I am the Messenger

Reader reviewed by Allyssa

I am the messenger is about this guy named Ed. Ed receives these player cards, with little messages written out on them, in the mail. These cards contain various tasks, in which Ed must complete. One of them includes hanging out with a lonely elder lady. He doesn't know why he is getting them, but he completes them, nonetheless. By following these tasks, he not only understands himself more, but he also understands his friends more.

This book has humor and a decent plot line. I read this book in two days; it really is great. I love it because the story line is so great, and just by the way Zusak writes the story. There are many twists and turns in this story that it's hard not to feel involved.

Reader reviewed by Leon Monaco

The Messenger
Leon Monaco

The thrilling, epic novel by Markus Zusak, The Messenger demonstrates how an ordinary guy can turn his life around that he can live beyond what [he is] capable of. Ed Kennedy starts out to be an average, half-hearted 19 year old cab driver with a low self-esteem and nothing going for him in his life. All of these traits start to change when Ed starts receiving messages in the mail printed onto playing cards. Through his journey of delivering these messages, he confronts fear, love, friendships and personal dilemmas, which are all solved, changing parts of Ed slowly. By the end of the text, Ed has transformed into a courageous and loving human being, which has set him up for a new life. So how did the messages turn Ed into a better person?

While Ed delivered his messages, he made friends with some of the people he delivered to. The first fiend he made was the priest, Father Thomas OReilly. Eds message for the priest was for him to be reunited with his brother. In the meantime, Ed becomes good friends with Father OReilly, which leads him into going to church and increasing his faith.
The next person Ed befriended was Angie Carusso, mother of three children and who is always giving. As a generous, but small gesture she buys an ice-cream for her children every week like clockwork. To do something for someone who is always giving, Ed buys an ice-cream for her. You never get an ice-cream for yourself&you deserve one to Ed. Later in the text, Angie meets up with Ed and hands him an ice-cream, just a way to say thankyou.
Ed made friends with members of the Tatupu family, who from the very beginning idolised him. Ed jokes and laughs with them at dinner and gives the children piggyback rides. When Ed put the lights up at their house he brought a poor husband and wife together and made them forget about their poor miserable lives just for a second. This proved to Ed that beauty wasnt in a persons appearance, but instead, on the inside. Sometimes, people are beautiful¬ in looks¬ in what they say&just in what they are Ed. This situation made Eds self-esteem lift; thinking that anyone and everyone is beautiful, including himself.
The owner of the old fashioned cinema, Bernie Price became friends with Ed once Ed came to his cinema with Audrey. This reminded Bernie of himself years ago. While watching the movie with Audrey, Ed had a bit of trouble with his messenger, moving around the building and changing the movie reel to the one showing Eds past accomplishments with his messages. What was shown demonstrated how Ed changed other peoples lives. The final words on the film were: Time to move on hinting to Ed that it in now his turn to change. This task, however, cannot be done with only gaining a few friends. He would need something more.

Through Eds journey to deliver his messages, he faced fearful times where he needed courage and strength to go on. The first challenge Ed faced was at 45 Edgar St, the rape household. Before ha gained the courage to stop the man from hurting his family, Ed would continuously back away from the challenge night after night, hoping that it would eventually blow over. The thing that persuaded Ed to go through with it was the gun left by his messenger, giving him the confidence to overpower the heavily built rapist to complete his message. Ed didnt kill the man, thinking it was unethical and wrong. This shows how Ed is using new and better judgement.
The second fearful obstacle Ed confronted was Gavin Rose. Beating him up took a great deal of courage which Ed had gained from the Edgar St message. This scenario increased Eds courage as well as his patience, mainly from waiting for Gavin to fight with brother. I feel like Im outside myself Ed, demonstrates that he is using his new courage and strength traits in practice, feeling new and uncomfortable.
Another scary situation that Ed faced was when he dealt with his mother on her porch. Waiting for her was daunting and the conversation that followed took a lot of courage from both parties. This was the first time that Ed had thought that the message was directed at him. I sit here, in the prime of my youth, completely and utterly alone, its me Ed. To Ed this was his darkest moment, worse than Edgar St and the Rose brothers. After these three fearful messages, Ed gains courage, confidence, judgement, strength and patience, all new traits to help him in being a better, stronger person.

