I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger, by Markus Zusak. Here’s the Barnes and Noble synopsis.

Meet Ed Kennedy—underage cabdriver, pathetic cardplayer, and useless at romance. He lives in a shack with his coffee-addicted dog, the Doorman, and he’s hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That’s when the first Ace arrives. 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?



Winner of the 2003 Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Award in Australia, I Am the Messenger is a cryptic journey filled with laughter, fists, and love.

This book was AMAZING. It’s definitely not a light read, if that’s what you’re looking for. You really have to be in the right mood for it, but if you are in the right mood, it’s PERFECT.

One thing that really stood out to me about this book was the style it was written in. Normally, what matters most for me in a book is the characters. The actual writing of the book isn’t nearly as much of a focus for me. In this book, though, the phrasing was really elegant, and you could tell that Markus Zusak was intending for it to sound a particular way. Every word is important. It’s like literature for teens. It really makes you think.

As for the story, it was really well laid out and paced. The plot rotates between Ed’s his life at home and Ed following the instructions on the cards. It’s a perfect and realistic mix.

It’s also a really nice idea. Ed is helping himself by helping others. It’s really sweet, but not in an overdone way. If anything, it’s underdone, but it fits. When I began reading it, I was put off by its depressing, apathetic tone. As I read on, though, the narration becomes more animated and spirited, as Ed does.

The characters were also well-written. They had depth. At the beginning, again, there were some characters who I immediately labeled as flat and extraneous. As I progressed through the book, though, I realized I was wrong. Every character has their own problems and their own way of dealing with problems. Even though I couldn’t relate to Ed, it didn’t matter. In many books, if I can’t connect, the book is ruined. Not here. That’s not the point.

Most books I read are written solely for entertainment. This, I feel, was different. I mean, it was entertaining, but it served more of a purpose than that. It gave a different outlook on life, but in a really understated way. Really made me think.

As I said before, if you’re looking for a beach read, this is not it. This is more mentally stimulating and attention-demanding. I’m not saying one is better than the other, because it isn’t. They’re just different. You have to be in a more subdued, thoughtful mood to really enjoy and appreciate I am the Messenger. And I really recommend waiting to be in that mood to read it. It’s worth it.

Bibliobibula out.