The invisible life of Addie la Rue discussion

[bernelli]

I really liked Henry. I was disappointed in him for selling his soul, and for such a short time. I guess desperation leads to poor decision making, even in fictional characters. haha I loved the relationship him and Addie shared, and especially loved how he would find ways to help her draw again. That was cool.

I can't remember specific details, but the pages of the books where art was described along with value was fun to read. I liked that Addie found ways to be an influencer aka muse.

[bumblebuzz21]

I was really sad for Addie when the witch couldn't remember her. I hoped she would be a lifeline.

[ccToast]

I also liked Henry and what his character added to the story. He was so drunk and distraught that giving his soul didn't seem like an unfair trade since he was prepared to commit suicide.

And what did he trade it for? Being as invisible to most people as Addie was since the people around him didn't see him for who he was but for who they wanted him to be.

[peacemama]

I enjoyed the supporting cast of visual, literary, and performing artists who made Addie visible in their works.

Book, the cat, was a favorite, simply for the name.

[gemster]

Henry was a bit wet but still likeable and I felt sorry for him, I’m glad he got his life and soul back.

I liked Addie’s father a lot from early in the book, another one that stood out for me from the early days was Remy. In modern times I liked James, Sam and Toby. Addie obviously made an impression on the last two even though they couldn’t remember her.

[moosishun]

It has been a while since I have read this book, so names of people are probably a little amiss to me.

I loved the gal that worked at the bookstore and how she put together the artwork featuring little miss freckle-face and how she could not really make sense of this woman who participated in these paintings hundreds of years apart!!!!! Hahahaha! and how she just knew that there was something to Addie, but would have to repeat that one thing every time she met her.

I loved the old witch and that was some kind of warning; however, I don't think Addie could have asked for anything different and from anyone else since trying to escape the destiny of her life took just that much magic.

Toby! The musician who let that tune stay with him even as Addie traipsed in every night into his life and disappeared as soon as he turned away from her.

I loved Henry, too, but it was quite telling that she could quit him and admitted that it was up and down with him, which is probably REALITY for 110% of the human population. When someone remembers you, there will be bumps along the way. Ha! She was just not used to that kind of thing. I can see why she fell for him since he REMEMBERED her.

Wonder why he remembered her - is it because he had also been bewitched by Luc? Since there were so many that Luc bewitched, it seems like she could cobble out a little community of rememberers before he zapped them.

[gemster]

Day 4

A sequel to this book has already been discussed, some of us are in favour and others not but if you were asked/paid/bribed/otherwise persuaded into writing a plot line for a sequel what would that look like?

[honeybzzzs]

I googled a couple days ago, and it sounds like a movie is in the making.

[bumblebuzz21]

My sequel would be the push/pull relationship with Addie and Luc as they weave their way through the world. Lots of steamy sex, but not too descriptive and some good old fashioned devilish antics.

[honeybzzzs]

To answer yesterdays question.
I found Estele, the old medicine woman, intriguing. I wish there had been more on her. People that dealt with potions, the natural world and had a different belief system then the rest of the population were so feared and ostracized by the community. And yet, they continued on.
That Addie befriended her, and learned from her, and respected her was an interesting part of the story.
That Addie remembered Estele’s wish ‘to become a tree’ when she dies. And Addie buried her, and planted a tree at her headstone, so the roots could enfold her. That Addie came back year after year to stand at her grave, to watch the tree grow. Addie was the only one that remembered that this person lived. To give her the respect of visiting her grave was an honor.
When Addie returned to the grave, and the tree had been destroyed. Later finding out it had been destroyed by a wind storm, not by Luc. Realizing that even in death nothing stays the same.

Actually, I also enjoyed Luc. He did remind me a bit of Lestat in the Interview with the Vampire series. Handsome, cunning, relentless, charming, just like a Devil should be. I can see how his character could be fleshed out more in a sequel/movie.

[honeybzzzs]

My sequel looks similar to Bumblebuzz’s. Only, not so much steamy sex (a bit, but not a lot) it would be more a battle of the minds.

[sal]

I'm so far behind (work! Gah!).

Back to the live forever question: the FOMO part of me says yes, which is probably why I have been obsessed with vampire fiction for decades (thank you, Anne Rice, at least for your earlier books). The lack of companionship ala this book would make it a hard pass, but in a scenario where there would be others that could be there with you, maybe. I'd be working my way through several libraries and traveling around, provided I wasn't the working class vampire with a job at the Quik Mart, which honestly would probably be my luck.

