I am the Messenger

Another wonderfully written book Markus Zusak, one of my new favorite authors.

(Book may have different cover art depending on where you live)

Summary: 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?

Official Reviews:

"Compulsively readable." - Publishers Weekly

"Unpretentious, well conceived, and appropriately raw." - School Library Journal

"Zusak succeeds brilliantly." - Booklist

" Funny, engrossing, and suspenseful." - KLIATT

"Raucous, poignant, and at times laugh-out-loud funny." - Bookpage

My Review: I have read this book twice this year and both times I have found it 100% amusing and always surprising. The story follows Ed through his perspective, and is written at times very simply, yet completely human. I have never read a book (save for the Book Thief also by Zusak) where the characters seem more believable. Even books such as Percy Jackson or Maximum Ride both written in first person point-of-view can't compare to this book. The book dives into the psyche of an underachieving cab-driver and you read his thoughts in a way that is very easy to relate to and very realistic. If I could I would rate this book  six out of five stars just because of writing style alone. The plot, is one that I find very unique, but in a way reminds me slightly of Because of Winn-Dixie. I would definitely recommend this book, but it is more of a young-adult, to an adult book. There are swear words and some more adult themes, but it is an extremely eye-opening book, and for anyone (such as myself) who aspires to become an author, the unusual writing style can prove to be a refreshing change.

Anyone else read this book? If so, you should click on that little comment button and tell me what you thought of it. Did you like it, love it, or by some chance not like it? Tell me why? Remember, I can't start a reading revolution by myself. I need help doing it! So come on, don't be shy, and help me start the reading revolution.