60 pages 2 hours read

V. E. Schwab

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Part 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 5: “The Shadow Who Smiled and the Girl Who Smiled Back”

Part 5, Chapter 1 Summary

In 1764, on the 50th anniversary of the curse, Addie returns to Villon. She finds her father’s grave and sees that he died the same year she left at the age of 44. Estele died five years later at 77. Recalling that Estele wanted nothing more than to be buried beneath a tree, Addie transplants a sapling from the forest to her grave.

Just then, Luc arrives to taunt Addie over Estele’s death. When Addie slaps him, Luc conjures stabbing pains that afflict her entire body. He says he has been too easy on her by allowing her to keep her health and youth. As the pain grows worse and Addie becomes certain Luc will annihilate her, she tells him to go to hell. At that, Luc only laughs, eases Addie’s pain, and vanishes. 

Part 5, Chapter 2 Summary

In 2014, Henry, having intuited that Addie has no home, invites her to stay with him indefinitely. While he showers, she looks through the notebook they filled the previous night with the beginning of her long life story.

Part 5, Chapter 3 Summary

In 1778, Addie sees the ocean for the first time while staying in the seaside town of Fécamp, France. As food shortages grow worse and violent revolution seems imminent, Addie knows she should escape France.