“Never let anyone make you feel ordinary”
In the world of contemporary romance and historical fiction, everyone and their mother are familiar with Evelyn Hugo. Either, they have read her name in between the lines of a book or heard of her name that is universally loved in the literary specific subset of social media.
Pitched as historical fiction and set in the 1950s, the book follows two narratives and timelines, one of a junior writer named Monique and the other of Evelyn Hugo. Evelyn Hugo, a huge name in the movie business lived an outstandingly glamourous and scandalous life; most of which is owed to her seven marriages to her seven husbands. Other than this little piece of information, no one knows much about her; she kept her life very private and never appeared for an interview during her forty years in show business. The story unfolds in short alternating chapters between the narratives of Evelyn Hugo and Monique when the secretive movie star approaches Monique to write her tell-all biography.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s writing is eminently fast-paced, exhilarating and captivating. The book is divided into seven chapters, with each chapter delving into Evelyn Hugo’s marriage with each of her seven husbands. The plot itself is interesting enough; readers, as well as Monique, want to find out why this vastly prominent personality would choose Monique, a first-year fluff-piece staff writer at a New York magazine, to write her autobiography. But as the book gains further momentum at just a few chapters in, the whole book becomes character-driven. Short chapters in alternating narratives and points of view do not permit a substantial probability of readers getting invested in characters, but TJR’s writing style gives the reader not only wiggle-room but the flexibility to get attached to her characters.
Evelyn Hugo is a character that is absolutely memorable. Many readers on Goodreads, a book cataloguing website, agree that the plot would be forgotten over time, the writing soon after.
But the characters?
Evelyn Hugo?
She is now a household name in the world of Contemporary Fiction. Evelyn Hugo’s character is layered and complex, an inspiring and strong woman. She is fiery, ruthless and unapologetic. Her actions and dealings with other people may seldom be agreeable, but even if readers don’t see eye to eye with Evelyn’s choices, they still hate to love her. The lessons and statements Evelyn Hugo gives and makes highlight her warrior-like personality.
“When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”
There are various books with the trope of a found-family, habitually linked through friendship. TJR’s 6th release appealingly encapsulated the epitome of a beautiful found-family. She captured the full lives of Evelyn Hugo and her loved ones and put it in picture within 385 pages. Though short, the love and relationships that are developed during an entire generational life-span, sacrifices and battles fought, won and lost between them show the beauty of a found family.
“When you write the ending, Monique, make sure the reader understands that all I was ever really looking for was family. Make sure it’s clear that I found it. Make sure they know that I am heartbroken without it.”
Through an enthralling lens, this book contains a myriad of lessons to be learnt; of how the world viewed women in the 1950s, how people would rather accept the idea of someone rather than the reality of the person, how discrimination based on gender, race and sexuality did not excuse anyone behind closed doors. How women were expected to tone down their personalities to confine to gender norms, how women alone were shamed for being a divorcee and how remarriage was so frowned upon if you were a normal person, but romanticized if you had a higher standing in society.
“Make them pay you what they would pay a white man”
Through it all, Evelyn Hugo continuously stayed true to who she was. She was invariably honest about her intentions and actions and always acknowledged her mistakes and flaws. This is what shifted the substance of the novel from being plot-driven to character-driven. Toward the end, the book’s tenor shifts back to the story with a smack-you-in-the-face plot twist that would not be easy for readers to guess.
Hyped-up books can sometimes be underwhelming, expectations may not be met and frustrations may grow. This book, however -diving into it with the angst of what a reader may face with a hyped-up book, or a well-loved movie or show- did not disappoint. Taylor Jenkins Reid created a book that might one day be a classic, and a fictional character that is growing, evolving and flawed in such a human way, you might believe she is real.
“People are messy, and love can be ugly. I’m inclined to always err on the side of compassion.”