The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Fantasy
Rating:
Synopsis
France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him and Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive.
Goodreads
Thank you to Tor Publishing for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links. You can read more on my disclosures page.
Review
Okay wow! First, it should be known the V.E. Schwab is one of my favorite authors! So I knew I would like The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. I didn’t just like it, I loved it. This is a book that provokes deep thoughts. It really makes you examine your life and what you want out of it. Well, at least it did for me. And so this review may be a bit more cerebral than others.
Addie’s journey is so wonderful and steeped in culture and history. Addie was a woman before her time, he longed not to be trapped in the life laid out for her. I think that is something we can all relate to in some way. This book alternates between (roughly) present-day and the past. It begins with Addie’s life, then we see her fateful bargain being made and then we live 300 years with her. All the while seeing who Addie is now. In the beginning, I didn’t know if I really liked Addie, but as the story progressed I saw that she was doing the best she could. I learned to respect Addie’s strength and determination.
I have often thought – because I’m that sort of person – if I was to go back in time where would I go. And to be honest, as a woman the answer is I don’t. While that isn’t what Addie is about, it is touched on in the story. Which only made me respect Addie more. Perhaps being “invisible” helped in some way.
This book also makes you realize how important it is to be truly seen. Through Addie, we live a life where that isn’t truly a life. The sting of not being remembered and the joy of someone finally knowing her. It makes me so appreciative of the people in my life that see me and love me for who I am. And it makes me want to ensure that others feel the same way.
I have to admit the end of this book really hit me. We are talking ugly tears! But well worth it to have read the beautiful story! I remember you…
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