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A review by rashellyreads
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this book with high expectations and, I'm being so fucking for real right now, it did not disappoint. This book is everything to me now. It's my new favorite one. There is so much beauty in this story that goes beyond just words. I told my mom and anyone else who would listen that I believe with all my heart that in a hundred years (give or take) this book will be considered a classic. Professors will be curating curriculums based on this book and the themes it consists of. I have no doubt about it.
What I love so dearly about "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" is its direct love for the fine arts. During my reading, I couldn't help but compare this theme to that of "Little Women." In Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel, fine arts is an important factor in each of the girls' personalities: Jo's writing, Amy's painting, Meg's acting, and Beth's musical playing. And what's so great about this classic is that each main character is shown to have such a passion for their art that they question who they would be without it. For Addie, it's just the same thing. One of the reasons she gives up her soul and suffers through the limits of living forever is to discover new things. Because no matter how long she's lived in New York and no matter how many times she's walked the same streets, there will always be a new story to read, a new movie to watch, a new song to hear, a new painting to look at, and so on. Because what is life without art and beauty? This is a question that she asks herself and Luc throughout the book. In turn, this is a question that readers ask, reminiscing on the importance of the arts.
Another theme in the book that is so obvious a blind man could see it, is the idea of death, souls, and immortality. Luc reminded me somewhat of Dracula, from Bram Stoker's most famous novel, "Dracula." He comes off as intentionally good, as someone who could change for the better, but because of his nature, he will never have the ability to love or be good. He will never have the ability to restrain himself from inflicting pain. But more so, "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" reminds me of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. Addie is not a violent person by any means, but the longer she lives the less human she becomes. This is stated not only by the ill-intentioned Luc, but by Addie herself. Arguably, the greatest takeaway or idea from this novel is that with every desperate prayer, there comes a price. And to live forever, it is inevitable to lose your soul...just as Dorian Gray did.
This is a true masterpiece and I cannot wait to see it flourish as it continues to be out in the world. Just as Bea described Addie, this novel is "timeless."
What I love so dearly about "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" is its direct love for the fine arts. During my reading, I couldn't help but compare this theme to that of "Little Women." In Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel, fine arts is an important factor in each of the girls' personalities: Jo's writing, Amy's painting, Meg's acting, and Beth's musical playing. And what's so great about this classic is that each main character is shown to have such a passion for their art that they question who they would be without it. For Addie, it's just the same thing. One of the reasons she gives up her soul and suffers through the limits of living forever is to discover new things. Because no matter how long she's lived in New York and no matter how many times she's walked the same streets, there will always be a new story to read, a new movie to watch, a new song to hear, a new painting to look at, and so on. Because what is life without art and beauty? This is a question that she asks herself and Luc throughout the book. In turn, this is a question that readers ask, reminiscing on the importance of the arts.
Another theme in the book that is so obvious a blind man could see it, is the idea of death, souls, and immortality. Luc reminded me somewhat of Dracula, from Bram Stoker's most famous novel, "Dracula." He comes off as intentionally good, as someone who could change for the better, but because of his nature, he will never have the ability to love or be good. He will never have the ability to restrain himself from inflicting pain. But more so, "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue" reminds me of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde. Addie is not a violent person by any means, but the longer she lives the less human she becomes. This is stated not only by the ill-intentioned Luc, but by Addie herself. Arguably, the greatest takeaway or idea from this novel is that with every desperate prayer, there comes a price. And to live forever, it is inevitable to lose your soul...just as Dorian Gray did.
This is a true masterpiece and I cannot wait to see it flourish as it continues to be out in the world. Just as Bea described Addie, this novel is "timeless."