Throughout the text, Ed has made friends and fought battles, but there were also times when he would feel love and compassion for the people in his messages. Milla Johnson, Eds first ever message involved love whenever Ed would visit as Jimmy. I like being Jimmy Ed, this shows that Ed likes to be Jimmy so he can be loved back by Milla, If Milla were a younger woman, I believe that Ed would fall for her much more than he does currently in the text. I melt and look her in her old but lovely eyes Ed. This shows how affectionate Ed and Milla are together, loving each other.
Sophie changes Ed drastically. At first, Ed puts himself down constantly because of his poor fitness level. Sophie changes this by making Ed see the beauty and positives in other people rather than see the negatives in himself, to look at the glass half full. Shes beautiful and Im ashamed&feelings of love and lust fight each other inside me Ed. Sophie to Ed is the girl he can never have. He thinks she is gorgeous, but she is only 15 and Ed is 19, it just goes to teach Ed that he cannot have everything also.
As harsh as it was, the conversation between Ed and his mother on her porch would fall into this love category, mainly because of his mother saying that it takes a lot of love to hate [him] like this Bev. In my opinion, when the book has finished, I believe that Bev Kennedy would love his son much more after all of these changes to Eds life have been completed.

So far, we have witnessed new friendships spawning faith and inner beauty, dreaded scenarios creating courage, confidence, judgement, patience and strength, and the unforgettable love tales forcing Ed to have a positive view on life. All of these new characteristics have pushed Ed to become a better person, but he would still need to solve the close friend issues that were stated on the Ace of Hearts. Ritchie, Marv and Audrey all contributed in helping Ed produce his problem solving and observation skills to what is close to him. Ritchie is a lazy and confused man that shows Ed how much worse his life could have been if he didnt care or pursue anything.
Ed demonstrates his new brewed courage to Marv when he confronted Suzanne Boyds father with confidence. Helping out Marv in my opinion was the most meaningful message in the whole novel, because it showed Eds courage, confidence, love and the ability to bring a mother and father together with their child.
Audreys message was to show her how she should stop sleeping around and seek true love. That love lies with Ed, who has loved Audrey for quite some time, but not daring to unveil it. No one will ever love her as much as I do Ed. The night they dance, that love and compassion Ed had for Audrey is shown. There is no doubt that the confidence and affection used that night were influenced by Milla and Sophie from earlier in the novel. After that, Audrey changes her feelings towards Ed and opens her heart to him, resulting in Audrey moving in with Ed permanently at the end of the text.

To sum up this discussion, I believe its fair to say that Ed Kennedy by the end of the novel became a stronger and more loving, courageous and positive human being with now no major flaws or negative characteristics. With the help of these messages, Ed Kennedy will truly live beyond what [he is] capable of.

Reader reviewed by TheBookworm

Through And Through Okay

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak*
3 out of 5 stars

Ed Kennedy is a nobody. Taxi driver. Local deadbeat. Cornerstone of mediocrity. Pathetic card player. His life is a peaceful routine until one day he unintentionally stops a bank robbery. Soon after he receives his first ace. That is when Ed Kennedy becomes the Messenger. One card at a time he is changing the lives of people around him. It might be a box of Christmas lights or an empty shoe box. It might even be reading to or listening. And it might even be attempting murder or beating up someone. Whatever the need, Ed is sent to fix what is broken. As each card becomes harder and closer to Eds inner circle of friends, one thing still bugs him. Who is sending him?

This wasnt my favorite book, but it wasnt the worst either. It was okay. The main character is truthful and straightforward, but still able to feel ashamed and humiliated. What really took the joy out of reading it was the references to sex. I was skipping pages and I believe this book is for older readers. It says ages 12+ but should be a lot higher. The last few chapters to the book were the best. When the cards were for his friends. I got close to teary eyed when it came to Marv and& well youll find out when you read it! The dialogue was a little messy. It was sometimes hard to figure out who was saying what. I am the Messenger wasnt a work of art, but that doesnt mean it should be overlooked as a possible read.

Date Reviewed: August 17th, 2008

*This book was provided by Book Divas.

