The Hidden Life of Adi LaRue

"The Hidden Life of Adi LaRue" is a unique fantasy novel, published in 2020, by the young American author Victoria Elizabeth Schwab (1987–). It follows the life of a young French woman across three centuries and several major cities after she makes a Faustian bargain in 1714 that grants her immortality—a cursed immortality that means everyone she meets will forget her. The novel has received considerable acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. The narrative alternates between a 21st-century New York City setting and flashbacks, from Adi's childhood in France to her experiences traveling the world and witnessing major historical events. The story begins in the early 18th century, with Adi, a young woman forced into an arranged marriage, praying to the gods for freedom. She accidentally catches the eye of the Night God, who promises her the time she desires, but warns her that no one will ever remember her after their encounter. Over time, she subtly influenced many people, leaving her mark on history and art. The Night God would visit her periodically after they made their pact, demanding her soul, but she steadfastly refused each time. But everything changes when, nearly 300 years later, Addie encounters a young man in a library who remembers her name.