Indian Readers discussion

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 the age of 79 decides to give a final interview to an unknown journalist, Monique Grant. According to Reid, Evelyn Hugo was loosely based in part on actresses Elizabeth Taylor, who was married eight times to seven different men, and Ava Gardner, who revealed the secrets of her life to a journalist which was eventually published as Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations.

The novel was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction of 2017.

I'm in. I've read rave rave reviews of it.

I'm in too. I'm reading more than a book so I'm not sure to finish this one by the end of December. Anyway I'm curious so I'll try.

Am in for this.

I am half way through, will finish in another 2 days..

I am reading it now, will finish in another 2 days..

I'm reading it and reading enjoying it.

I've got a question: why is it called a historical? it's set barely 50yrs ago. For a person like me , one who devours historicals especially the romances this description doesn't fit at all.

And the reference to Elizabeth Taylor is instant.

Leena wrote: "And the reference to Elizabeth Taylor is instant."
Yes. And it makes people surf about her and few others, wanting to see if any of the content is inspired by true events/personal life of said celebrity.

I have read it months ago due to the hype. Not going to say anymore. :)

@Leena, some define historical fiction/HR as stories set more than 50 years in the past. But, yes Ideally they should not be called historical. But, recently I was reading a book set in the 1970s and the book cover called it a historical romance. So, we never know.

wow! how can a book set in 1970 be a historical??? its contemporary. theoving talkies with black & white and silent era may still pass of as historical. But a veied reference to Elizabeth Taylor??? this is nonsensical. Anything passes of as a publicity stunt.

This book will blend different scandals you might have heard into one story, though the overall narration was exquisite. It seems impossible to (view spoiler)[How Evelyn knows Grant's Father? (hide spoiler)] ...

I suppose that was the predictable part of the bk- hence the out of the world offer to a less known, small time writer

Sorry for butting in. I'm not participating in this discussion and have yet to read the book. But this discussion about historical fiction intrigued me. :)

From what I've heard, any story that is set 50 or more years into the past and makes use of that era to provide a period setting to its story can be called historical fiction. I've seen books set during the Vietnam war and the 1980s Cold war era also being called historical. So 1970 is still okay, as long as the story is using that time period properly and not using it in casual reference. A great example of modern historical fiction is "Daisy Jones & The Six", which used the 1970s rock scene to perfection.

thanks @RoshReviews. I did check it up and yes you are right. This is how historical fiction is defined :

Historical fiction is a literary genre that reconstructs past events in fictional stories. Common characteristics of this writing genre are the inclusion of historical events or historical people, invented scenes and dialogue, as well as authentic and believable.

having said that my pride is still hurt. historicals always sound so old!

Leena wrote: "having said that my pride is still hurt. historicals always sound so old!"

Haha, I understand! :)

I've just begun reading this book.
Interesting discussion above on the justification of calling this book historical fiction . Nice explanation by RoshReviews .

I'm 100 pages into it. ots well-written, but till now it's just a predictable regular story of an extremely poor and a very beautiful woman's exit route out of poverty. She didn't even attempt basic work - just set her eyes on Hollywood. We know how that turns out for all out own desi wannabe variety. So, her gamble paid off.

Leena wrote: "I'm 100 pages into it. ots well-written, but till now it's just a predictable regular story of an extremely poor and a very beautiful woman's exit route out of poverty. She didn't even attempt basi..."

That sounds like the real life stories of Nadira and Madhubala . And yes , you're right , quite a few others . But the movie world is a frightening , uncertain world , especially for unprotected women . Lucky if the gamble pays off , but then , too , there are so many nasty things waiting to happen. So many uncertainties , insecurities and exploitations . Nothing to envy in that outwardly shining, glamorous world . I suppose this book will give a close up of the movie world . I am curious . I have read chapter 1 and am liking the writing style. It certainly isn't boring so far.

Definitely a well written book. Just wondering about all the hype.

