I Am the Messenger

I will be the first to admit the writing style is captivating and their are some truly brillant funny moments. However, the plot and underlying message is truly disturbing. A 19 year old cab driver starts getting mysterious messages in the mail each of them containing something he has to do..some heroic task, like intervening to stop a women from being abused. Here is the catch-the cab driver is being threatened with his life. Told if he doesn't do these things he will die. Slowly, he begins believing that he must do these things to better himself or to save the world. It makes you want to shout- stop drinking the cool aid! Futhermore, these tasks take on throughly intrusive means-stalking people outside their homes, concealing his indentity and even putting a gun to someone's head! Meanwhile, the other characters fit a little to seemlessly into the narrative. When he tells his friends about it, they each try to comfort him and even encourage him to continue following the messages. The ending is throughly disappointing. The suspense is built throughout the story. We want to know who is sending them and why? But it turns out to be stranger who seemly just wants to mess with him and then disappears. This plot would fair better as a horror story but unfortunely, it is wrapped up in a Disney-like happy ending-the character feels happy, he has become a better person, none of the attempts he made at helping people went poorly. He even gets a romatic love scence with the girl of his dreams. One last qualm- some of the scences you have to read twice- it is not abundantly clear what is going on. So yes, a lot of potential in the story but one that seems tainted with misplaced optimism.

This is my favorite book of all time. I love Markus Zusak style of story telling. His characters always have a way of relating to you despite the differences of circumstances. The struggles Ed goes through, he's not doing bad, but wants to do more with his life, especially being shadowed by his siblings accomplishments. Overall its a good book with an unexpected ending that touches you in a way that makes you want to change some things in your life as well.

This book was very enjoyable. It never fell flat and never got boring keeping me engaged in the mystery and suspense of what was going to happen next. This book had enjoyable characters and had great chracter moments. It was a good balance between drama and comedy and it was downright emotional at times. The plot was unpredictable and that's what Iiked about it, When you read I kept you on the edge of your seat and had you anxious for more. My favorite characters in this book would probably be Ed, Marv, and Doorman. They had good humorous interactions were laugh out loud funny. And the best part of the book is the ending which was very suprising.