My Favourite Quotes from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

If you’ve read my about me page and/or my review of this brilliant book written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I recently heard that the book is being made into a movie, and I cannot be more excited! So, in light of this news, I’ve decided to write an article on my 10 favourite quotes from the book.

***WARNING!***
* There will be major spoilers for the book in this article, so proceed only if you wish. You have been warned! *

10
“I can’t speak for all people who have been hit by someone they love, but I can tell you that forgiveness is different from absolution” – Evelyn Hugo

When you forgive someone, it does not mean that the mistake never happened, only that you were able to work past it. Evelyn Hugo made this quote when meeting Don Adler for the first time since their divorce – thanks to his abusive behaviour. Don was the first man Evelyn truly fell in love with, but the marriage soon turned sour. He was violent towards her, and they divorced after he had an affair.
Fast forward to them crossing paths again on a movie set. Could Evelyn forgive him? Don was highly apologetic, sober and a changed man. That does not mean Evelyn was obligated to forgive him. But Evelyn did because they would have to make this movie together and she needed to work.
Evelyn forgave, but she made it crystal clear that forgiveness did not change the fact that he hit her. I think this is a powerful moment for Evelyn and a good lesson for all of us; especially in the world we live in today.It’s not a black-and-white thing; forgiveness can be messy and complicated. Evelyn’s story is a reminder that forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, and sometimes, it’s more about practicality than letting bygones be bygones.

9
“No… because they are just husbands. I am Evelyn Hugo. And anyways, I think once people know the truth, they will be much more interested in my wife.” – Evelyn Hugo

This just about sums up the book in three sentences. Yes, the thing that draws everyone to Evelyn’s story is the fact that she had seven husbands. However, she is so much more than that and this is the essence of the book. She speaks  her truth. She is her own woman and she was in love with a woman, Celia St. James.

8
“I’m bisexual. Don’t ignore half of me so that you can fit me into a box.” – Evelyn Hugo

Like the last quote, this has a significant meaning. The book narrates the true, unfiltered story of Evelyn Hugo. A major revelation is that Evelyn’s true love was Celia St James and that Evelyn identified as bisexual. She truly loves Celia and was at her happiest with Celia, Harry, John and Connor. The book is a powerful coming-out story that celebrates love and acceptance, at a time when it was dangerous to be openly gay, and shows that there is no shame in being true to oneself.

7
“Say to them, “Evelyn Hugo just wants to go home. It’s time for her to be with her daughter, and her lover, and her best friend, and her mother.” Tell them Evelyn Hugo says goodbye.” – Evelyn Hugo

This is one of the saddest quotes in the book.It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. Evelyn,despite her flaws, has faced so much hardship throughout her life, including death, abuse, and grief. It’s heartbreaking to see her struggle.  It’s time for that to end. She finally gets to reunite with all the people she loves most. She acknowledges she is not have been the best person, but she makes people fall in love with her story. Her life. Herself. That is why every time I read this quote, my heart hurts.

6
“The devastating luxury of panic overtook me. And it has never left.” – Evelyn Hugo

This line is so sad. Multiple times in the book, Evelyn describes that feeling of knowing you must do something when someone is dying, and then, when they pass, you have time to think. To panic. To mourn. To scream. To cry. This breaks my heart everytime I think about it. The first time this line is used is after her best friend, Harry Cameron dies and then each time someone she truly loves dies, it overtakes her and the reader again.  

5
“Which is just about the cruellest 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.” – Evelyn Hugo

I think of this quote quite a lot. As Evelyn expresses multiple times throughout the book, she felt like she had to hide the side of her that loved Celia. That she couldn’t let anyone know. One way she kept it secret was by engaging in sex with various men, one being Don Adler while working on a movie. She also chose not to tell her about it until days later. She constantly felt like she had to hide it, and that chipped away at Celia. But Evelyn still gave Celia just enough good, did just enough, to make her stay and a big part of that was how much they loved each other.

4
“I spent half my time loving her, and the other half hiding how much I loved her” – Evelyn Hugo 

As you’ve probably noticed by now, one of my favourite parts of the book and one I revisit in my mind and heart often is the relationship between Evelyn and Celia. This links to the last quote and is slightly sad. I mean, I know how dangerous it was to be a part of the LGBT+ community at that time, but that makes it even worse. Evelyn shouldn’t have had to feel like she had to hide her true self. Hide the truth of who she loved. And this was a part of that bad, but once she realised she needn’t hide it, that gave Celia the good that made her stay

3
“And just as she was about to leave the microphone, she said ‘And to anyone tempted to kiss the TV tonight, please don’t chip your tooth.” – Celia St. James

This quote always brings a smile to my face every time I think about it. It’s about Celia winning an Oscar and Evelyn being so happy that the woman she loved had finally won an Oscar that she kissed the TV screen and chipped her tooth. This time, Celia had won another Oscar and remembered to tell Evelyn not to chip her tooth again. This quote is heartwarming and shows that even when they have disagreements or aren’t speaking, their love for each other remains intact

2
“Evelyn, who was your great love? You can tell me.”Evelyn looks out the window, breathes in deeply, and then says, “Celia St. James.”The room is quiet as Evelyn lets herself hear her own words. And then she smiles, a bright, wide, deeply sincere smile. She starts laughing to herself and then refocuses on me. “I feel like I spent my entire life loving her.” – Monique Grant and Evelyn Hugo

These lines sum up a big part of the reason why I love this book and Evelyn’s true character and story. I truly love to read and think about Evelyn and Celia’s relationship and Jenkins Reid writes it so beautifully. I think about the book and their relationship every single day (even during school!) and it brings me both incredible joy and heartbreak.

1
“But if you have to go, then go. Go if it hurts. Go if it’s time. Go knowing you were loved, that I will never forget you, that you will live on in everything Connor and I do. Go knowing that I love you purely, Harry, that you were an amazing father. Go knowing I told you all my secrets. Because you were my best friend.” – Evelyn Hugo

Well, I guess this is my top quote. This quote breaks my heart every time I think about it (and cry when I read it). This quote is said as Harry Cameron takes his final breaths. His and Evelyn’s relationship is my favourite part of the book. I love their relationship since the moment they met and how much respect they have for each other. How happy they make each other. Their little family. Their daughter. Them. Their relationship makes my heart fill with joy, and his death makes my heart weep. I cry every time I read that part, and I’ve read it a lot. Despite this quote being so heartbreaking, I think about it the most and it’s my favourite quote.