Chapter 3 ☆Beware Spoilers ☆(view spoiler)[ Has Evelyn got a terminal illness ? She is very evasive to Monique 's questions . Or is it just old age that she is afraid of ? (hide spoiler)]

Words of wordly wisdom by Ernie ( chapter 4 ) : " The world doesn't give things , you take things . "
If this means being assertive , on the right path , I would agree .
But if this means being aggressive , even on the right path , I would be wary of agreeing . Usually being assertive suffices .

I agree Savita, assertiveness is the better option. However, in this case I believe its to set the stage for the wannabe, ladder climber. So, it will be grabbing opportunities aggressively.

I've given it a rest and shall pick it up again today.

Leena wrote: "I agree Savita, assertiveness is the better option. However, in this case I believe its to set the stage for the wannabe, ladder climber. So, it will be grabbing opportunities aggressively."

Hmm . Yes , I see ! I wonder what will be the long term outcomes .

Leena wrote: "I've given it a rest and shall pick it up again today."

Looking forward to more comments from you and our other members . It is an interesting book - a different world .

I read chapter 6 . ☆Beware Spoiler ☆(view spoiler)[ Evelyn is no shy , sensitive, modest woman !!! She is just a brazen , wanton woman who has no compunction about leaving her morals behind as she scrambles up the success ladder . 🙄 . Her behavior with Ari is despicable ! I hope the rest of the book is more than just a narration of this licentious behavior 🤔 . (hide spoiler)]

it's s biography of a power and money hungry woman. it's expected, I suppose. my huge disappointment, is the fervour this bk has created. I still can't see why. ,it's predictable , oh so predictable . I'm curious to know why she picked Monique for her telling.... what does Evelyn want in return? because, that much is a give in she's trading it I'm sure will be the devil's deal itself.

I'm halfway through. and the only word that I can describe this bk -- cringy with a shudder!

A question: Since this is a veiled account of Elizabeth Taylor's life, who is Celia St. John based on ?

hi Leena... I got thoroughly bored with it it in first 10 percent itself . tried again ,but couldn't pursue .
I too don't know why there is such a hype behind it

Leena wrote: "it's s biography of a power and money hungry woman. it's expected, I suppose. my huge disappointment, is the fervour this bk has created. I still can't see why. ,it's predictable , oh so predictabl..."

Yes , why Monique ?

Leena wrote: "I'm halfway through. and the only word that I can describe this bk -- cringy with a shudder!"

Hmm 😒 🤔
Doesn't sound very pleasant or encouraging . Then why the hype 🤔 ? ?

Leena wrote: "A question: Since this is a veiled account of Elizabeth Taylor's life, who is Celia St. John based on ?"

I don't think I have come across Celia St . John as yet .

Em*bedded-in-books* wrote: "hi Leena... I got thoroughly bored with it it in first 10 percent itself . tried again ,but couldn't pursue .
I too don't know why there is such a hype behind it"

Nice to know Ive got someone in my corner too. I finished off 3 really terrible romances before picking it up again.

I cannot understand this bk.how and why did it become so popular?

Savita wrote: "Leena wrote: "A question: Since this is a veiled account of Elizabeth Taylor's life, who is Celia St. John based on ?"

I don't think I have come across Celia St . John as yet ."
Then you still have a long way to go!

Leena wrote: "Savita wrote: "Leena wrote: "A question: Since this is a veiled account of Elizabeth Taylor's life, who is Celia St. John based on ?"

I don't think I have come across Celia St . John as yet ."
T..."

I'm reading chapter 8 on Don Adler.
In chapter 6 I was shocked by ☆Beware Spoilers ☆(view spoiler)[ how ruthlessly Evelyn gets rid of her poor husband Ernie ! Anyway , Ernie finds a nice girl and settles down . Good for him !
Evelyn has sold her soul to the Devil . Money is her God ! What a dark , hideous world she's building up for herself!
They say the wedding cake lasts longer than the marriage in Hollywood ! God ! (hide spoiler)]

it gets sadder and weirder as you go along.

I really wish those readers who Loved this book tell me what they really liked about it. And I really hope the similarity with Elizabeth Taylor starts and ends with her numerous Husbands.

