I am the Messenger

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-09-11 rating:
read it in one go
Having read and delighted in The Book Thief, I thought that I would give I am the Messenger a go. I was in Oz at the time and so the setting was perfect. It truly is a read in one sitting book. It may have been written for young adults but is a book that all can take from.

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review by: Sikth86 date: 2008-09-09 rating:
Book Of The Year? Quite Possibly....
Where to start? After reading the Book Thief I had serious doubts that Markus Zusak could pull off another book of such amazing quality,so one day when I was browsing amazon i decided to see if there were any other books of his,and i never realised how many books he has released. I liked the idea of I Am The Messenger the fact that it was similar to my name is earl was kind of a factor,but the other main draw was that i hadn't read anything similar before so I thought id give it a try and im glad I did. The bare bones of the story are the main character Ed Kennedy and basically how hopeless his existence is,he has no real drive or motivation and seems to be going day to day as a taxi driver, but when he gets caught up in a failed bank robbery he becomes a local celebrity of sorts and thats when the fun really begins as he receives a playing card with 3 addresses on it,not knowing who sent it or what it means Ed starts his journey.I found this to be more fast paced that the Book thief but its hard to compare the two really as this is a very funny story with some genuinely laugh out loud moments. The characters are very likeable and you do start to feel for Ed when things arent going his way and when things start to come together you want him to succeed in his mission.If you weren't a fan of the Book Thief id still recommend this book as the style of writing is very different and the story may be more suited to a wider audience.I would actually go to say the message in here is a strong one that will make me look at my life and that of others around me im not sure anyone else will get a similar message but what you will get is a very enjoyable read.

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review by: date: 2008-08-19 rating:
superb !!
i've only found out this book is aimed at teens ? doesn't seem right but never the less a great book it was just a change to read something different it was great writing and the chacaters were just so close to your heart by the end a really warming story. just take a chance and give it ago can't belive its not more popular.

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review by: Skypilot date: 2008-08-06 rating:
Another chance?
I read "The Book Thief" and hated it - couldn't see why it deserved so many good reviews! I read this book because, in the light of those good reviews I wanted to give Zusak another go - I am glad that I did.

I am the Messenger is a much better book. It's engaging and intriguing - you warm to all the characters, especially to Ed and his smelly dog, and his new found purpose in life touching the lives of others, largely for the better!

I found the ending a little disappointing in that I think it's been done before (Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder) where it has a deeply philosophical, and entirely fitting, purpose. I still think that Zusak is a bit 'lite' in his philosophy, as indeed he was with 'The Book Thief' but I actually enjoyed this book much better. It certainly challenged me about the ways in which, for better or worse, I touch the lives of others along the way!


review by: Sarah Wray - writer of teen fiction (www.sarahwray.com) date: 2008-05-20 rating:
Wonderful book
Like the other reviewers, I read this book because I enjoyed The Book Thief so much. I Am The Messenger is a very different book, but, I think, equally as brilliant. It's very readable, (I couldn't put it down and carried it around with my all day) and the characters are flawed but I loved them all. The book is very uplifting but never wallows in sentimentality or emetic sweetness. If you like things that are quirky, and a little different, then give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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Similar categories

Books . Subjects . Young Adult . Adventure & Thrillers
Books . Subjects . Young Adult . General AAS
Books . Subjects . Children's Books . General AAS
Books . Subjects . Children's Books . Ages 12-16 . General AAS
Books . Refinements . Language (feature_browse-bin) . English
Books . Refinements . Age (feature_two_browse-bin) . Ages 12-16
Books . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . Paperback
Books . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)

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