorces her first and sabotages her career.
Gullible Mick Riva
To revive her popularity, Evelyn goes to Paris and stars in a racy film by French director Max Girard. Rumors have begun to spread about Evelyn and Celia's relationship, so Evelyn creates a plan to distract the press. She elopes with singer Mick Riva, then has the marriage annulled the next day. The plan works, but Evelyn discovers that she is pregnant from an intimate encounter they had. She gets an abortion in Tijuana, but Celia is furious and leaves her due to now knowing that Evelyn and Mick had slept together. They do not speak for five years after.
Clever Rex North
After starring in an adaptation of Anna Karenina, Evelyn marries her co-star, Rex North, to generate publicity. They stay married for a few years, but after Rex impregnates his girlfriend, Evelyn spins a story that she and Harry Cameron were having an affair. In reality, Harry is secretly dating quarterback John Braverman, who is married to Celia, Evelyn's ex-lover.
Brilliant, Kindhearted, Tortured Harry Cameron
Evelyn and Celia reunite. Evelyn marries Harry, and they move to Manhattan and live closely with Celia and John, posing as two heterosexual couples. During the Stonewall Riots, the four of them agree to start secretly funding LGBT pioneers since they are unable to publicly take part. After several idyllic years, Harry suggests that he and Evelyn have a child, and Evelyn agrees. With Celia's blessing, they have a daughter named Connor.
In her late 30s, Evelyn stars in another Max Girard movie, in which she agrees to an explicit sex scene opposite her ex-husband, Don Adler. She realizes afterward that she should have asked Celia's permission. Celia leaves Evelyn again. John Braverman dies of a heart attack, and Harry begins drinking excessively, without thinking of the consequences.