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Poodlerat’s book blog

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I Am the Messenger

September 8, 2007 at 10:28 pm · Filed under Book Reviews, Favourite Books, Fiction and Literature, World Literature

98. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (Fiction) 357 p.

I Am the MessengerWorld Lit Challenge: Australia

Ed Kennedy is nineteen years old. When he’s not earning a living as an underage cabdriver, he’s spending time with his best friends Marv, Ritchie, and Audrey, or his dog, the Doorman. After he stops a bank robbery, he receives a playing card in the mail: the ace of diamonds. On it are written three addresses. Ed begins to realize that he has been chosen to deliver messages to the people at those addresses—and that it’s up to him to figure out what messages these people need to hear.

I am in love with this book. I am in love with Markus Zusak. I will read The Book Thief as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

Ed isn’t at all the kind of character I could imagine myself liking, at least not at first glance, but he’s incredibly endearing, and he really grows on you. He lives a life nothing like mine, but his ability to appreciate love and beauty (sounds stickily sentimental, but I can’t think of any better way to put it) lets me connect with him.

The Book Thief is the Zusak book everyone recommends, and I’m dying to read it, but someone recommended I Am the Messenger to me for my world lit challenge. I was lucky enough to find it used a few days ago, and it was worth every penny.

Books read: 98/100 (98%)
Pages read: 29,305/30,000 (98%)

Two books or 695 pages to go! (Although I have 50 or 60 books left to read for various challenges this year.)

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12 Comments »

Eva wrote, on September 9th, 2007 at 7:24 am:

I’ll have to read this one-I read The Book Thief a couple weeks ago.

And, as if his writing talent weren’s enough, Zusak is adorable. I’m in love with him as well!

Poodlerat wrote, on September 9th, 2007 at 7:27 am:

He’s awesome, isn’t he?

I can’t wait to see what he did with a subject like the holocaust, after seeing what he did with an unambitious teenager.

CJHill wrote, on September 11th, 2007 at 3:22 pm:

The dog’s name is Doorman?

That alone would be enough to sell me on the book. Thanks for the review. I’ll definitely need to add this to my list.

I’ve started “The Book Thief” twice now only to be drawn away by other things. I’ve loved what I’ve read so far and I swear the next time I pick it up, I’m going to finish it.

cjh

Poodlerat wrote, on September 11th, 2007 at 8:53 pm:

In fact, his name is the Doorman, which is even better.

aloi wrote, on September 13th, 2007 at 10:21 am:

you’ve got me interested! when i go to the bookstore/library, will look this up. falling in love with an author at first read? that’s got to count for something!

Poodlerat wrote, on September 13th, 2007 at 9:55 pm:

Definitely check it out! Of course, not everyone will like it as much as I did, but I can’t imagine anyone actually disliking it—for young adult fiction, it’s pretty brilliant.

Lotus wrote, on September 18th, 2007 at 9:05 am:

I have heard only good things about Zusak but have never read him. Should I start with “Messenger” or “Book Thief”? The latter is a tome and that is why I have been avoiding it!

Poodlerat wrote, on September 18th, 2007 at 9:15 am:

I’ve never read the latter, but I don’t see any problem with starting with Messenger. Although the topics it deals with aren’t as dark as Book Thief, it still has some really important things to say, and both the plot and the characters are very enjoyable. Also, sometimes you want something a little lighter (and shorter.)

I wouldn’t worry too much about the length, though. Messenger reads like a very mature and sophisticated YA novel—the writing and themes and polished and adult, but it has the ease and readability common to well-written YA and genre fiction.

jmfausti wrote, on September 18th, 2007 at 2:20 pm:

I read and really enjoyed The Book Thief. ‘I am the Messenger’ is currently residing on my nightstand. I’m looking forward to getting to it.

Poodlerat wrote, on September 18th, 2007 at 2:22 pm:

You won’t regret it!

jo jo sunshine wrote, on May 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am:

this was a good book. yes the ending was a bit of a downer as well as the excessive language, but it kept me reading to say the least.
Now the Book Thief, thats a different story. I believe that that was the best book i have ever read. it was a real tear-jerker for me, but i could never put it down without dying to open it once more.

Poodlerat wrote, on May 15th, 2008 at 12:09 pm:

I have yet to read The Book Thief, but you’re not the only one with great things to say about it!

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