Leena wrote: "it gets sadder and weirder as you go along."

I see ! I have read chapter 10 where she thinks ☆Beware Spoilers ☆(view spoiler)[ Don Adler is her happy ending !
Lots more to come ! (hide spoiler)]
What kind of happiness is she looking for on the horrible path that she has taken ?

that's interesting. because she really does look for a happy family, even though she is enroute to a lot a manipulations etc, etc.

hut, I'm trying to love, hmmm.. no just like the book. And I failing miserably. And as you get the book there are just so many unexplained situations, just to get along the plot perse but not logical at all.

point to note is the entire Max relationship.

Leena wrote: "I really wish those readers who Loved this book tell me what they really liked about it. And I really hope the similarity with Elizabeth Taylor starts and ends with her numerous Husbands."

Hi Leena, Here comes a long txt. Beware!

I suppose most people who like the book have no clue who Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardnr or Rita Hayworth are. (imagine the generation who have never set eyes upon a black&white tv).
These are some of the women whose life has influenced the storyline of Evelyn Hugo (atleast that's what the internet says).
So, when they read about the goldenage of the film industry they're curious with the lies, love, debauchery that has happened in 60s-70s era. And by the time the story ends, they feel there has to be someone on whom Evelyn is based on.
And throughout the story, it shows Evelyn does want to be happy but in the end resorts to manipulations to either save her or Celia's or Harry's reputation & avoid scandals (this is 60s-70s, the society was not kind to gay/bi or any queer for that matter).
And the author makes her to be one of the most grey character ever, so by the end even Monique hates her and doesn't hate her at the sametime. (This comes when things are revealed at the end, I'm not going to spoil it).

Coming to me - I had no idea regarding the said celebrities. I could see the writing is no frill and crisp. I started this book thinking I'll encounter couple of murders and a whole lot of mystery. lol. But it ended up being somewhat of a fiction bio (if we can call it that). Even then, I continued with it since this was the first book I had read that's based on the film industry (I read Evelyn sometime last yr ). And I have tried to love Evelyn I couldn't and I tried to hate her at the end I couldn't and then realized the author made it that way with her writing so it makes the characters real (so much that people are now looking at celebs to see who fits the bill). And the writing is definitely not bad, so that was a plus. (For me, it's 3.5 stars or 4 on a good day).

Which husband number/chapter are you currently reading?
And I agree, I think the 3rd husband was just to ward off media's attention. Was it 3rd? They marry and then annul it the next day.

Hey, guess what I too assumed Evelyn Hugo was going to be this black spider who's going to be digging in her 8 arms into her 7 husbands. So much for a mislead as a title.

I finished the bookand I standy ground - extremely predictable, boring stuff. And un explained at places esp the incident of Max finding her letters?? hello why was he even in her closet? its all so convenient. the writing is ok. my mean nothing made me sit up and wonder wow! or ugh!. Even the choice of Monique was pretty apparent towards the end. my favourite part in this tome was her relationship with Harry. Nothing could be more tender and affectionate.

coming to.Rita Hayworthand Ava Gardner - these 2 women were my grand father's favourite heroine. He actually had a beautiful b/w of Ruta Hayworth in an old album. Hopefully, I'll be able to find it next time I visit home.

Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner - 3 of Hollywood's most beautiful women and boy did they rule the roost. Im.sorry to say Evelyn Hugo doesn't come even close to the splendour their names produce. I felt the book was more to titillate than to actually make you feel her power as a heroine or one who has a huge stake in the film world.

And @ Bookspective -To answer your question it was the third husband who was nothing more than a one night stand.

I'm officially done with this book.next month can we please have a thriller??? I cannot take another romance - and this from a die hard romance glutton. what's my world coming to?? boo hoo

it just struck me that th exist important question we need to discuss is euthanasia. After all, it was that article of Monique's that was one reason why she was the chosen one. And for the other, @ Savita you will need to read till the very end. its a no brainer once you reach the 60th chapter p)