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A review by pinkparentheses
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is going to stay with me for awhile. The writing is very poetic, intending to capture a feeling or illustration of human nature. Reads more like journal entries than anything. Plays upon natural human desires and adds a supernatural twist to it.
Ironically, Addie is not really likeable as a character, but that’s also just the nature of her curse. She never forms any deep connections with anyone, and she slowly loses grasp of herself over time. Henry is one of the most heartbreaking characters I’ve read in awhile. Luc and Addie’s dynamic does a good job showing how a toxic relationship can be both electrifying and infuriating, awful and tumultuous but you still find love in it somehow.
I’ve heard many valid critiques of this book, but I think the whole point is feeling the emotions of the characters/scene rather than trying to understand the logic or “adventure” of the story. The whole story feels like a classic fable (Take the example of the Tortoise and the Hare fable, if you’re hung up on why a Tortoise and Hare would be racing to begin with, you’re missing the entire point). People critique how Addie lives her life over 300 years, but this shows the decision paralysis of endless possibilities and how this version of freedom is actually extremely limiting. This is definitely not a straightforward story and you will be frustrated if you take it too literally. The only thing keeping me from rating 5 stars is it definitely could’ve used another round of editing.
Ironically, Addie is not really likeable as a character, but that’s also just the nature of her curse. She never forms any deep connections with anyone, and she slowly loses grasp of herself over time. Henry is one of the most heartbreaking characters I’ve read in awhile. Luc and Addie’s dynamic does a good job showing how a toxic relationship can be both electrifying and infuriating, awful and tumultuous but you still find love in it somehow.
I’ve heard many valid critiques of this book, but I think the whole point is feeling the emotions of the characters/scene rather than trying to understand the logic or “adventure” of the story. The whole story feels like a classic fable (Take the example of the Tortoise and the Hare fable, if you’re hung up on why a Tortoise and Hare would be racing to begin with, you’re missing the entire point). People critique how Addie lives her life over 300 years, but this shows the decision paralysis of endless possibilities and how this version of freedom is actually extremely limiting. This is definitely not a straightforward story and you will be frustrated if you take it too literally. The only thing keeping me from rating 5 stars is it definitely could’ve used another round of editing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts