Book review: I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Title: I Am the Messenger
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: RHCP Digital
Publication date: 1st January 2015
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Summary:
“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 . . .”
My review:
Markus Zusak at his best! This book’s concept is hard to explain because it deals with so many beautiful and complex life issues that are difficult to summarise without giving too much away. However, just like other books by this author, it sucks you in from the very first page and it is clear from the ingenious first chapter that it will be another Zusak masterpiece.
What made this book so special for me was the perfect combination of friendship and community that becomes evident as we learn the objective of each message. Although at first each character appears to be plain, Zusak’s emphasis on how “sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference” is the key element that triggers such strong emotions and encourages the reader to sail through this book. The storytelling aspect is brilliant and the writing is truly one of a kind. He easily develops the short staccato sentences to fully strengthen the characterisation and his word choice is extremely careful so that the final result is a polished and beautifully written story.
Lovers of The Book Thief may at first struggle with this book because it has a completely different feel, however I strongly encourage to keep reading as the story develops into a unique and beautiful tale of how the most ordinary people can sometimes do the most extraordinary things.
7 Comments
Lexie
I haven’t read I am the Messenger yet but I am a huge fan of The Book Thief. I’ll definitely read it soon.
facingthestory
I hope you enjoy it when you get around to it! It’s definitely different to The Book Thief but just as clever of a concept and the writing is brilliant here too 🙂
Norrie
Ah, this sounds lovely!
I actually got a copy of this from the charity shop, but didn’t really check what it was about. Just knew the author is super popular 😀
facingthestory
Ooh if you haven’t read anything by Markus Zusak yet I would definitely recommend The Book Thief! However, as you already have this one, I don’t think you could go wrong by reading it either. Both are lovely, just in different ways 🙂
jennifertarheelreader
I’m so happy you loved this, Darina! I’ve had such high hopes! Wonderful review! 🍓
facingthestory
Thanks, Jennifer! <3 This really was quite a special book. I hope you enjoy it when you get round to reading it!
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