Sequel? Not sure, but honestly, I'd almost rather see a life of Estelle prequel than a true sequel w/ Addie and Luc.

[bernelli]

I think a sequel book would be dark and stressful.
Somehow a movie like what Bumble suggested sounds fun and more lighthearted...especially if Addie can kill Luc at the end and then...no more devil.
haha

[peacemama]

A sequel with other characters that made deals with Luc.

[juliajones54]

Maybe it's my stage of life but I'm still stuck on Addie's original family and that she gave up so much that she didn't realize she was going to lose. I know she really had no good choices at the time - her situation truly was a devil's deal either way, but I would like a sequel where she could go back to make a choice with the full knowledge of what would be involved. Losing her dad and her sister and Estele, was it really worth it? Maybe in the end it was and she would not give up her knowledge and adventures and the ways she was able to influence the world. I love stories of alternative choices and parallel universes - I want all choices at once, ha!

[moosishun]

Addie gets pregnant - and Luc didn't realize that this could definitely happen!!!

[gemster]

Same as others I was thinking more of a prequel, I thought maybe about Luc and how he ended up as he did (a bit like Ann Rice’s Vampire Lestat where we get his backstory) but not going so far back as I’m not interested in ancient history, Middle Ages onwards would be my style with lots of wars and a good bit about Stalinism and Nazism, maybe Hitler or Stalin made a deal with him?? Or some other leading Nazis who escaped justice.

I also like the ideas of stories of other characters who made a deal with Luc especially anyone historically well known (think Beethoven is mentioned in the book briefly), backstory of Estelle and yes to a parallel universe where Addie didn’t make the deal or maybe made a different one. That could maybe tie in with Estelle’s backstory as she would still know Addie and be able to tell her life story to her.

Big fat no from me to anything involving a Luc & Addie romance - far too Twighlighty for me sorry (even with steamy sex thrown in)

[bernelli]

Oh gemster, you jogged my memory about Luc & his influence on great artists of our past.

I was really peeved that Luc took all the glory from our great artists like Beethoven, and ... other people (I can't remember them).
There's no way that I want to believe, even fictionally, that greatness and extreme artistry is only achieved by selling your soul to the devil. That made me mad. ...even knowing this is a made up story.

[moosishun]

I remember the Beethoven thing and said out loud "You wish, buddy". Beethoven would not have never bargained for more time unless he had gotten his hearing back from Luc - that sure did not happen.

[gemster]

Last Day

There are rumours going round this book will be made into a movie. How well do you think it would ‘translate’ to the big screen and would you watch it? Are there any actors you can imagine doing a good job playing the roles of Addie and Luc?

Plus feel free to share any other final thoughts, opinions and grievances

[sal]

I'll admit I kept picturing Luc looking a lot like Tom Ellis (Lucifer), but that might take typecasting to an extreme.

I picture Addie as more of a young Julie Delpy but am not thinking of any age appropriate actresses right now.

Henry looks a lot like Daniel Radcliffe in my brain.

I'm not sure I can see most scripts / directors getting this right, but who knows.

[honeybzzzs]

I haven’t had a TV since 1997, and I don’t go to the movies much, so I’m not familiar with the current actors.
I might go see this since I did listened to the book. I can see where this could be a good movie if done correctly.

That being said, Thank You Gemster. Always nice to read and discuss something that I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Pushes me out of my comfort zone.

My copy of The Rose Code finally came in. Just finished it. Enjoyed the discussion on that too. I know little to nothing about Code Breakers. Makes me now want to read the book about the Navajo Code Breakers. Also, thanks to book club, I never would have looked up the Prince Philip/Osla romance. I just thought that part was fiction.

Just started listening to The Lost Apothecary. Had to laugh—story bounces from the 1700’s to Present Day. Involves a medicine woman. Happens in London. Where have I heard these story lines before. 😉😁
I am enjoying it so far.

[bumblebuzz21]

I probably wouldn't watch it, but I very rarely watch a movie of a book I have already read. Thanks for the great discussion, Gemster! Moosi, when do we get to start nominating? <<singing>> It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

[ccToast]

I saw a fan suggestion of Anya Taylor-Joy (from The Queen's Gambit) as Addie, and I can see that.

Luc is like Clark Gable, charming and for some reason attractive to most, if not for me.

Henry would be Jonah Hill: hapless but likable.

[ccToast]

gemster, Thank you for leading the discussion this week!