Chapter 77 Summary: Now This – July 1, 1988
⚠️ 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 77 is presented as a gossip-column article dated July 1, 1988, titled “Now This.” The piece reports that Evelyn Hugo has filed for divorce from Max Girard, citing irreconcilable differences. It notes that although Hugo is experienced with divorce proceedings, this one is shaping up to be especially contentious. According to an unnamed insider, Girard is seeking spousal support and has been publicly bad-mouthing Hugo, calling her a cheater, a lesbian, and alleging she owes him her Oscar. The article also reveals that Hugo was recently seen dining in Los Angeles with Jack Easton, a 29-year-old Democratic congressman from Vermont—more than two decades younger than Hugo. The column suggests Girard’s remarks amount to sour grapes, framing the divorce scandal as a tabloid sensation.
Key Events
- Evelyn Hugo files for divorce from Max Girard, citing irreconcilable differences.
- Max Girard pursues spousal support and spreads damaging personal rumors about Hugo.
- Hugo is photographed on a date with Jack Easton, a much younger congressman.
- The gossip column characterizes Girard’s behavior as angry and retaliatory.
Character Development
- Evelyn Hugo – Though not directly quoted, Hugo’s public actions—filing for divorce, dating a younger man—continue her pattern of living boldly despite scandal. The article reinforces her reputation as a weathered divorcee unafraid of messy endings.
- Max Girard – Girard is revealed as vindictive and hurt, willing to weaponize private details (including Hugo’s sexuality and her Oscar) in a public forum. This marks a sharp turn from whatever private relationship they once had.
- Jack Easton – Introduced only as a young congressman; his brief appearance foreshadows a new romantic interest for Hugo and a potential shift in her public narrative.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Media and public image – The chapter is a pure example of tabloid journalism, showing how Hugo’s life is consumed and distorted by the press. The column shapes public perception without giving Hugo a voice.
- Scandal and reputation – Girard’s accusations (cheating, lesbianism) threaten Hugo’s carefully managed image. The timing of the date with Easton suggests Hugo is countering the narrative.
- Age and power – Hugo’s relationship with a younger man mirrors earlier dynamics in her life (e.g., with Harry Cameron) and comments on society’s double standards about age-gap relationships.
- Sour grapes – The article’s final line (“certainly sound like sour grapes”) introduces the motif of discrediting an ex-spouse’s claims, raising questions about truth and bias.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 77 serves as a public record of the divorce’s ugly turn, providing external evidence for the oral history structure of the novel. It shows how the media weaponized Hugo’s sexuality before she was ready to come out, and it places the present-day interview with Monique in a broader context of scandal. The chapter also introduces Jack Easton, who may be significant in Hugo’s later years.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does the tabloid article refer to Hugo’s divorce as “gonna be a doozy”?
The column emphasizes that Girard is fighting back with spousal support requests and damaging personal attacks, making this divorce more dramatic than Hugo’s previous ones. -
What does Girard’s accusation that Hugo “owes him her Oscar” reveal about their relationship?
It suggests Girard felt entitled to credit for Hugo’s professional success, possibly indicating resentment or a sense that he contributed to her award-winning performance. -
How does the mention of Jack Easton complicate the public narrative of the divorce?
Easton’s presence implies Hugo has moved on quickly, which could either support Girard’s claims of infidelity or suggest Hugo is simply living her life after filing for divorce.