Hey everyone. It's April 21st, 2021. We're home on an emergency Distance Learning day. At about 6:10 this morning, my lights went off but came right back on (for reference, I live on the border between the Center District and Allingtown). I headed off the WHHS (which, as you know is in West Shore). When I got to the parking lot, I noticed every single light in the building was on. Odd. I happen to look at the scoreboard and saw it was off. Even odder. Not a minute later Dana/Mrs. Paredes called to say we are remote due to a power outage. All those lights were on generator. Being that I'm usually the first teacher in, I did as Mrs. P. asked and posted on social media, then hung around to direct my colleagues home. When I got home myself, I went on Facebook to see the power was back on in West Shore. Oy.
So, I haven't been reviewing a lot lately, mainly because half the school was on Distance Learning. However, many of you are coming back, and we return to an almost full day come May. I know it's tough to get new books into DLs hands, which I guess made me feel "some kinda way" as Cassie/Ms. Marcella says.
Today's review is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. I have mixed feelings. In rural France circa 1714, Adeline, a young free spirit, makes a "Devil and Daniel Webster" type deal with the spirits. She does not want to get married, so she asks to be forgotten. Of course, as we know the plot with any such deal, there's a catch. She will live forever, but no one will remember her in even the slightest way. As soon as she is out of sight, people she encounter forget her. The story is told from her living in the art world in New York City in the present day flashing back to her "lives" through history. Every so often, a placard from an art piece appears introducing a new time period. In the present day, an art student named Bea is connecting each piece as the same woman (art, imitation, etc.). It is Bea's best friend Henry who will change Addie's deal. Henry has made his own deal--to be liked--and he can remember Addie. But of course Henry's deal has a trick too. I will not spoil any more.
Actually, I will. Not of the plot, but the literary elements I guess. I know I have said this before, but...I hate the "so I wrote this book" as an ending. I hated it in The Outsiders, and I've hated it since. I think it's a a lousy way to end a story. I absolutely hate that this method or whatever you want to call it is how this book ends. I won't say what happens to Addie, Henry, or Bea, but...just ugh.
Anyway, I will be donating this to the collection when we get back.
Please remember all opinions expressed on this blog and the video version of it are solely mine.
