BOOK REVIEW: I Am The Messenger

Markus Zusak is a brilliant author. His books are “fresh, engrossing, well conceived, and touching” to quote his many reviews. I have to add my own opinion; Markus Zusak may be categorized as a Young Adult author, but he is one of my favorites. (To be perfectly honest, I do not qualify as a young adult.)

I AM THE MESSENGER is Ed Kennedy’s story. Ed is hardly the type to find himself the hero of anything, let alone a full length book. He is an underage cabdriver, a pathetic card player, his best friends are losers, and he is completely devoted to his dog, Doorman, who has body odor issues.

After Ed earns some brief fame for capturing a very incompetent bank robber, he receives an ace of diamonds in the mail with three addresses written on it. As he visits each house, he slowly becomes aware of what he is expected to do. One house has a husband who comes home each night to beat and rape his wife. One home has a lonely, elderly woman and in another home is a young girl who gets up each morning to train for a track event.

The result of figuring out what he is to do to help these people brings more cards, more address, and more confusion as to who is making him the messenger and why. Each assignment brings him a little closer to the people he cares the most about. He learns things about his mother and why their relationship is so cold. He also gets involved with his friends troubles in ways that surprise him, as well as the reader. Who is responsible for the cards becomes secondary to how each life story will play out, with Ed's help.

It is not giving too much information to tell you the point of the book is that everyone, no matter how ordinary he sees himself, can change lives. This is a message for all of us; no matter what our age is.

Although this is listed as a young person’s book, I would recommend it for the more mature reader. The language is typical for the characters and some of the scenes a little violent; so be aware.

Markus Zusak is also the author of my favorite book of the year, THE BOOK THIEF.  Zusak is brilliant at character development, creates witty and touching dialogue, and can invoke honest emotions in his readers. He is writing books with more substance than most of the best sellers written for an adult audience. Some books may be wasted on the young. It takes a bit of life to appreciate life.