What is a person, if not the marks they leave behind? She has learned to step between the thorny weeds, but there are some cuts that cannot be avoided—a memory, a photograph, a name
Summary:
A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.
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.
My Thoughts:
V.E. Schwab is undeniably one of my favorite authors, a position she has held for a few years now, even as my list of favorite authors continues to grow. While there were aspects of Addie LaRue that I absolutely loved. There were also elements that didn’t quite resonate with me. Since its release, I’ve noticed mixed reviews for the book, and I find myself somewhere in the middle. What has taken me so long to read this book if I love Schwab so much? Simply, the wait at the library. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I purchased an ebook version of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
Upon Addie’s pact with Luc, my interest in the story was piqued, though I wasn’t particularly drawn to the constant shifts between the past and the present. While the past chapters held significance in the broader narrative, they just did not pull me in. This is a me problem, I do not like narrative that shift between times.
The introduction of Harry, however, changed the dynamics for me. I lost interest in delving into Addie’s past struggles, as she had already come far enough to make it to the present timeline. The addition of Harry to Addie’s life and the developments to follow really had me flying through the pages. Harry’s story offered a glimpse into why one might strike a deal with an otherworldly being in the 21st century. I know there are mixed feeling about Harry, regardless of what others have to say, I loved him.
One standout aspect was the relationship Schwab crafted between Addie and Luc, a true highlight of the “past” chapters. Luc is a god-like figure who enjoys orchestrating deals with humans that come at steep cost. Despite claiming a lack of humanity, his connection with Addie over the years seems to help me develop humanish emotions. He is growing to obsessively loves Addie, while simultaneously, Addie is losing her humanity and merging with the shadows. Despite the complexity of their relationship, some readers may not believe in Addie’s love for Luc. I think they have grown to love each other in a cat and mouse sort of way.
So much can be said for Schwab’s whimsical writing. It is what I like most about her style. But, having read her other work, something is missing here. I can’t pin point one exact thing, it is just a feeling I had while reading. It is that feeling that keeps me from rating The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue 5 stars.
Overall, I found the story enjoyable, providing an interesting take on selling one’s soul. While The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is not my favorite work by Schwab, it is still a worthwhile read. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a solid 3.5/4 stars.
Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue?
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