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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – V.E. Schwab


 In 18th century France, Adeline LaRue wants more for her future than what’s in store for her. On the night of her wedding, she makes a deal with the devil to live forever so that she can do all the things that she has dreamed of, but the devil is always in the details. The condition of Addie’s deal is that no one will remember her. She can walk through the world like a ghost with unlimited freedom unprohibited by people’s memories of her not even remembering her name. On each year of the anniversary of their deal, the devil visits Addie to try and convince her to surrender her soul. But Addie has learned to fall in love anew every day, finding new things to explore. And then one day, she walks into a local New York bookshop and a man named Henry Strauss remembers her. 300 years alone with only the devil as company, Addie has found someone to confide in, but Addie must confront her fate.

 

This heartbreaking tale of a woman who is destined to be forgotten by anyone who meets her is a masterpiece. Schwab’s writing style is jaw-dropping – almost lyrical – and no matter how far into the story certain lines will remind the reader of the despair and loneliness of Addie who has never had a friend in 300 years. The saddest part is when Addie finds someone she genuinely connects with, but in the morning he has no recollection of her, so he pays her believing he hired a prostitute. The sadness that emits from the scene feels like a kick in the gut.

 

Despite that, there are moments of happiness. The start of each part has a fictional work of art that Addie inspired and each time the artist forgets who their muse was. The idea that despite no one remembering Addie, she is still able to have some influence on the world is what she clings to. But when she meets Henry, Addie is finally able to reveal her name to someone and have it said back to her by someone who isn’t the devil. Seeing her name physically written down without being erased by the conditions of her curse is a tear-jerking moment. This sparks the idea of Addie telling reciting her life and Henry penning her story. But this moment of happiness is only fleeting as Henry’s soul is due to be claimed by the devil meaning that Addie will go back to being forgotten. So, Addie must confront her fate. She surrenders her soul to the devil for as long as he’ll have her in return the devil spares Henry’s life and his memory of Addie. A memory that Henry turns into a memoir for others to read so at last Addie can be remembered by people. For moments of happiness far outweigh the ages of suffering. 

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