The Edge of Intimacy
A Review of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
“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 can stand in front of them bare and their response is ‘You’re safe with me’ — that’s intimacy.”
Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to speak her truth. One of the biggest Hollywood movie stars of all time, her seven marriages have made more headlines than her accolades. And after retiring from acting in the 1980s, she has carefully eluded the press for years — until now.
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best-selling historical fiction novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo unfolds when at 79, film legend Evelyn Hugo decides to give an exclusive interview to the relatively unknown writer Monique Grant. What follows is an intricate recounting of Evelyn Hugo’s seven husbands and how each marriage has played a significant role in her complicated journey towards ambition, fame, self-identification, and love.
In Seven Husband’s center is the main character’s sexuality. “I’m bisexual. Don’t ignore half of me so you can fit me in a box…” was Evelyn’s retort when Monique asked her if she would come out as a gay woman in her biography. Evelyn’s one true love has always been a…
