Gold Mine Consign Manager Molly! Goodyear recommends The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue follows Addie LaRue, a young French woman in 18th century France, who makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but be forgotten by everyone she meets. The story unfolds over centuries as Addie navigates a life of solitude, except for periodic visits by the Devil, until she meets a man who remembers her, changing the course of her immortal existence and bringing the possibility of love.
The narrative explores themes of identity, loneliness and the enduring power of memory.
I was drawn to read the book by the fantastical idea of living and moving through the centuries and the opportunities to apply the knowledge gained to everyday living. But as I read the book, what stuck with me was…
…trying to understand what it would be like to not have one friend in the world or have anyone remember who I was.
It is hard to imagine, but the author captured that feeling very well. Addie’s deep loneliness overshadows all of the opportunities she has to travel, learn new languages, or disrupt daily routines.
When she meets someone who remembers her, it is more than a revelation for Addie and life becomes much sweeter. But the darkness is always lurking in the background as her relationship with the man deepens and a sense of permanence seems within reach.
I highly recommend the book which I listened to on the Library’s Libby app. The story is very well written and the themes of the book have stayed with me even months after finishing it.
