As I said in my first blog post back from a hiatus, I do not intend to write traditional book reviews. Instead I want to talk about what a story means to me, in particular what it makes me think about. I'd also like to include a section of additional books that are similar or by the same author. When it makes sense to do so, I will also explore whether or not I intend to purchase the book for the high school library where I work and why or why not.
My first book is a novel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab (who also publishes as Victoria Schwab), which is due to be released on October 6, 2020. I received an e-copy from the publisher through NetGalley. As a librarian, who has money to spend on books, NetGalley is a wonderful resource for reading in order to make ordering decisions. You should keep reading this post to find out why, but I have already placed this book on a list to purchase when it is released.
If you have read many fantasy novels you know that making a deal with a supernatural being almost always causes unfortunate consequences for the mortal. Such is the case for Addie LaRue. Addie's story begins when her parents deem it time for her to marry a much older man who has been widowed with three children. Atypically at age 23 in France in 1714, Addie is not yet married. Having observed others of her age, Addie believes this marriage will result in a loss of autonomy in a life she would not choose for herself. On the day of her marriage, Addie calls upon the dark gods to help her. One answers. The novel tells Addie's story alternating between her day to day life in 2014 and skipping through the years after July 29, 1714.
As in many books in which a character lives for hundreds of years Addie has mastered a number of languages, traveled the world, and met a series of historically significant people. However, Addie's experiences differ from those in other books in one important way. This difference has serious implications both positive and negative for the way she moves through history. The "long life" trope is not new, but I appreciate the way that Schwab has set things up differently for Addie.
I spent the most time while reading this novel thinking about:
- the nature of human connections. This is something I believe every novel is about in some way, but Addie's experiences across time and special circumstances (sorry to be vague, trying to avoid spoilers) force her to be creative in the way she keeps herself connected, which in turn gives her strength.
- what I would do with the years if I were granted long life. I'd love to learn languages, travel, write, read, and meet people. All that thinking and wishing made me realize that I don't need 300 years. I can do all those things with joy and passion in the time I have.
I believe my students will like this story for a number of reasons:
- The story begins in 1714 when Addie is 23, an age which may seem far distant to a 14 year old, but an age at which most teens feel they will be on the path they have set for themselves. I think one lesson they may observe is that a well-lived life is going to have twists and turns, some joyful, some not.
- Addie is fully the agent in her own life. After making the deal that will allow her choose the life she wants works out differently than planned, she adjusts and lives.This will appeal to teens, many of whom are working to free themselves from the constraints of expectations they have not set for themselves.
- Addie's unnaturally long life takes her through some significant historical moments that may interest readers who have only seen these events in a history class. This is by no means a work of historical fiction, but there are some nice tidbits mixed with Addie's personal experiences.
Other books by Schwab I have read and would recommend:
Which of Schwab's have you read or are planning to read?
