No. 5: A book I started but never finished
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue / V.E. Schwab
I remember I bought this book during one of the lockdowns because I thought I deserved a treat and I was so happy when it arrived (remember when a trip to the mailbox was the highlight of the day?), that I started it right away. I really don’t know why I never got very far in it, other than it being a big book coming in at over 500 pages, and during pandemic times I had the attention span of a confused gold fish. I found the Bookdepository (RIP) bookmarker still stuck between pages 55-56 and I vaguely remembered what I’d read, but the details eluded me, so I started over from the beginning.
This is a book that has everything going for it: gorgeous cover, great lay-out, and nice print. Yes, it’s big, but once I committed properly, I blew through it and this time around finished it within a weekend. The writing is easy, and Addie is a great character.
The story starts in 1714 when Adeline LaRue lives in a small village in France. Her parents are relieved that at twenty-three she finally is getting married, but Adeline, who doesn’t even like the man, fears that marriage will leave her virtually chained to the village, and she is desperate to find a last-minute escape. In her desperation she makes a deal with the devil and in return for her soul, he gives her freedom and with that a chance to live the life she’s always wanted for as long as she wants.
But you don’t “just” make a deal with the devil and Adeline soon discovers that she should have been more careful with her words because the downside to her deal is, that nobody remembers her. The devil gave her the “ultimate freedom” of not being remembered. She forever has to introduce herself and cannot even use her own name. She also cannot create anything herself; it gets erased right away.
It takes Addie some time to get used to this new way of living, but she manages. She leaves the village and goes to Paris where she learns it’s easier to be invisible amongst big crowds. She is visited there by “Luc” on the anniversary of their deal and he offers her an out: say the word and he’ll collect her soul and relieves her of the hard knock life she’s found herself in.
But Addie is not done living and refuses the offer. Every year on the anniversary Luc makes an appearance, and it’s something that Addie starts to look forward to, as he might be the devil, but he’s also the only one to remember her and call her by her real name. The two of them bicker and fight, and at times Luc punishes her by not showing up for a year or two.
This goes on for three hundred years, and lands us in the present of 2014. By then, Addie has been living in New York for quite some time, a city she enjoys as there is so much to discover. One of the things she discovers, is Henry. Henry works in a bookshop and when she goes back to return a book (after having it stolen a few days before), he recognizes her and chases her out of the shop (again).
The shock of someone remembering and recognizing her, has Addie startled more than being caught scamming. Thinking it’s a fluke, she doesn’t dare believe it actually is possible until she goes back to offer him an apology and he still remembers her. After spending three hundred years of reintroducing herself to people over and over again, slinking in and out of people’s lives, and nobody but the devil remembering her name, it is a welcome relief.
Although Henry clearly has a secret to hide himself, Addie is too relieved to be bothered by that. Their connection is immediate and intense and although she has to constantly introduce herself whenever they meet up with his friends, they both are fully committed to the relationship. She quickly decides she needs to trust Henry with her secret and he’s strangely easily okay with it all. She starts telling Henry everything, and he writes down her story, thinking this way she can leave her mark after all. But through her story, he discovers she’s already done that, having been a muse to painters, sculptures and musicians throughout the ages. Songs and pieces have been written and created because of her, and she shows up in paintings as “unknown woman”.
But the devil is due a visit because it’s been almost fifteen years since his last, and Addie knows they won’t have long. When Luc does show up, he shows up with the oomph you would expect from the devil. Just in time for the big finale.
And this is why I believe in second chances: I really liked this book the second time around!
The set-up is well done, and Addie and Luc are great characters. At times I wanted more depth from the historical settings and the people Addie meets, because they remain blurry. Although eventually that works, because it keeps the focus on Addie and Luc.
I have to admit I saw the twists at the end coming so the build-up to that felt a bit too slow and stretched out, and whatever story-telling was still happening, could have been left out for me. But this is a storybook-like telling, a great (love-hate) story, and totally enchanting. If any of that is your thing, don’t hesitate picking up this book!
Bookworm in the City 