The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo| Discussion| Feminist literature

“You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until somewhat stands behind you and says, “It’s OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you"

              -Taylor Jenkins Raid, Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

'The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Raid is a riveting novel about the scandalous and glamorous life of the evergreen Hollywood icon, Evelyn herself. Aged and reclusive, Evelyn is finally ready, to tell the truth about her charismatic life. The plot unfolds when Evelyn announces to auction off her most precious gowns which pique the curiosity of the media. When she finally agrees to a magazine article for vivant- a journalism community, she demands unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, No one in vivant is more astonished than Monique, herself. Why her? why now?

As Monique gets to know more about Evelyn, she is astounded to know the reason she was summoned. Monique analyzes the situation at hand and plays her cards intuitively. One thing leads up to another and the two of them- Evelyn and Monique are sitting inside Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, writing a book based upon Evelyn's life.

Evelyn opens up and unfurls about her life to Monique, about her constant struggles in the artificial media life from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s  to her decision to leave show business in the late 80s and of course about her seven husbands along the way. She reveals her unexpected friendship, a great forbidden love, and passionate ambition. Monique begins to feel a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story begins to unfold, It is apparent that Monique's life and hers are not only intertwined but are connected in tragic and irreversible ways. 

Reader's Club guide (spoilers)

                   Topics and questions (answers based on my opinion) 

1. Each husband's section opens up with an illustrative moniker (for eg. 'Poor Ernie Diaz,' 'Goddamn Don Adler,' 'Agreeable Robert Jamison'. Discuss the meaning and significance of some of these descriptions. 

I feel that the illustrative moniker about each husband's section is very thoughtful. It gives the readers an insight into the chapter as well about the husband. It obliged me to form assumptions about the next husband of Evelyn which intrigued me to turn the pages of this book.

2. Of the seven husbands, who was your favorite and why? Who surprised you the most?

My favorite of all the seven husbands has certainly got to be Harry Cameron. I admired him throughout the book. We can all agree that Evelyn would not have reached great heights without this man. He supported her all along and respected her. I cherished their friendship, it's stunning to encounter such pure and rare attachment which makes me want to believe in soulmates. Still bummed that they are fictional characters.😀

The most surprising one in my opinion would be Don Adler. His growth through the book was remarkable. It's truly transcending how he went from an abusive psychopath to somewhat a man of modesty. The emphasis on the implication of change and character growth in the novel by the author is singular.

I was equally taken away by Rex North. I love how Evelyn and Rex shared similar views and opinions about Hollywood and the world, which enhanced their chemistry on a whole new level. I was astounded when Rex respected Evelyn's choice about not having sex, most men don't do that.   

3. Monique notes that hearing Evelyn Hugo’s life story has inspired her to carry herself differently than she would have before. In what ways does Monique grow over the course of the novel? 

"Being wrapped up in digesting Evelyn's story means I don't have to exist in my own." Well, I guess Monique just got too engrossed in Evelyn's life that she started picking up her attitude. I think Monique got empowered by hearing Evelyn's story. As a reader, I could see a distinct change in her behavior. For instance, She outright told David that she didn't want to continue their relationship just because she didn't think it would work out anymore, which the 'Old' Monique, in my opinion, wouldn't have been tough enough to do. She would rather try to make the relationship work even though there were several reasons not to. 

4. On page 147, Monique says, "I have to 'Evelyn Hugo' Evelyn Hugo." What does it mean to "Evelyn Hugo"? 

I think the term 'Evelyn Hugo' is trying to imply the ability to deceive and more precisely negotiate for the things that one 'wants'. As Evelyn, herself perceives that no one deserves anything in this world, if you want something, you have got to take it yourself,  therefore I think this signifies to take a stand a strong and powerful one at that, in the things you believe and want. 

5. Did you trust Evelyn to be a reliable narrator as you were reading? Why, or why not? Did your opinion on this change at all by the conclusion, and if so, why?

