Evelyn Hugo: The Star Who Broke All the Rules

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a powerful commentary on the ways in which identity is shaped by external forces like gender and media. It shows how women in male-dominated spaces, especially public ones like Hollywood, must constantly renegotiate their place within a system that seeks to define them by narrow, often harmful, terms.

The book delivers a powerful message about how gender roles and societal expectations can confine individuals. Throughout the novel, Evelyn faces intense pressure to look a certain way, behave according to societal expectations, and, above all, be perfect in the public eye. Her seven marriages are often more about public image than real love, and this reflects how women, even today, are often judged by their relationships rather than their abilities.

Evelyn challenges these norms by making decisions that serve her goals, even if they’re unconventional. The book resonates with young girls like me for many reasons.

Something that stuck with me is that you don’t have to fit into society’s narrow definitions of who you should be. The book encourages young people to break free from these stereotypes and define success and happiness on their own terms.

The role of media in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a powerful critique that is very relatable. In today’s world, social media often dictates how we see ourselves and others. In the book, the media portrays Evelyn based on gossip and scandal, reducing her to a series of headlines about her marriages rather than recognizing her talent and hard work. This is still true for many women in the public eye today, who are often judged more for their personal lives than their achievements.

For young people who live in an age where social media dominates so much of their lives, Evelyn’s story serves as a reminder to think critically about the images and narratives the media pushes. It highlights the importance of not letting others define your worth based on curated versions of your life, teaching young audiences to be mindful of how much power the media holds over shaping public opinion.

Evelyn's final act of reclaiming her story is a radical act of education in itself—teaching the world a lesson about the complexities of female identity that it so often ignores. By telling her story on her own terms, Evelyn disrupts the narrative that the media and society have long imposed on her, offering a more authentic reflection of the struggles and strength women face in the pursuit of both personal and professional autonomy.

At its heart, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is about owning your story.

For a generation constantly bombarded with social media perfection and public pressure, Evelyn’s unapologetic reclaiming of her life is empowering. Young readers can learn from Evelyn’s mistakes and her triumphs, seeing that while the world may judge you for how you look or who you love, only you have the power to define your own identity.