The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a fantasy novel by the American author V. E. Schwab. It was published by Tor Books on October 6, 2020.[1] The story follows a young French woman in 1714 who makes a bargain with the Dark that makes her immortal, but curses her to be forgotten by everyone she meets. It was widely praised and nominated for the 2021 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.[2]
The story is balanced between a narrative in present day New York City and flashbacks starting from Addie's childhood in France to her experiences traveling the world and witnessing major historical events.
It begins in the early 1700s, following Addie as a young woman burdened by a forced marriage and praying to the gods for her freedom. She accidentally catches the attention of a god of the night, who she would later name Luc, who promises her the time she wants with the caveat being nobody will ever remember her after one encounter. Over time she subtly influences many people, making marks in history and inspiring the creation of songs and art about her.
Luc visits her every year after they make their deal, asking for her soul, but she refuses every time. The pair develop a relationship over time that carries on for about two decades. It ends abruptly when Luc asks again for her to surrender her soul, as Addie believes their relationship was just a gambit.
In 2014, Addie meets a man named Henry Strauss who can somehow remember her and speak her name. The pair become romantically involved until the day that Addie realizes that Henry only has 35 days left to live per conditions of his deal with Luc.
Due to heavy familial pressures placed on him, Henry had felt bogged down in his life, and a failed proposal made him attempt suicide. Luc visited him and granted his wish: whenever someone would see him, they would see what they desire the most. This allowed Henry to remember Addie, fulfilling her wish that somebody would remember her.
When the time came for Henry’s death, Addie struck a new deal with Luc, who had developed genuine feelings for her: she would go with him if he allowed Henry to live. Luc accepts and, a few days later, takes her away, leaving Henry devastated.
Two years later, Addie spots a book while in a London bookstore. The name of the book is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and there is no trace of the author anywhere. Despite this, Addie knows it’s Henry when she reads the dedication, which simply states “I remember you.” Luc states that he doesn’t mind everyone knowing Addie’s story so long as she is still in his possession.
The pair leave the bookstore, and Addie vows to herself that no matter how long it takes her, she will make Luc hate her again as he once did so he can cast her away and she can regain freedom once again.
Caitlyn Paxson at NPR praised the novel, particularly the attention to art: "her seven signature freckles...she has attempted to imprint herself in an artist's mind...fleeting impressions of a forgotten immortal. Together, they give us a sweeping feeling of urgency as we understand Addie's longing to be remembered in such a concrete and visceral way."[4]
Kirkus Reviews labeled the novel a "spellbinding story" that would have readers "stay up all night reading—rich and satisfying and strange and impeccably crafted."[5] Ellen Morton from The Washington Post called it a "tour de force," commending the momentum, contemplative story, and explorations of identity.[6]
Megan Kallstrom of Slate noted the story's careful attention to detail, ending her review by saying: "Much like the seven freckles that sprinkle Addie's face, we create our own constellations, and as we live through these darkened days, I feel brighter for having added Addie to mine."[7]
Characters
• Adeline “Addie” LaRue is the protagonist of the novel. She was born in Villon-sur-Sarthe, a smaller French village. She looks up to Estelle, an old woman in her village who doesn't follow social norms and prays to 'the old gods'. In 1774, Addie flees her village to escape an arranged marriage. Despite Estelles warnings not to pray after dark, Addie prays to the old gods after dark for 'more time' as well as 'freedom'. Luc answers her prays. She strikes a deal with him that grants her freedom and immortality. But the caveat is that after their meeting no one will ever remember Addie, including her parents. Addies only way out is once she gets tired of her life she must surrender her soul to Luc.
• Luc is the antagonist, and one of “the gods who answer after dark” who is the one to respond to Addie's prayers. He is portrayed as a demonic entity or a trickster spirit. Luc presents himself to Addie as a handsome man that she had imagined as an adolescent before she fell asleep. He then charms Addies wooden ring so if she puts it on, he will be summoned to her. Luc and Addie have an on and off romance that lasts for decades. It was broken off when Addie suspected that Luc's intentions were impure. After this, Luc goes out of his way to disrupt Addie's life in another effort to get her to surrender her soul.
•Henry Strauss meets Addie when he is working his job in a bookstore. Quickly Addie realizes he is the first person to remember her, aside from Luc. Henry is in his mid-twenties, has recently dropped out of grad school, and his long-term girlfriend had rejected his marriage proposal. Luc had intercepted Henry's suicide attempt and struck a deal with Henry. In this deal, Henry would be loved by all, but after one year Henry will die and his soul will belong to Luc. Henry quickly realized this was less of a blessing and more of a curse, until he meets Addie. Because they had both made deals with Luc neither of them was impacted by the terms of the arrangements. Addie was able to see Henry objectively and Henry was able to remember Addie.
Film adaptation
In November 2021, it was announced that eOne is planning to produce a film adaptation of the novel. Schwab is reported to have penned the early drafts of the screenplay before handing it off to husband-wife duo Augustine Frizzell and David Lowery; the former of the two also planned to direct the film. Alan Siegel, Danielle Robinson, Gerard Butler, as well as Schwab act as producers on the project.[8][9]
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