Beneath the Book Club: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is completely unforgettable.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

There aren’t many books that I continue thinking about long after finishing the final chapter, but the Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is definitely one of them.

Beneath the Book Club’s September book takes you on a 300-year journey across the world following Addie’s life of immortality.

It’s a gorgeous, immersive story that makes her, well, very unforgettable.

Born in a small French village in 1691, Adeline LaRue doesn’t want an ordinary life.

To escape an unwanted marriage, she makes a deal with Luc – a god that answers after dark – and trades her soul for immortality.

But there’s a catch.

Addie is able to live forever, but no one remembers her.

What follows is Addie’s trek through time; meeting people who instantly forget her, scrounging for food and shelter (she becomes a pretty savvy thief) and dealing with a complicated relationship with Luc who she seems to both love and loath.

While at a bookstore in New York City in 2014, Addie meets Henry and he doesn’t forget her.

The two develop a strong bond, complicated by Henry’s own deal with the devil, which is unveiled late in the storyline.

At its core, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is dark, featuring a handsome devil and dark-haired girl with seven freckles who wanders through life free, but alone.

Everyone she loves, forgets her and dies, and that makes immortality seem a lot less appealing.

This isn’t a fast read; it took me almost two weeks to finish it.

But I raced through those final 100 pages – and that ending – well, it leaves you wishing for more.

The Life of Addie La Rue is a journey everyone should take.

I give it a solid 10.

What did you think?

1. Would you recommend this book to someone? Why or why not?

Yes. It’s a beautifully written story that webs history, art, war, longing and all the complications that come with life.

There was great character development and intriguing storyline.

2. What kind of reader would most enjoy this book?

   
   

A mature reader who wants to delve into a serious, but entertaining read. Parts of it are slow, but still interesting.

3.     Did you find this author’s writing style easy to read? How long did it take you to get into the book?

This author is so talented and weaves lots of interesting tidbits about history into the book. I plan to read more by this author.

4.     If you could ask the author one question about this book, what would it be?

Did Addie’s plan to escape Luc work?