The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Schwab V.E.
A young woman makes a Faustian deal to live forever in a moment of desperation in France in 1714, but she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she encounters as a result. Thus starts Addie LaRue’s amazing existence, a glittering adventure that will span decades, countries, history, and art as a young lady discovers how far she is willing to go to make her mark on the world. But all changes when Addie runs across a young man in a secret bookstore after nearly 300 years and he recognizes her name.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Schwab V.E.
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Addie LaRue desires a life that includes more than the potential husband she has been matched with; she rejects the idea of settling down in a small town and leading a life of menial labour in favour of travelling and experiencing new things. However, in rural France in the 18th century, a woman of her birth had few options other than to be a wife and mother. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with this, but Addie’s restrictions cause her to feel hopeless, and in an ill-advised meeting with the devil, she strikes a deal in which she can live forever but no one will remember her because the moment she leaves their sight, she vanishes from their memories.
Yes, liberating. To be invisible and to lead a life on the fringe where everything is brand new must be nice, in a way. Although Addie can return to the same locations, meet the same people, and hold their shared experiences close to her heart, she quickly realizes that this is a lonely existence where intimacy shared one evening is forgotten by morning and that, despite her best efforts, she is never recognized, the closeness is never remembered, and her life is meaningless.
She won’t experience the joy of having someone remember her again until she runs across Henry, who does. Henry is not the devil who visits her every year, but she may end her existence and be free of shame if she is willing to give the deal-making devil, known to Addie as Luc, her immortal soul.
The devil fits the description of a “beautiful person who truly should be avoided but from whom it is difficult to steer clear” well. He is seductive, sensual, and an ephemeral “bad boy.” Following the reverberations that Addie creates throughout history adds an additional fascinating depth. Addie is a strong female character who loves fiercely and with loyalty.
