Evelyn Hugo in "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" (Taylor Jenkins Reid) is quite different from the women in "The Yellow Wallpaper" (short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman) or "To Room Nineteen" (short story by Doris Lessing) that I read last month. She is fierce, bold, socially and politically astute, and pioneers her life autonomously. Evelyn distinguishes between sex as an act and sexuality as a serious expression of desire and pleasure, while not conforming to stereotypes, sometimes using sex as a transaction.
If Evelyn's love for her seven husbands can be categorized as sex and friendship (especially with Harry), understanding (especially with Robert), her love for Cecelia can be seen as sexuality, and her love for her daughter Connor can be seen as maternal. This novel seems to tell us about living and loving in all its forms through Evelyn's life story.
Another important aspect addressed in this novel is 'identity.' Evelyn is Cuban but adorns herself like a white person, engages in social activities, and is bisexual. Monique, who ghostwrites Evelyn's life story, is biracial, born between black and white. Readers can perceive their anxieties and confused emotions revealed throughout the novel. Just as Evelyn firmly establishes her identity as she lives, Monique's journey to find herself was also impressive.
One interesting aspect of this novel is the insertion of news articles and blog posts throughout. Not only do they deliver necessary information to the novel without being boring, but they also create an effect that makes Evelyn's story feel real.
