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I Am the Messenger

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Ed Kennedy, a cab driver, inadvertently stops a bank robbery which leads to him receiving mysterious messages in the form of playing cards. These messages prompt him to help various people in his community, ultimately changing his perspective on the world and himself. As Ed navigates through these assignments, he discovers the power of kindness and self-discovery. The book blends elements of mystery, thriller, and moral fable, keeping readers engaged with its spare prose and compelling narrative.

The story follows Ed's journey of personal growth and transformation as he grapples with the challenges presented by the cryptic messages. Through his adventures, Ed not only impacts the lives of others but also undergoes significant changes within himself. The book explores themes of human kindness, self-realization, and the capacity for ordinary individuals to do extraordinary things, all wrapped in a narrative that balances humor with serious subject matter.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, each facing their own challenges, making them relatable and realistic as they interact with Ed.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intimate and engaging, featuring a mix of humor and poignancy through short, impactful sentences.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a 19-year-old cab driver, Ed Kennedy, who receives mysterious cards with messages requiring him to help others, prompting his personal transformation.

Setting:

The setting is an urban Australian environment that enhances the story's tone and the characters' experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, allowing for quick engagement with both humorous and serious moments.
I tune out of what he’s saying because, quite frankly, once Marv gets going about his car, it’s downright pain-in-the-arse material. He goes on and on, like a kid, and he’s just turned twenty, for Jes...

Notes:

Markus Zusak is an Australian author known for his unique writing style.
I Am the Messenger features a 19-year-old protagonist named Ed Kennedy who feels directionless in life.
The story begins with Ed inadvertently stopping a bank robbery, which changes his life.
Ed receives playing cards with mysterious messages that direct him to help different people.
The book explores themes of kindness, connection, and personal growth.
The ending reveals that the one sending the cards is Markus Zusak himself, adding a metafictional twist.
The book is often compared to Zusak's more famous work, The Book Thief, but maintains a different tone and style.
I Am the Messenger was published in 2002 and was recognized with various awards, including a Printz Honor.
The writing is characterized by short sentences that mimic Ed's internal monologue and add to the narrative's emotional impact.
It's both a humorous and poignant exploration of how ordinary people can make significant changes in others' lives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include violence, abuse, and references to sexual content.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance, primarily involving Ed's feelings for Audrey.

From The Publisher:

DON'T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK'S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF AND AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SWEEPING FAMILY SAGA.

From the author of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger is an acclaimed novel filled with laughter, fists, and love.

A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK

FIVE STARRED REVIEWS

Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.

That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?

Ratings (29)

Incredible (11)
Loved It (8)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (5)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (63):

Read It (32)
Want To Read (27)
Not Interested (4)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
3 weeks

Always a million stars

 
Did Not Like
2 months

2.5*

 
Loved It
5 months

Ed Kennedy lives an uneventful life as a cabbie until the day him and his friends, Audrey, Richie and Marv witness a bank robbery. Ed heroically apprehends the robber which sparks a mysterious quest to become the messenger - a vigilante justice seeker, out to right the wrongs of society one playing card at a time.

I really enjoyed this. I loved the premise. It was original and creative and interesting. I liked Ed. I relate to Ed. I liked all the people he helped. It was fantastic. I was less keen on the romance between him and Aubrey but it was okay. On the other hand I loved Marv and the Doorman (his dog). In terms of themes, I liked the way God was handled in this - there was a touch of religion but it was peripheral. It was less about God and more about kindness and community and I really liked that message. And I loved the Aussie humour.

And then we come to the ending. WTF?!

I could have happily accepted that the criminal did it for unknown reasons. That worked. Maybe it was God. Maybe it wasn't. Maybe someone just wanted to straighten out the world. I could've handled any of those reasons. The extra man saying he killed his father - that was fking bullshit. I hate that shit. There was no need to bring his father into it. It should have been cut from the final manuscript. It made what was otherwise a brilliant story weak. And stupid. The last two chapters: "The folder" was a completely unnecessary chapter. "The message" could have just as easily replaced it. Should have. Or not - the ending could have easily been left as "the ending is not the end" chapter. It irritates me so much. Why ruin an otherwise great book? It's so frustrating.

4 stars.

 

About the Author:

Markus Zusak is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger, Fighting Ruben Wolf, and Getting the Girl. His newest, much-anticipated novel, Bridge of Clay, will release in October 2018. He lives in Sydney, Australia,…

 
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