Books I Loved: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

My sister in law and I have been talking about a trip to Paris for a little while. We have a plan even—a full agenda, and a title for our trip: Centuries and Cellars. The basic premise of this trip is to explore the history of Paris and the surrounding areas by visiting different historically relevant sites (centuries) and drinking a lot of wine (cellars). This trip was postponed due to the pandemic—so imagine my absolute joy when I picked up V.E. Schwab’s buzz worthy novel about a French woman who is cursed to live a life of immortality while captivating nobody’s memory. So much France, so many centuries!

This book dove into some complex ethical issues surrounding moving in the world without any accountability. If you can’t keep be remembered, how can you earn money? How do you eat? How do you navigate the emotional challenge of a life without connection? The reader is given insight into Addie's inner dialogue as she grapples with the very questions we are asking as her story unfolds. 

The only knock I have against this book is the suggestion that some amazing artists throughout history sold their souls for greatness--only because I want for the arts to stop being elitist and start feeling completely accessible to all humanity. But Beethoven aside, the use of art and language throughout history is a gift to this tale. Addie's love of inspiration struck home with me and I'm certain it will with anyone craving something to marvel at.

I ordered this book through Book of the Month, and if you love to read, you should become a member, too!

Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!