All the people who have read this book will unquestionably know that Evelyn is the kind of person who will do anything for the people she loves. She is capable of pulling any sort of scandalous stunts to protect her family and herself. At the first, I was quite skeptical about the whole"telling the truth about her life" thing, I thought it was one of her many stunts and I didn't quite trust her to be a reliable narrator. But when I got through the end of the book, I realized I had been wrong the entire time. Evelyn has told enough lies her entire life to make up someone called "Evelyn Hugo" who is an entirely different person from her. I think, once and for all she decides to come out clean and tell the world that there was no Evelyn Hugo but only Evelyn Herrera. In conclusion, I trusted Evelyn to be a reliable narrator.

 6. What role do the news, tabloid, and blog articles interspersed throughout the book serve in the narrative? What, if anything, do we learn about Evelyn’s relationship with the outside world from them?

The life of Evelyn Hugo is a great example to convey that all you see and hear in the media isn't always true. Celebrities go to huge extents to make themself appear like the person who they want themselves to be portrayed as. I wouldn't say that everything on the internet is entirely embellished, Most of the things are, except for a handful. In my opinion, Evelyn did what's best to protect her and those around her by manipulating the media. Although she broke the trust of her followers and well-wishers, SHE chose this path into Hollywood, so SHE had to face the ramifications. 

7. How do you think Evelyn’s understanding and awareness of sexuality were shaped by her relationship with Billy—the boy who works at the five-and-dime store? How does her sensibility evolve from this initial encounter? As she grows older, to what extent is Evelyn’s attitude toward sex is influenced by those around her? 

I think Evelyn saw sex as something you use to get what you want, and she used that often as an exchange for something else. Harry Cameron brilliantly stated that if all the women on this planet got something in exchange every time they had sex, they all would rule the whole world, which is all the more, a very dynamic perceptive. Evelyn used sexuality as her strength and got what she wanted all the time. As she grows older and meets the love of her life- Celia, she realizes that sex is something much more. something much more enjoyable. It is truly transforming that she believed female pleasure is equally important as Male pleasure which she expressed in one of the movies of Max Girard, which was indeed thought-provoking for all of the women in that era. Evelyn's perspective of the distinction between sex and sexuality is something I've never thought of. She signifies sex is just an act to get what she wants whereas sexuality is a sincere expression of desire and pleasure. 

8. Several times, Evelyn mentions having cosmetic surgery. What was your reaction to this? How do these decisions jibe with the value system and ethical code that she seems to live by? Why do you think Evelyn continues to dye her hair at the end of her life?

I personally do not like the idea of getting cosmetic surgery. Why change something which makes you, YOU? I'm not against people who do it. It's their body and if they feel the need to do so, I totally support them. First of all, I can't recall Evelyn mentioning having cosmetic surgery (lol), I just wonder why? I mean the way Taylor described Evelyn made me fall in love with her (not me forgetting she is a fictional character), I bet everyone who has read this novel felt the same way.

 I think Blonde hair best suits Evelyn, it's just part of what makes her "the Evelyn Hugo" and I don't think Evelyn is ready to give that up just because she is aging and I don't think she should.

9. On page 54, Evelyn uses the saying "all’s well that ends well" as part of her explanation for not regretting her actions. Do you think Evelyn truly believes this? Using examples from later in her life, discuss why or why not. How do you think this idea relates to the similar but more negatively associated phrase "the ends justify the means"?

"All's well that ends well". Evelyn is a sort of character that doesn't care about her actions unless the end product is good, which doesn't always justify what you DID to attain THAT. I definitely think Evelyn truly believes this as this is reflected in many instances from later in her life such as sleeping with Mick Riva to manipulate the media. Though she did it to protect Celia, this doesn't account for sleeping with someone else without consulting it with Celia, which ended up hurting her and was the reason they parted ways. Here, she hoped for a happy end (which is protecting Celia) which she believed will justify the means of her sleeping with Mick. 

10. Evelyn offers some firm words of wisdom throughout the recounting of her life, such as "Be wary of men with something to prove" (p. 77), "Never let anyone make you feel ordinary" (p. 208), and "It is OK to grovel for something you really want" (p.192). What is your favorite piece of advice from Evelyn? 

"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “You’re safe with me”—that’s intimacy"

- Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid.