The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was published in 2017. A large trade-paperback copy crossed my desk at the library – an intriguing title that reminded me of the title by Stuart Turton, The Seven and a half deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (2018). But they were very different books. I make this comparison because I read Turton’s book in 2019 when it was recommended to me.  I passed on Evelyn Hugo. But Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book grew in popularity, especially after she published Daisy Jones & The Six (2023), which was made into a television series that same year. The Library District created a book-club kit and anecdotal evidence from passersby indicated that it would be a popular choice.

So, what did we think? Our first responder called it salacious, soapy, like reading a really long edition of People magazine. That made us laugh. It is definitely easy to read. We bandied about names of different actresses that could have inspired Evelyn Hugo. Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times! Racquel Welch. Jean Harlow. Sopia Loren. Marilyn Monroe. And what about Celia? Audrey or Katharine Hepburn? Grace Kelly? I played a dancing clip of Rita Hayworth[i] (born Margarita Carmen Cansino[ii]), both for entertainment and to showcase the multiple faces of a Hollywood icon. 

One of us seconded the book as a fun, easy read.  He said it felt familiar. He appreciated that Evelyn had no regrets. Sometimes it was difficult to follow the transition between Evelyn’s story and the voice of the reporter in the contemporary chapters. One member didn’t like the choice of the name Hugo. Another just found Evelyn despicable because of the way she used people – but then she could also see how Evelyn’s bits of wisdom helped Monique. A new member reminded us how people often judge women more severely for behavior that would be accepted in a man. Our next responder called out that people in the book seemed to be props instead of partners.

The book was a page-turner for many of us. One member particularly loved the spectrum of sexuality showcased in an era when they had to hide it. We discussed Rock Hudson, who is mentioned in the book, and Alan Turing[iii]. Someone asked, who is at fault when people are forced to lie? Who exactly did Evelyn hurt? Her marriages were business deals, transactional. Perhaps she hurt her first husband, but his life seems to have turned out well.

Some of us read along and were surprised by the ending and connection to Monique. Others read it like a mystery, looking for clues such as Monique’s heralded right to die article. Would Harry have died if Evelyn had called an ambulance right away rather than wait to move the bodies? We ended, being reminded of Evelyn’s explanation that being heartbroken and having a failed marriage are two different things.[iv]

I am writing this a full week after our meeting. Just imagine how much fuller it was, with thoughtful asides, laughter, and connections.  ‘Till next month . . .

• Other works discussed:
• Big Lies in a Small Town (2020) by Diane Chamberlain.
• Death Upon a Star (2025) by Amy Patricia Meade
• Feud: Bette and Joan (2017) Television Series
• My Mom Jayne (2025) documentary about Jayne Mansfield
• “Uptown Funk” Old Movie Stars Dance Compilation (Online Video)
•  

[i] Note the green dress!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz3CPzdCDws

[ii] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rita-Hayworth

[iii] “Turing was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of London in March 1951, a high honour, yet his life was about to become very hard. In March 1952 he was convicted of ‘gross indecency’—that is to say, homosexuality, a crime in Britain at that time—and he was sentenced to 12 months of hormone ‘therapy.’” “Queen Elizabeth II granted Turing a royal pardon [in 2013].” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alan-Turing/Computer-designer

[iv] “If you are heartbroken right now, then I feel for you deeply, Evelyn says. That I have the utmost respect for. That’s the sort of thing that can split a person in two. But I wasn’t heartbroken when Don left me. I simply felt like my marriage had failed. And those are very different things.”  https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/9256498-if-you-are-heartbroken-right-now-then-i-feel-for