Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

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Book Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

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First, I’ll start off with talking about the writing. The writing is very poetic, evocative, and beautiful. I underlined many passages, and, there were some great takeaways concerning themes of; life, death, art, history, ideas, etc. I love the little odes to culture, books, literature, art, music, languages, and etc. This is a book for dreamers and artists. As well as thinkers. I like the immortalization of art – and the act of remembrance. Stories (and art) are possibly the only tangible items that transcend time and space. The themes of loneliness & freedom are very acutely discussed – and can leave a sour pit in the stomach. But this story did not twist the knife in me in the ways I had wished it to. Two things I really appreciated: 1. The representation of bisexuality – both on Addie and Henry’s side (but it was short and not explored thoroughly enough) 2. The discussion around women’s right – their ability to move through spaces, to dress freely, and to take control of their own lives (not marry if they do not wish to; Addie LaRue’s life summed up.) Especially explored in the midst of 16th+ century France. In short, the book was quite predictable on two accounts. Henry’s secret (selling his soul to the devil) and Henry carrying out the story of “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.” It almost would have felt more satisfying if he did, in the end, forget her or if he did, in the end, surrender his soul. However, I also did enjoy the past bleeding into the present storylines between all the chapters although some passages started to feel tedious. In the end, semantics matter, maybe just as much as storytelling.

“Those we love never truly leave us, Harry. There are things that death cannot touch.” 

“In every shining moment of happiness is that drop of poison: the knowledge that pain will come again. Be honest to those you love, show your pain. To suffer is as human as to breathe.” 

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