Friday, August 5, 2011

A Reader's Ramble- I Am The Messenger

Hey everyone, I thought I'd give you an actual post today as well! So, enjoy this review of I Am The Messenger by one and only Markus Zusak!

Page count- 356
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? 

I don't know why that's outlined in white.. I can't get it off for some reason.. oh well. ANYWAYS..

My goodness. How do I even write a review for this?

Plot- Goodness gracious, this book! Ahh! Just wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Markus Zusak is a freaking genius. He first wowed me with The Book Thief and now he's done it again! I just loved this story. He started out with a bang, things started happening right away. We didn't have to wait around at all. He got his first message and went on his way to deliver it. Well, after the bank robbery. Each message was so unique too.

This book is HILARIOUS! I was laughing out loud at points, especially in the beginning. I mean Zusak just has such a sense of humor and he coordinates it well in his writing. This story was really relateable too. I mean, not to me since I'm not a "Ed Kennedy" type of person, but it definitely would be to someone who is like him. Someone who has no purpose in life, no ambition. The whole concept of this story was just beautiful. The true message of this story is just wonderful and it really opens your eyes. Some of the messages that Ed delivered were just so amazing and pure. I wanted to hug him for some of the things he did. I normally am not crazy about books narrated by boy MC's, but I loved Ed's voice.

Zusak even added a little bit of romance in this novel. When I thought it couldn't get any better, he adds that! I just loved this story line and the overall message to the reader. (Which I will discuss in the Theme part) I was never bored while reading this book, there was always something happening.

Setting- Somewhere in Australia. They didn't say where specifically but it was an older run down town. A good fit for the character of Ed Kennedy.

Theme- Ahh, I loved the theme of this book! I could go on and on about it but, this simple line from the story says it all.

"If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can. Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of." 
Enough said, right? I just loved this theme, it really touched my heart.

Characters- Gah, where do I begin? I guess I'll just talk about Ed.
Ed Kennedy. Underage cab driver. Average nobody. No ambition. No goals. A lot like his dead alcoholic father. Hated by his mother. Lives with a dog named The Doorman. In love with his best friend.

When we first meet Ed, he is really just a nobody. When I first started, I thought I wasn't going to like him that much. Then when he started getting messages.. haha... I was so wrong.

Ed is such a wonderful, hilarious, caring, realistic, and loving character. He has a soul and could do so much with his life if he really wanted to. I loved his voice and his intentions. I just loved how good of a person he was on the inside. His humor was amazing, I was laughing out loud during this book. Ed has a troubled past like any other normal person, which makes him even more real.

Just love. Love. Love. Markus Zusak just has a way to make you fall in love with his characters.

Cover- Eh. It doesn't do justice to the greatness of this novel. I wouldn't pick it up on a shelf if I saw it but, the taxi on it is a good fit!

Overall- Overall, I loved this! It was a really eye opening and refreshing read. It is one of my favorites and I am really, really glad I decided to read this book. Markus Zusak is just the best author ever. Was this as good as The Book Thief? No, but it was really good anyway. I just loved everything about this story, I have no negatives what so ever. The overall message to the reader is just so great and original. The only little thing was that the ending was a little bit confusing. I wasn't really sure who was giving him the messages.. first I thought it was one guy.. then another guy came and said he did and I'm like.. what? Oh well, it's not really important. Well, it is. Well, I have nothing else to say.

With that being said, this novel gets 5/5 stars! It was one of my favorite reads and I HIGHLY recommend it. If you loved The Book Thief and you love Markus Zusak, you will love this! Even if you have no idea who Markus Zusak is, you'll still love this book!




Look out for Marisa's  guest post tomorrow! 

4 comments:

Savannah Jean said...

I can't wait to read this book!

Converse said...

I was going to borrow it from Munch, but she said it was terrible! I read some reviews to that said it had some "Sad content in it"....but I might try it out now that you wrote this review.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Just another book I've got to add to my "Have To Read" list! ;D If "The Book Thief" is any indicator, then I will LOVE this book, too. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Anonymous said...

Hey, Paige - I wanted to let you know that you've received an award at my blog for when you get back! Check it out:

http://perfectlysensiblenonsense.blogspot.com/2011/08/liebster-means-favorite.html