Markus Zusak

From the author of The Book Thief comes this darkly funny and ultimately uplifting thriller which proves that anyone can be extraordinary. Ed Kennedy is just your less-than-average Joe who is hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey. But after he single-handedly manages to catch a bank robber, he receives a playing card in the mail: the Ace of Diamonds. This is the first message. Four more will follow. But before this particular card game can end, Ed will be changed forever . . . Will Audrey love the man he has become?

I Am the Messenger

Elizabeth Alfiero

Lila R E

BOOK 2 IN MY SEARCH TO FIND A MARKUS ZUSAK NOVEL THAT EQUALS THE MASTERPIECE THAT IS THE BOOK THIEF.

I read The Book Thief when I was 13 and it has been my favourite novel ever since. A year ago, Zusak’s new novel Bridge of Clay came out so I took it out from the library with astronomically high expectations. To cut a long story short, a year later I can’t really tell you what the story was about.

A few weeks ago, I saw this book in the library and decided to give Zusak another chance - after all, as far as I’m concerned The Book Thief is the greatest novel ever written and so, statistically speaking, Zusak should be able to produce something that is at least half its standard (which in my opinion would still be a pretty good read).

The premise of this novel is intriguing; it’s a really nice idea which I honestly think only Zusak would be able to execute well. The problem is the execution. After a few chapters, the novel just feels as though it drags on and on and the ending feels nowhere near as satisfying as it should be given the everlasting build up.

At times, are some beautiful, Book Thief-esque moments that are actually emotional and profound and were the highlight of the novel for me. Elsewhere, Zusak’s writing is similar to his writing in The Book Thief (think metaphor overload and all of that lovely imagery) but in The Messenger, it just feels pretentious and as though he wrote it with a thesaurus.

The Messenger is not a bad book. Aside from the fact that it took me an unreasonable amount of time to read as it felt so endless, it can be perfectly enjoyable and I definitely couldn’t have given it less than three stars. I also have to ask myself the question whether it is fair to judge Zusak entirely against one of his books which is a worldwide bestseller and spent a decade on the New York Times bestseller list.

Ultimately, my search won’t end here - Zusak is like that ex that treated you so well that you’ll always give him another chance - and given that he has six books in total I don’t have a problem with reading three more when he is such a good writer.

To sum this up, I would recommend The Messenger - just don’t go in expecting a masterpiece (like me).

Lamia Hajani

The book is short and sweet - I like that. I was able to finish it in a few hours. The book is also quote-worthy in a lot of ways. The concept of the book - I love it. It's a creative idea and Zusak runs with it. I've wanted to read this book since I read The Book Thief a few years ago, but I never found time. 

If I was 18, I probably would have given this book 5 stars, to be honest. It's written in a way that really connects with fresh-out-of-high-school folks. The writing style is almost immature for me, but the message behind it is good. Parts of it are chilling. Parts of it are heartwarming. Parts of it are funny. Parts of it are maddening.

All in all, I really do like the book, and I did find myself Googling interpretations of the ending. I had to knock it a star because the writing style just isn't what I prefer anymore.

hint of misogyny but still a pretty banging book

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?

Dana Paduraru

overall a good book
some emotional moments i digged
the ending didn t really get me

Alice Myles

This book was captivating, I've been slacking on my reading lately and I couldn't put it down. Markus Zusak really knows how to convey a story and keep you gripped right until the end. 

I've knocked a star off solely for the fact that I wasn't satisfied by the ending, I just didn't like the way it tied things together but for the whole I thought the book was exciting and very enjoyable to read.

Daria Bramnik

I haven't read such a good book since a long long time ago. Markus Zusak, thank you for this experience, thank you for these small moments of happiness and wonder, and for those new experiences which I feel like they're my own. Thank you.

Aya kamel

I borrowed this book from Misr public library and had to finish it during finals so i return it on time .
From the begining of the book the event was expected with a little suspense , messnegers and letters suppose to be delivered ... but i was happy and satisfied reading it .
But the last 50 pages , No! They were mind blowing for me and i really was happy it didn't let me down at the end. I really liked the (1st person ) because he proved that ordinary people are capable of doing something 
May be i will read (the book thief) one day 💛

Nicole Dykeman

Reading this book made me very happy. The story is uplifting, the characters are genuine, and it's essentially a mystery of random acts of kindness. I found myself smiling after every character finally got what they needed, and sometimes out of humor too. Definitely worth a read, it will make you smile.

"The Messenger is comedic, romantic, thrilling, confronting, playful, deceptive... While it shares qualities with Nick Hornby's How to Be Good and Iain Softley's film K-Pax, it is cleverer, subtler and more profound than either and, as a bonus, determinedly Australian." (Australian Book Review)Meet Ed Kennedy - cab driving prodigy, pathetic card player and useless at sex. He lives in a suburban shack, shares coffee with his dog, the Doorman, and he's in nervous love with Audrey. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence - until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first Ace turns up. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town, helping and hurting (where necessary) until only one question remains. Who's behind Ed's mission? The Messenger, by the highly acclaimed author Markus Zusak, is a cryptic journey filled with laughter, fists and love.Join in the conversation about The Messenger with #EdKennedy

The Messenger

Chelsea van Rer

marv and ritchie ❤️❤️❤️ audrey 😒😒😒

After capturing a bank robber, nineteen-year-old cab driver Ed Kennedy begins receiving mysterious messages that direct him to addresses where people need help, and he begins getting over his lifelong feeling of worthlessness.

