Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – A Story of Immortality, Memory & Identity

In The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, V.E. Schwab weaves a hauntingly beautiful tale of a young woman who makes a deal with the devil—gaining immortality, but cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. In this review, we explore the novel's themes of identity, love, art, and what it truly means to leave a mark on the world. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, historical fiction, or emotionally rich storytelling, this book is one that lingers long after the final page.

 

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Few books bring a smile to my face, at the mere mention of them. Cecelia Ahern’s Love, Rosie; Matthew Reilly’s Contest; Sophie Kinsella’s Undomestic Goddess; Rachel Gibson’s Sex, Lies and Online Dating; P.C. Cast’s Goddess by Mistake; John Grogan’s Marley & Me… the list is long and ever-growing… recently, I added Victoria E. Schwab’s Invisible Life of Addie LaRue to the list. Anytime, anyone mentions it… or I see someone reading it… It actually feels like the book is making a friend suggestion to me, in real life. And I can’t help but smile. So, come along, fellow bookworm… it’s time to take a trip… not only through the world… but also, through TIME… 😊

 

So, first things first… I’m not sure what genre this book should be filed under. I mean, it is fiction, and there is a part of it that takes place in historical time… but it isn’t completely set in one time period… it is also romance, but it isn’t a traditional love story… it is also contemporary, paranormal and even fantasy… but I think if I have to categorize this, I’d rather chart this up, as …. Magical Realism… So I suppose, we are adding one more theme to our “Let’s try something new era”…

 

Victoria E. Schwab, is a well known author… some 20 odd books … she’s got some real great fantasy series under her belt, a handful of NY Times bestsellers to her name… She’s a lady that has done very well for herself… but it took Addie LaRue to bring her to my notice. And glad, I am for this introduction, indeed.

 

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, is like we said earlier…. Magical Realism. In 1714, in a small village in France… a 23 year old girl, is being forced into a marriage. This girl though born in the small village, yearns for something her world is unwilling to give her…. Freedom. Freedom to choose, freedom to have opinions, freedom to live her life… so on the eve of her wedding, desperate.. she runs into the woods by the village… kneels and prays to any god who would listen, any god who would answer. And her prayers are indeed answered… whether by the god or something else… is up for scrutiny for later 😊… She prays for freedom and he grants her… immortality. And since nothing in life ever is free… his boon comes with a heavy price… Addie will live forever but will be forgotten by everyone she meets.

With that bargain, starts a journey of 300 years… through centuries and continents. Adventures across art and history…and her struggle to make her mark. For 300 years, Addie tries and fails and tries again to leave an impression on the world, that is fated to forget her when the day ends. And one day, she stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookshop who remembers her name.

 

Addie LaRue, is a novel that deals with a LOT of themes. Feminism, Patriarchy, gender identity, LGBTQ+, self-expression, abusive relationships … even depression. And I think it’s a novel that will incite polarizing opinions in its readers. It’s a book that will make you take a look at your life and ask.. “Do you think a life has any value if one doesn’t leave some mark upon the world?”

 

Story of Addie is more than just a story about an immortal girl. If someone else, more regular, was put in her shoes, I don’t think they would have survived. I mean, can you imagine living forever but not being able to make friends? Or have someone love them? Or just to have a place or a café where you are a regular? 300 years is a long time to be alone. It would have grated on anyone else. And it pinches Addie, who moves through the world like an apparition, seen fleetingly but forgotten the moment she leaves. The only constant in her life…. Is the devil, who cursed her… she names him Luc, because he refuses to share his name with her… and he is bent on seeing her break. To his chagrin, Addie doesn’t break. Even after 300 years, her enthusiasm for life hasn’t dimmed. She is still curious and still excited about everything. She has met a lot of people, and have loved a few too. Which means she’s had her heart broken multiple times too. But she hasn’t given up… she still yearns for someone to know her, someone to remember her…

Then comes Henry. 28 years old, with a broken heart of his own… wishing for someone to love him… to want him and cherish him… and HE remembers Addie. He has his own pain, his own story. But he and Addie are like two puzzle pieces. They FIT together.

 

The interaction between Addie, and Luc and then her relationship with Henry… both offer us two different versions of Addie. And I loved both of them. The way Victoria Schwab has built the world through Addie’s eyes and adventures… is something to be savoured at a slow pace. And the author does it fabulous justice. A lot of people might find the pace of this novel slow or languid, but I think that’s where the beauty of this novel lies. The slow-moving narration of a girl who sees the world, one day at a time. Who the world can have only one day at a time. The language, the pace, and the narration all has its own special place in building a story of Addie. And OMG … what a brilliant woman, Addie LaRue is. She's everything I want to be... Smart, opinionated, tough, emotional, creative, simply unstoppable.... She loved and lost and found herself... Loved some more and practically reinvented herself every single day.

She's dealt a hand that would've crushed a normal person... Would've made anyone else give up, run away, surrender .. but she didn't. She is stubborn as a mountain and equally formidable.

She inspires and makes you believe... She teaches you to be content and look forward to moving, progressing, make the best from the worst....I LOVED her...Loved her so much, that I really wish I could actually meet her.... 😃

 

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is for anyone who wants to take a stroll through infinity. It’s an experience that everyone should have. Because trust you me…. Addie is wonderful friend.

 

If you have read, do let me know what you thought of the novel. If you haven’t… what are you waiting for… Addie has endless time in her hands… not you… 😊… so Get Reading.