I Am The Messenger Review

I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (May 31, 2006)
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 inadvetently 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?

I've been a Zusak fangirl ever since I read THE BOOK THIEF so of course when I saw this book in the library I had to pick it up. It didn't disappoint. Zusak has a tendency to have me racing through the pages and then leave me amazed, shocked, and confused (in a good way) when I finally close the book. I think this is one of those books you have to read several times to truly enjoy and figure out all its secrets. I couldn't even think straight for like two hours after I finished.

The writing was incredible and gorgeous as always. There were several lines that I had to write down in a notebook because they were just so...right. I love Ed's voice and his personality. I love how every character felt like a real person. Like Suzanne or the Rose boys or even Ed is someone that I could pass on the street walking through town.

Overall: 10/10

***SPOILERS AHEAD***

Who sent the letters???? I NEED TO KNOW.

I'm glad that Ed and Audrey finally got together. Ed delivering the message to Audrey was one of the best book moments ever.

Comments

Samantha R. said…
God, this book was amazing. I think I liked it more than The Book Thief.
September 30, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Caitlin R. O'Connell said…
I didn't mind that we never found out who sent them. What did bother me was all the violence used to coerce him - because I just wanted to shout WHY WHY WHY at the book. I wanted a reason for that.
October 1, 2010 at 5:28 PM
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