Callie Anna

Wow. I don't have words for this book. It beautiful in so many ways. Read it, not only for a story, but to have something for your mind to chew on.

Tameka Young

I can not remember a time in recent history ever reading something that made me feel so connected to the creator, as though the two of us were the only ones in on the joke. This was my first Zusak book, but I'm absolutely certain it won't be my last! I really enjoyed this amazing story, and I loved being a part of Ed's journey.

Helen Ball

This book was nice.

I liked Ed Kennedy as the narrator. I think a little bit (if not more) in all of us can recognize his thoughts and feelings about ambition and where he's going to end up in life, as well as his strange relationship with his mother and his friends.

The only part I was iffy about at first was his interactions with Audrey. They had the slightly whiny tones of "I love her so much but she's FRIENDZONED me, gosh darnit!" 

But he respected her feelings, and they did end up changing (light spoilers, I saw that coming from a mile away). And it was a nice character development bit watching him grow a backbone and step up to the plate and such.

The story itself was heartwarming. I really liked the concept of the messages that he had to deliver.

The only thing that felt a bit off to me was the pacing. Just something about it threw me. In the middle or in the third part, the pacing was just thrown off. Things were slow.

Would recommend

Julie D.

The ending was perfect, if not a tiiiiny bit confusing.

Also, MARV. I cried happy tears for you, bby.

Vanessa Egger

Ed Kennedy führt ein durch und durch unspektakuläres Leben bis er in seinem Briefkasten eine Spielkarte findet auf der 3 Adressen stehen. Schnell findet Ed heraus, dass er den Menschen hinter diesen Adressen helfen muss. Und sein Leben verändert sich ganz dramatisch.

Ein wundervolles Buch mit einem ganz eigenen Schreibstil.

megan adlam

i just love markus’s writing style it so beautiful
-very trippy
-mystery novel but very original 


Julija M

Thomas George

The book speaks about Ed, the typical social failure and his haphazard life as a taxi driver and how one event turns his life over. 

The book talks about even the least of us can be better people. How being better people will help us. 

Fiona Coffey

I loved this book so much. I didn't write much of a review for The Book Thief, but I can tell you now, Markus Zusac has got to be one of my favorite authors. His writing style is comparable to dragging your feet through a gutter full of crisp leaves in the fall, or buttered toast. (Call me cheesy, but read one of his books and you'll see what I mean!) 

The book started out kind of unassuming. The beginning didn't catch my attention immediately. I liked it, it was good, but I didn't love it. 

Ed Kennedy is completely ordinary. He drives a taxi for a living, and plays cards with his friends Marv, Richie and Audrey on the weekends. He lives in a crappy little house with the smelliest dog on the planet. 

And then Ed Kennedy gets the first card. It's the Ace of Diamonds.

He soon gets enveloped in this game, solve the puzzle of the addresses or the names, figure out how to help the people on the cards. He goes from being "just Ed" to being the same Ed. Only now he's extraordinary. 

I can't give you more than that much of a summary without giving up the entire book. I loved it though. It made me feel so good, reading about how he changes the lives of so many people in such simple admirable little ways. It made me want to do the same. It made me get a little testy eyed in a couple of parts... It was brilliant. 

Hats off to you Markus Zusac!

(Hats off to Ed Kennedy as well)

Ed Kennedy - cab driving prodigy, pathetic card player, useless at sex - shares coffee with his dog and is in nervous-love with Audrey. His life is one of suburban routine and incompetence, until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace turns up and Ed becomes the messenger. PROTECT THE DIAMONDS SURVIVE THE CLUBS DIG DEEP THROUGH SPADES FEEL THE HEARTS Chosen to care, he travels through town, helping and hurting, until only one question remains. Where are the messages coming from?Join in the conversation about The Messenger with #EdKennedy

Emily fowler

I didn’t love the explanation of why he was receiving these cards but everything up until then I adored, I was a little worried going into this book as the book thief is a favourite and I was disappointed by go set a watchmen (to kill a mockingbird is also a firm favourite) but this book was a gem.

Destiny J Tamayo

I am wayyy to over emotional after reading this. It was absolutely amazing.

Emily

I was absolutely enthralled by this book. I think that's the best way to describe how it felt reading it. And, it wasn't just because I wanted to know who was behind Ed's mission, it was mostly because of how interesting every character's story was. A lot can be taken away from this book, especially the idea that anyone can make a difference, even if they are the one who needs to feel that difference.

I think I can see why people liked this. But it just wasn't for me.

Zoe Smolen

I have mixed feelings on this book. I thought the plot was interesting, and I loved Zusak's writing style, but for some reason, I had a try really hard to pay attention to the book. I just had a hard time connecting to the characters, I guess. Most of them seemed to apathetic to what was going on around them that it made it seem like kind of a dull read.

I Am the Messenger

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