The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

I loved this book from the first page. I would never have picked this up because I don’t usually read fantasy or time travel. I’ve not much interest in Faustian mythology. But oh my, I am so glad this was a book club selection. I thoroughly enjoyed this romp through 300 years of cultural history, dipping in and out of major events from the point of view of the downtrodden and other times the wealthy class. But it really isn’t about the day to day trials of a woman who lives forever. It is more about relationships and memories and the trades people are wiling to make for happiness. It is complex in its presentation of these thought problems and does not slip into superficial explanations. My only regret is that the story didn’t show more end a few pages earlier. I think the author or her editor felt the need for a few more explanations but I was fine with an ending that assumed the reader would be satisfied. show less

Addie LaRue is completely unable to make a mark on this world. She is forgotten the moment she is out of sight, her writing erases itself, and she can't even manage to hold on to any material possessions, except a wooden ring that is the symbol of her deal with the devil. Addie asked for freedom, to not be tied down to convention, but we all know that you have to be careful what you wish for. Addie has all the freedom she could want, and then some, and her bargain is good until she tires of being unendingly forgotten, at which point the devil will claim her soul.
The devil thinks he's gotten a good deal, making a bargain with a rash young girl, but he didn't count on Addie. Realizing that "ideas are wilder than memories" and can't be so show more easily controlled, she makes the terms of the bargain work for her. Perhaps she is an artist's muse for a while or she plants a musical riff that grows into a hit song, or finds some other way to live on (anonymously) through art. On top of that, she really does have freedom to experience all the world has to offer, and she's been experiencing it for 300 years.

And then, someone remembers her. After so much time, can Addie even have a relationship with someone who actually remembers her from one day to the next? What will she learn about her relationship to the world? And will it make her rethink the bargain she made so long ago?

Addie is a wonderfully strong, brave character, who will stick with you (haunt you?) long after you finish this book. The book is a trifle too long, but the payoff at the end is worth it.

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. show less

Addie LaRue is desperate for a life outside of her small village in France and the deeply worn path that everyone else seems content to follow. She makes a deal with the darkness for more time on earth in exchange for her soul. The unforeseen cost is that no one she meets will ever remember her. And so Addie makes her way across decades and cities, people and events for 300 years. Until one day in 2014 she meets a man in a bookshop who remembers her.

Such a beautiful novel. Addie is a compelling character who grapples with her identity and her humanity as we follow her in chapters set both in her present in 2014 as well as seeing how she's made her way through her life over the centuries. While there's richly drawn historical fiction show more details, the draw here is the character study and the exploration of what makes life worthwhile. With obvious strong appeal for fans of Faust and The Portrait of Dorian Gray, fans of Schwab's previous novels will also find details to love here particularly in her character of the dark being who makes the deal with Addie. Recommended. show less

I have been reduced to a puddle of my own tears and when I say tears I mean silent hiccup sobbing, wake the hubby at 3 a.m. from sniffling too hard tears.

It was: the anguish of hopelessness--> the possibility of something good and true---> impossible fruition---> joy the likes of which are nearly incomprehensible---> loss so profound you might never recover---> ??

Mrs. Schwab's The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of her best works to date and that's saying a lot since Shade of Magic happens to be really high up on my top 10 favorite series of all time. Addie Larue was enticing and gripping right out of the gate. It was engaging and never once did I wish it would hurry up or stop focusing on one aspect in favor of another. The pacing show more was excellent, never a lull or rough spot. And the writing was poignant and meaningful just as we have come to expect in a Victoria Schwab book. The world developement was detailed. I was transported around the world and I felt the character's pain, lived their challenges, right there alongside them. The backdrops were so vivid I could smell the putrid stench of Life centuries ago. I felt the defeated, unjust terror of being a lone woman in a man's world, having to make heartbreaking decisions just to keep on living.

As usual, we were blessed with morally ambiguous characters, just like she normally writes them... just like I like to read them... this time from 2 vastly different POVs. We were led on a journey through centuries of (oft times) hard living all the way up to modern day with First World problems. Our 2 MCs were almost polar opposites who were floundering in their lives and just about had enough. They were lost (in the most dire meaning of the word) and ready to do WHATEVER was necessary to drastically change their lot in life. They mostly struggled with the choice(s) they made, choices that led to consequences more akin to curses rather than blessings. And just when you think their solo stories have reached rock bottom... they somehow find one another. These opposing magnets find themselves flipped about, hopelessly addicted and uncontrollably attracted to one another as only 2 strong magnets can be. The characters were elegantly, subtly, brilliantly built up, so much so that I hardly noticed their depths until I was fully engrossed and completely invested. Their troubles were tangible and the characters so robust, I actually (emotionally) felt them, heard them, was them. AND then there's the antagonist: is he a God, the devil, a dark spirit, an enemy, a lover?? Dive in, you know you want answers.

Overall:

This was an emotional rollercoaster ride and oh so worth the hurt! I loved every moment and I can't recommend it highly enough.

~ Enjoy show less

' "Nothing is all good or all bad," she says. "Life is much messier than that." '

I absolutely adored this book. The beautiful way it was written was enchanting to read and the story was complex and captivating. The supernatural aspect was so interesting and unique that I found myself wanting to know how it ended from the very beginning.

Addie was cursed to live an invisible existence in a world where she just wanted to leave her mark and I sympathized with her pain, but also felt infuriated at times with her character. Her character arc was something I couldn't get enough of though, and I was rooting for her. She was quirky, a bit selfish, resourceful, and strong willed.

The way the story flipped from past to present threw me off a show more couple times but I enjoyed the story arc and the ending was fitting(but a little tragic). This book really makes you think but I loved it! 5 ⭐! show less

i wouldn't have thought this would be up my alley, but i really, really liked this. first of all, schwab can write. i loved her writing, which more than overcame my hesitation of the concept and general aversion to stories of immortality and the devil, etc. i'm honestly not sure how much i would have liked this if her writing wasn't so fantastic, but i ended up really interested in the story as well and thought this was just such a good book and so well done.

i love the meditation on what it means to be remembered, and how we can leave lasting impressions on people and the world. on what matters most in living and in relationships. this is just beautiful.

"Day breaks like an egg yolk, spilling yellow light across the field."

18th century French peasant Adeline LaRue wants to live her life on her own terms, not under the control of a husband. She prays to every god she has heard of -- the Christian God, but also the little gods of wood and stream -- and for a while, it seems to work, as one potential suitor, then another, turns his eye in another direction. But when she makes on last, desperate prayer on what would have been her wedding day, Someone else answers her prayer. Addie sells her soul to the devil in exchange for freedom for as long as she wants it, but there's a catch (when you make a deal with the devil, there's always a catch): she will be unremembered. As soon as she leaves another person's line of sight, they will forget her completely. For show more nearly 300 years, Addie lives this lonely existence, reveling in her freedom to explore all of the world's wonders, but then, one day, somebody remembers her...

Schwab's writing is always marked by tight plotting and complex characters, and this book is no exception to that rule. It's a fascinating read (I quibbled a bit at some of the minor historical details, but I won't go into that), and the emotions in the book are likewise deep and moving. If you enjoy this sort of story, I definitely recommend it. show less