The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – A Review 

Anonymous

11/11/21

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – A Review 

Capturing the essence of an era while maintaining suspense of a character’s life is a demanding task, but Jenkins, the author of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, accomplished this flawlessly in her NY times best-seller. When I was first recommended this book, I was hesitant to read it, because I had never read a book of this genre before. However, the interview format of this novel caught my attention, and I do not regret reading it, at all. Evelyn Hugo is portrayed as an epitome of a woman who disregards patriarchy, and uses it for her own advantage instead of being burdened by it. The melodramatic tone of the novel prevails in engaging the reader until the last chapter – the most emotionally devastating aspect of the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to experience feminism from the eyes of a protagonist in the mid to late 1900s. It leaves a lasting impression on the reader; in fact, Evelyn Hugo is a comfort character for many colored women. This novel does not have complex wording, but the storytelling is beyond exceptional. Each chapter leaves the audience entangled in the inquiry of the next fragment of the story. The title of the novel may lead to a misconception that this novel is romantic, however, the novel is much more than the stories of Hugo’s marriage: it is an engaging tale of her character development, struggles as a Latin American woman in Hollywood, and a heartbreaking friendship. Each chapter is dedicated to one of her husbands – my favorite was Harry Cameron, her best friend, and you would discover why after reading it. He was one of the most sincere people in her life. If you ever feel the desire to experience the world of a revolutionary Hollywood character, I would highly recommend reading this novel.