Note : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Author : V.E Schwabb

Genre : Historical Fiction

Date de sortie : 2020

Number of pages : 589 pages

ꕥ Book summary :

A life no one will remember… A story you’ll never forget… One night in 1714, in a moment of despair, a young woman longing for freedom makes a pact with the devil. But if she gains the right to live forever, in exchange, no one will ever remember her name or her face. She is condemned to wander through the ages like a ghost, unable to tell her story, instantly erased from the memory of all who cross her path.

ꕥ Book review :

The story takes place in the 18th century in a village in France. This era imposes traditions that Addie resists as best she can. For her, it’s inconceivable: she will not allow herself to be forced into marriage with that ugly man. She is willing to do anything to break the curse, quite literally. She had been warned not to pray at night, for the entities of darkness are more vile than those of the day. A pact is sealed. And overnight, she disappears from her family’s life, from her village… from the entire world. No one seems to retain her presence or memory. How does one live being forgettable ?

A literary masterpiece that is an absolute must-read !

Today, I’m here to praise the merits of this incredible adventure that V.E. Schwab has flawlessly penned. It’s a recent historical fiction that has caused quite a stir on social media and has been a success ! A friend strongly recommended it to me because beyond being a superb read, it truly makes you ponder the deeper meaning of life. The overall rating stands at 4/5 stars, which surprises me ; I would have thought it would be higher. My rating almost reaches perfection at 4.8/5 stars. 🌟

Literary Analysis: A Fiction That Raises Questions

How to live without the gaze of others ? Or rather, with the absence of it ? Can one live an anonymous and unknown life ? What does it feel like to live for centuries without attachments and without lasting relationships ?

Wow, that’s quite something ! I know it’s heavy, but it’s this depth and projection into fiction that makes this book so touching and memorable. To be honest, it’s an unforgettable book, ironic isn’t it? I thought about it long after finishing it and still think of Addie Larue from time to time. I genuinely believe it’s a book that should be studied, dissected, and drawn inspiration from in schools. It brings richness of vocabulary as the prose is vivid and imaginative (thus ideal for literary study), the power of narration truly makes us feel the weight of passing centuries ; we feel Addie, we take ownership of her, and we become as tired as she is of the days passing by while being forgotten at every moment. And as I mentioned earlier, it allows us to project ourselves into this incongruous and fictional situation : could I live for centuries without leaving any trace of my existence ? And these are good questions to ask oneself at a school age ; the gaze of others being a central element in the development of everyone.

An imperfiction ?

The length of the book is what comes up most in the negative comments. It’s true that we’re approaching 700 pages, which is substantial. I understand why some people might be hesitant to tackle such a tome. I’ll concede that, yes, there are indeed some slow parts in the middle of the book. Once the context is established and the characters are introduced, one might crave action and to move towards the resolution of this story. But the author chose to take her time ; it’s not an action-packed book but rather a witness to a fictitious yet realistic life; to the extent that one might wonder if it could happen to us. And this realism aims to convey the immortal and painfully long life of Addie Larue. Isn’t this the very mark of the book’s success ? Schwab manages to draw us into the whirlwind of the life of an imaginary person, whose experiences we keenly feel. And over three centuries !

In conclusion : Best book – an essential masterpiece.

In conclusion : I was deeply touched by the writing, which is brilliant, poetic, and nourishes the soul. There’s nothing to fault ; every page holds its worth and deserves to be there. Everything is well thought out, everything is just and satisfying. I feel like my words pale in comparison to describing what I experienced during this read. Let me put it simply: my heart broke, then mended, then broke again… A book of beauty, poetry, and wisdom that is worth exploring. It’s a memorable book that leaves an impression. It fosters a love for good words and a respect for the stories of strangers who make you feel like you’ve known them before.

Tempted ? Here where you can find it :

‣ You’ll find the paperback version here and the hardcover here

‣ And in my research, I discovered the magnificent illustrated version of this book ! An artwork dedicated to the Invisible Life of Addie Larue. Here’s the link here for those interested 😉 (I think I might cave in 😍).

So, does this story tempt you ? Let me know in the comments !

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Previously published in ChapterEater…

The Housemaid – Freida McFadden

Secrets worth dying―and killing―for, in a novel of suspense inspired by a horrific true crime. When the battered body of a female jogger is found beneath the cliffs of an idyllic coastal community, these perfect neighbors suddenly don’t seem so perfect… As the lives of three women become inexorably entwined, one thing is clear : when it comes to survival, ordinary people can do the most terrible things.