From the Bookshelf of The Swiftie Bookclub…

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Start date: July 1, 2022

Finish date: July 31, 2022

Discussion: JULY | Evelyn Hugo

Why we're reading this: “Another name goes up in lights
You wonder if you'll make it out alive
And they'll tell you now, you're the…more
[close] “Another name goes up in lights
You wonder if you'll make it out alive
And they'll tell you now, you're the lucky one / Yeah, they'll tell you now, you're the lucky one / Can you tell me now you're the lucky one?” — The Lucky One (Taylor’s version), Taylor Swift

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What Members Thought

Jul 15, 2021 Andrea rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtqia, age-rating-17

I don't have the words to describe this book.
5 stars

-had me sobbing
-read it pls ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Sep 20, 2021 anna rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: autumn-books

Rückblickend war es gar nicht so gut

6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 25, 2021 Naahy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: made-me-ugly-cry

This book induced a headache. Why? Because I cried so hard. Wait, that's an understatement. I sobbed. HARD.

This book had been recommended to me by so many people and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. I genuinely felt like I was watching a movie; it did not feel like I was reading words on a page, you know?

Evelyn Hugo is a wonderfully written character. She feels so, so real. So human, so vulnerable, so complex. I cannot help but admire her; she is a woman who knew what she wanted and w This book induced a headache. Why? Because I cried so hard. Wait, that's an understatement. I sobbed. HARD.

This book had been recommended to me by so many people and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. I genuinely felt like I was watching a movie; it did not feel like I was reading words on a page, you know?

Evelyn Hugo is a wonderfully written character. She feels so, so real. So human, so vulnerable, so complex. I cannot help but admire her; she is a woman who knew what she wanted and went to hell and back to make sure she got it. Sure, she had done some questionable things to get where she is but she is not ashamed about it; she embraces it and admits her faults.

(view spoiler)[This book also has THE best bi representation. Evelyn has loved both men and women (actually, just one woman) and she accepts this facet of her identity fully. In the beginning, she is unable to be open about this part of her life but it is only because at the time, society had deemed it unacceptable for a man to love a man or a woman to love a woman. This is something that causes a lot of friction between Evelyn and the love of her life, Celia, but I absolutely am in awe with some of the sacrifices Evelyn makes just so she and Celia can be together.

I love the different types of love that this book explores as well. Evelyn says that while Celia was the love of her life, the person she had the most pure love for was Harry Cameron. He is one of the best things about this book; he is kind, respectful, and charming. If he weren't gay, I think they would have made a lovely couple. They end up getting married and having a baby together but only because they can't see themselves taking this step with anyone else. Their relationship was perfect - a platonic partnership that lasted years and years, which Celia herself supported.

This is how Evelyn's life becomes entangled with Monique Grant, a journalist who she seeks out to write her life story. As it turns out, Monique's own father was queer and in a relationship with Harry when they both died in a car crash. In order to save Harry's reputation (as he was drunk when he was behind the wheel), Evelyn moves his body and plants Monique's father in the driver's seat. It is a plot twist that I never saw coming; sure, I wondered why Evelyn wanted Monique specifically to be the one who tells her story. I had a lot of theories but none came close to what really happened. I genuinely gasped out loud when this was revealed.

This book had such a profound impact on me. I am not queer so I cannot relate to this story on a personal level but it broke my heart knowing that so many people out there could not (& still cannot) be authentically themselves. I think that's what affected me the most; Evelyn and Celia's love for one another is raw and honest but they have to hide this from the world. My heart ached for Harry too, who was so close to finding happiness again with Monique's father after the love of his life passed away. It seems so unfair and so cruel to be forced to conceal your identity. Yes, Evelyn and Celia do get to spend their lives together until Celia passes away but they both lost many years together because of society's intolerance. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I recommend this book to all. Taylor Jenkins Reid is an excellent author who has the ability to make you, the reader, feel like you're seeing the story unfold right before your eyes. You will experience a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this book so be prepared with lots of tissues! ...more

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Apr 10, 2022 Luna Ferguson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: absolute-favourites

I have never been so in love with a set of characters in my life, this book had me gripped from start to finish. The characters are flawed and beautiful I absolutely adore every word on every page of this story. The bisexual representation has a place in my heart too!

ps I was reading this once in my bfs car and started hysterically crying and the parking ticket person made eye contact with me and just walked off

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