I Am the Messenger

Zusak's novel 'The Book Thief' became one of my favorites and a book I highly recommend immediately. So I had high hopes for more of his writing. I won't say I feel let down, rather that this was just a very different novel in a very different style. That said, the concept was great, and he did a fine job of spinning this very unique idea. I felt it a little lacking in some spots, and it totally delivered in others. Overall, a pretty good read.

While I appreciate the author’s inventive style, this book is frustrating to read. There are some beautifully written sentences and wonderful imagery- but it still doesn’t add up to a well written story. The ending is especially disappointing.

I was really hoping this would be on par with The Book Thief, but it greatly disappointed me. Perhaps it was because I read The Book Thief years ago and now the writing in this seems more juvenile, but I found it inferior to the writing in The Book Thief. I realize that these are YA fictions, and this is perfect for a young reader! It's a very interesting plot, the characters were certainly unique, but the ending was meh, and the way it climaxed wasn't satisfactory.

The book was amazing, I could not put it down!! I loved the character development in I Am The Messenger! He is one of my Favorite authors !!

I Am the Messenger is an amazing book!!! Markus Zusak shows his talent of having a variety of voices (if you have ever read The Book Thief you will know what I am talking about). You slowly build your friendship with the character; brick by brick, layer by layer, until you have built a fascinating structure full of complexity and intrigue. As the story continues you learn more and more about the characters. As problems occur Markus Zusak makes them so realistic that you believe this can happen. Ed (the main character) learns lessons from his and other people's mistakes and achievements. He paints the story delicately taking every piece and carefully placing them together so that each part ends up perfectly intertwined. Ed's life is messed up. He is a nineteen year-old taxi driver (which is illegal in Australia). He's hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, who has dated every messed-up guy known to man, except Ed. In his spare time, he plays cards and drinks with his three friends. Yes, I'm sure that you have seen Ed's face before, look up loser in the dictionary; he's the picture they show. At least that is what you would have referenced him to until he became "that guy in the newspaper." Ed stopped a bank robbery. He became front page news. That was the beginning of a new life and a new job/duty to the world. Shortly after becoming Channel 2's number one star Ed received a playing card in the mail, the ace of hearts. Written on the card are three places and three times. Each card leads him to someone that needs his help in some way. After completing his first assignments he gets a new ace, and it continues. The ending of the book (like you have heard in other reviews) could be improved. He gives everything away, telling us everything. He acts as though he wants us to only see his point and his point only. An author is supposed to try and get one point across, and the reader is the one who decides the true point. The ending wasn't a bad ending it just wasn't good. It didn't let you think. The ending does not ruin the book, though. I strongly recommend this book, the story is worth reading the ending. Though it is not the most appropriate book, it has a wonderful message showing you that anyone can do anything if they put their mund to it.

Markus Zusak might be my favorite author now, and I've read a lot of books by a lot of authors. I have not, however, read three books of such magnitude by the same author. Upon completing GETTING THE GIRL, THE BOOK THIEF, and now I AM THE MESSENGER, I sit back in awe at the mastery of the writing, the power of the message, the truth of such stories. Winner of the 2003 Children's Book Council of Australia's Book of the Year Award and nominated for best young adult book at the 2006 L.A. Times Festival of Books, I AM THE MESSENGER (or THE MESSENGER in Australia) tells the story of Ed Kennedy, nineteen-year-old taxi cab driver and all-around average guy. In fact, he's the epitome of average -- faithful friends, stinky dog, dead-end job, and girl who loves someone else. That's why it's such a big deal for Ed, Marv, and Ritchie to get trapped in a bank during a stickup. One of the thieves gets spooked, drops his gun, and somehow Ed ends up with the weapon and the town's praise. That might be a winning hand for Ed if he doesn't receive the first mysterious playing card, the Ace of Diamonds in his mailbox. It's a card with a message for him to deliver. Or else. Messages like Ed's will change a person, if he or she lets them. That's the beauty of Zusak's story. Ed discovers the changing power in simple, personalized messages of love, even if they're ones he's forced to deliver. While I could imagine a cynical reader calling Ed's 12 messages a tad forced, I would differ with them on every case. Ed's stories are simple proof that if a "guy like him can stand up and do what he did, then maybe everyone can. Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of." -- Reviewed by Jonathan Stephens

I bought this book recently on a serendipitous bookstore trip during a family reunion in Colorado. It is most definately worthy of the multiple starred reviews it has received. Ed Kennedy, a 19-year-old with no forseeable future, is extremely likeable and readable. His life takes a sharp turn for the positive when he receives the first card in the mail-an ace with three addresses and times. It suddenly becomes clear that these people need his help, whether in large ways or small acts of kindness. Three more aces follow, and thus embarks Ed's adventure to help other people, and naturally in the end help himself. His friends are very realistic and their issues are almost as compelling as Ed's. There is a bit of romance, but it doesn't overpower the rest of the book-it's a very nice balance. Family challenges are a major theme here, as is learning your true potential. I would recommend it to teens over the age of 15 (some swearing and violence), but it is more than adult-friendly, and interesting enough to be a page turner for all ages, and the price is unbeatable as well. All I have to say thank heavens for spontaneous trips and books like this!

The narrator Ed is a taxicab driver and kind of a loser. When he's not working, he hangs out with his smelly dog and his loser friends to play cards and drink. Then he captures a bank robber and gets messages from a stranger written on playing cards. As he carries out tasks the messages suggest, he helps strangers, his friends, and eventually himself. The book is funny, and the narrator's voice is sensitive and sweet. His three friends' characters are gradually developed very well. The pacing is great, as the reader, along with Ed, tries to figure out how Ed will carry out the tasks suggested to him and who is behind the messages. The ending is perhaps unnecessarily didactic, but I admire the author for taking the risk. All in all, a funny, moving, thought-provoking read.