Reader reviewed by lenely

i read this book in english and i really liked it excluding the last chapter.
the last chapter left me wanting more.
but the most exciting part of the book i liked was the fifth part, when Ed Kennedy was looking for that guy who kept sening him the playing cards.


it's definitely a book worth reading twice * in my opinion anyways* =D

Reader reviewed by Robert

This book was one of the best and most intresting books i have ever read. i think what captures the reader the most is how ordinary Ed is - how easy it is to associate with the character(s). The acts that Ed does makes him a hero, in a real sense of the word.
The only thing that was slightly dissapointing was the ending. Without giving away too much of the book... I just expected a little something more.

But i guess that's how Mark Zusak does it...unexpectidly. Especially the last line which really wraps it up nicely.

The book in general makes you feel good, something about doing good deeds (even if they mean 'bad' deeds), and helping others. The characters are also vast, in-depth and very real. You can see the beautifull audrey or the lazy ritchie.

For anyone reading this post, i urge you to buy this fun, compulsive, light-hearted (but serious at times) book.

Reader reviewed by Steve

First off I feel it necassary to let you know that I am not a big reader and only enjoy books that just seem to find their way to me. Anyway, I have no clue how I stumbled upon this one, but have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't see things the same without finding it. This book is simply amazing, actually feeling like it touched me in some way. I have no time to tell specifics on the whole book, other than that there is no doubt in my mind that a yound adult like myself will love this book.

Reader reviewed by kate

This book is simply wonderful. I read this two days straight, constantly. I never wanted to put it down.

The concept seems like something tired-- following clues and everything that comes with it-- but I was very surprised at the new take and twists that occurred. I adored the Doorman, and rooted for Ed throughout the entire story. The author created very likeable character and a realistic setting-- the descriptions were top-notch. It was funny and easy to follow, which was a tough feat considering all the clues and hints along the way.

Though it was a fun read, it also provided the more serious aspect which caused for a little deeper thinking. Ed realized more about the meaning of life through those cards than anything-- it had me wishing someone would set me up with something like that! The elements of suspense and excitement and romance were all there-- and totaled a very wonderful book.

I would recommend !!

Reader reviewed by Carmen

How would you react if you were told you would soon change the world?

Ed Kennedy: Underage cab driver from a lousy town, going nowhere in a hurry. I suppose he has his friends, Audrey, the girl he loves, Ritchie, the quiet one, and Marv, the guy who just won't shut up about his disgrace of a car.

Then the first card comes.

I Am The Messenger is a thought provoking story that shows how anyone can take the worst of situations and turn them around. I've read Zusak's work before and he doesn't fail to capture the reader in a spellbinding adventure.

Reader reviewed by kelly

This is one of the greatest books I've ever read. It's addictive once you start the first sentence and it sucks you in until you're absolutely drowning in it... Drowning in the plot, the characters, the sheer, raw gloriousness of the whole thing. I applaud Markus Zusak. Well done!

I'm one of the few people who enjoy the ending. You just have to read the book a few times and use your thinking cap to get the gears running smoothly enough to crack what Markus is trying to get through to you. He's trying to get his (and Ed's) message heard. Just think, okay?

This book makes me restless. I want my opportunity, my ace in the mail. I just hope I get to write about it myself.

...And now I've got nothing left to say.

Reader reviewed by superbro



"I am the messenger", began perfect with a touch of hilarious antics,and a bumbling bank robber. Saddly this funny touch never was interweved with the rest of the story. Ed kennedy the main character, was always down on his luck, never the best around the ladies, and not exactly raking in the money (being an under aged cab diver), the author reiterates,this lowly life throughly through out the book, by Ed thinking or saying this. After awhile I got quite annoyed wiht his always complaining. His life wasn't that bad, having four friends and a house with a loving dog, I felt that he didn't have the right to complain. The story line really felt like there was no danger, for example he had to help a abused wife but I really didn't feel like I really cared what happen. his actions took me out of the book, by doing things that completly to him out of his poor me attitude. the problems that confronted him where not challenging at all from buying an ice cream cone for a young girl, to buying chrismas lights. to sum it up this book really didn't keep me interested and the book and saddly, I only finish was to see the ending( which was a ba- d summerization)I would not recrommend this book to those who like a good plot.