I love this book, countless times I have tried putting myself on Addie’s shoes. I don’t think I have the resilience to endure multiple lifetimes.

Review:

In a moment of desperation, a wish is all it takes to run away from the shackles of her imminent reality. A woman made a bargain, this bargain is with the darkness himself. 

This haunting artistically crafted novel which explored themes of identity, love, moments and art. We follow Addie LaRue, a young woman born in 18th-century France. She wished to have a life of endless freedom and her wish came true with a cruel twist. Addie’s journey spans centuries and continents with a desire to leave her mark on the world. 

For us, time is the ultimate commodity, what if a person has an abundance of time but is not able to make an acquaintance? Addie’s immortality gives her limitless time, has lived and relived moments of her life over and over. Experiencing the thrill of countless lovers and yet have never experienced a lasting relationship. Love becomes fleeting and brief encounters become exciting and repeated. These moments become a lifeline to a lonely existence, but, one day things suddenly change when Addie LaRue meets Henry Strauss. 

Despite having limitations Addie learnt how to strategically leave her mark on the world. Addie has captivated many in subtle ways, particularly through art. The novel explored Addie’s influence on notable paintings, songs and stories that stood the test of time. The book transforms into a gallery, marvelling at the accomplishment of one woman navigating the threads of time. Schwab set Addie free from the shackles of the curse through a lasting medium, it resonates with the reader greatly! 

This story is masterfully written, we are taken into warp-speed jumps to different places and timeline but it has never become confusing. Schwab used Addie’s curse to show the importance of memory, pain of isolation and too much of something is never a good thing. Various themes of love, fleeting and enduring, the nuances in the face of loneliness and impermanence are relatable. The pursuit of connection has kept Addie human even with her lasting existence. The story lingers on the reader’s mind long after it’s a finished artwork, much like Addie’s indelible mark despite her invisibility.

Famous Highlights:

And no matter how desperate or dire, never pray to the gods that answer after dark.

A dreamer,” scorns her mother. “A dreamer,” mourns her father. “A dreamer,” warns Estele. Still, it does not seem such a bad word. Until Adeline wakes up.

Book Publications:

Remarks:

• Art Gallery
• Trials
• Resilience
• Magic
• Romance
• Queer
• Be careful what you wish for and when you make a wish
• Folklore