Chapter summaries The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Taylor Jenkins Reid

Chapter 67: Now This (July 3, 1980) – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Chapter 67, titled “Now This: July 3, 1980,” consists entirely of a gossip column from that date. The article profiles a budding friendship between veteran actress Celia St. James and Hollywood newcomer Joan Marker. Marker, who earned acclaim for her role in Promise Me, is described as the season’s “It Girl.” Celia is portrayed as a mentor, squiring Marker to lunches and shopping trips in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. The columnist speculates that the two may be planning a film together, calling such a collaboration “a tour de force of performances.” The column is presented without commentary from Monique or any other character, leaving readers to interpret the piece solely through the lens of Evelyn’s earlier revelations.

Key Events

  • A tabloid column is published on July 3, 1980, reporting that Celia St. James and Joan Marker have been seen together in public multiple times.
  • The article positions Marker as a rising star and Celia as a gracious Hollywood elder.
  • No other narrative action occurs; the chapter is a single media artifact.

Character Development

  • Celia St. James: The column reinforces Celia’s public image as “America’s Sweetheart” – gracious, generous, and social. It shows her still actively navigating Hollywood society years after her peak. Notably, Evelyn Hugo is absent from the story, which may hint at a deliberate separation between Celia’s public life and her private history with Evelyn.
  • Joan Marker: Though she never appears elsewhere in the book, Marker is introduced as a promising young actress. Her association with Celia boosts her own profile and suggests she is being groomed for stardom.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Public vs. Private Identity: The chapter exemplifies how media narratives shape public perception. Celia’s friendship with Joan may be genuine, but the column obscures the deeper, hidden relationships that defined Celia’s past – especially her long‑term love for Evelyn.
  • Hollywood Mentorship: The article frames Celia as a mentor, feeding the industry’s myth of older stars guiding newcomers. This mirrors earlier instances where Evelyn used her influence to protect or advance those she cared about.
  • The Passage of Time: The 1980 date places this chapter after Evelyn’s seventh marriage. It reminds readers that life continues beyond Evelyn’s story, and that Celia’s trajectory has moved on to new associations.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a brief but potent reminder that the “truth” of Evelyn’s life is constantly countered by the versions Hollywood creates. For readers following Evelyn’s confession to Monique, the column is a piece of evidence that contradicts the intimacy Evelyn described with Celia – or at least suggests that Celia built a new public persona. It also deepens the sense of loss or separation between the two women. On a structural level, the chapter’s format (a raw newspaper clipping) breaks the normal narrative flow and forces the audience to actively interpret the clue.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does the gossip column imply about Celia St. James’s public life in 1980?
The column portrays Celia as a sociable, beloved star who actively mentors a younger actress. It implies she remains a figure of public interest, but it makes no mention of Evelyn Hugo, suggesting that whatever private connection they had is no longer a visible part of Celia’s life.

2. How might Monique (the interviewer) react to this article while listening to Evelyn’s story?
Monique, who has heard Evelyn’s confession of her love for Celia, would likely see the article as confirmation that Celia moved on publicly and possibly privately. It could raise questions for Monique about whether Evelyn’s version of the past matches the public record, reinforcing the theme of unreliable narratives.

3. Why is Joan Marker’s inclusion significant to the chapter’s purpose?
Joan Marker represents the new generation of Hollywood. Her presence alongside Celia highlights the industry’s constant turnover and the creation of fresh “It Girls.” It also serves as a counterpoint to Evelyn’s era, showing that the spotlight has shifted away from both Evelyn and Celia’s prime.

Navigation