The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a fantasy book written by V.E. Schwab. It's not the current kind of fantasy with dragons, but instead follows the story of Adeline LaRue who trades her soul for freedom. Except, as with any deals, it's all about the details. Addie becomes practically invisible to the world. As soon as she is out of sight, people forget they ever crossed paths with her and she is unable to leave a mark on the world.
For three hundred years, Addie travels the world, navigating her way through a forgotten life, determined not to give in and surrender her soul to the mystery being who struck up the deal after dark. However, Addie meets Henry in 2014 and he can remember her...
I don't enjoy writing reviews that offer too many spoilers so that's where I'll leave the story description. What I do want to discuss is the topic of the novel. V.E. Schwab has a beautiful talent for being able to tell a story without the need to preach.
Many novels now try to push an agenda or are clearly trying to push the reader to form the same opinion on a topic as the author. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue does no such thing. There is no stigma in the book, meaning that we have characters from all walks of life but we are free to form our own opinion on the story. After all, it is just a story.
There is a dual timeline, which to begin with I found tedious but as the book progressed, I began to enjoy. It added to the importance of what it was like for Addie to walk the earth for three hundred years. How the world has changed. How she had to adapt. But also, how much freedom we now have in life compared to the 1700's.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue leaves you contemplating your own life. We all have moments when we question our life choices and long for change. But for what price? This story helps you appreciate freedom, but also helps you to see how quickly things can change in life as well as what is truly important. The things that seem so crucial to us at a time, may be unimportant a few years later.
There is the theme of art too. That all great art comes at a price. I'm an art lover, but this part of the novel irked me a little bit. This was perhaps the only part of the story that felt as if there were some kind of implication about artists but maybe I just didn't get it. What it did highlight though was how beautiful and powerful art can be. That it is a way to be remembered and to leave a mark on the world.
For anybody who is passionate about creative endeavours, this book serves as an inspiration to create what your heart desires. That is something you can leave in the world to be remembered by and that's a beautiful thing.
So many books are predictable with their formats, which in itself can be enjoyable. But The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the first story that I've read in a while that felt like a real story. It reminded me of being a child and listening to someone reading a fairy tale. It's impossible to tell how the novel will end, and the ending also allows your imagination to continue it to conclude in whatever way you like.
If you're looking for something a little bit different, then this book is for you. Enjoy The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue...
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