20 Quotes From The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Published in 2017, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo forms one part of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s quartet featuring famous fictional women.
The story follows a 1950s movie star as she unravels the secrets of her past. It’s a fantastic read that was well received by critics and gained huge popularity on TikTok, selling more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.
The book is currently being adapted into a movie by Netflix, and is set to be directed by Maggie Betts (who replaces Leslye Headland).
This post outlines 20 of the best quotes from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, starting with the book’s synopsis.
Synopsis
“Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?
Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.
Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the '80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love.
Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.”
Quotes
About Life
“But the truth is, praise is just like an addiction. The more you get it, the more of it you need just to stay even.”
“Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.”
“Never let anyone make you feel ordinary.”
“You do not know how fast you have been running, how hard you have been working, how truly exhausted you are, until somewhat stands behind you and says, ‘It’s OK, you can fall down now. I’ll catch you.’”
“Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other times reality simply waits, patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it.”
“Please never forget that the sun rises and sets with your smile. At least to me it does. You’re the only thing on this planet worth worshipping.”
“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.”
“You can be sorry about something and not regret it.”
“You have to find a job that makes your heart feel big instead of one that makes it feel small.”
“I guess what I’m saying is it’s not all luck, it’s luck and being a son of a bitch.”
“So do yourself a favor and learn how to grab life by the balls, dear. Don’t be so tied up trying to do the right thing when the smart thing is so painfully clear.”
About Love and Heartbreak
“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 stand in front of them bare and their response is 'you're safe with me'- that's intimacy.”
“People are messy, and love can be ugly. I’m inclined to always err on the side of compassion.”
“If you are intolerable, let me be the one to tolerate you.”
“Which is about the cruelest thing you can do to someone you love, give them just enough good to make them stick through a hell of a lot of bad.”
“It’s always been fascinating to me how things can be simultaneously true and false, how people can be good and bad all in one, how someone can love you in a way that is beautifully selfless while serving themselves ruthlessly."
“Women who collected rare jewels seemed exactly the same as men who were desperate to have just one night with me. The world was about objects to them; all they wanted to do was possess.”
“Be wary of men with something to prove.”
“Sometimes divorce isn’t an earth-shattering loss. Sometimes it’s just two people waking up out of a fog.”
“And of course, that’s the easiest lie to tell, one you know the other person desperately wants to be true.”
Do you have a favourite quote from the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo? Leave a comment and let me know!