I will not lie. I, like many other people, picked up this book after reading Zusak's brilliant The Book Thief, not completely knowing what it was about. A lot of times people are disappointed after reading other books from the same author; expecting the same kind of brilliance and being let down. That, however, is not the case with this book!
I am the Messenger may be very different to 'The Book Thief plot wise, but it shares many of the same components: engaging the readers beginning to end, leaving the readers with a lot to think about and, most importantly, carrying a message.
The main protagonist, Ed Kennedy, is just your ordinary under privileged teenager: ordinary name, ordinary job and ordinary life style. This equilibrium, however, is interrupted one day when he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. Soon he starts receiving aces in his post and as the title suggests becomes a 'messenger'. Fist fights, tears and lots of beer: Ed is in for a heck of a ride. Little does he know he is being affected just as much as he is affecting others.
This book is shocking, tear-jerking but, most importantly, heart warming, spreading a simple message which in the fast lifestyle we live in is often forgotten. What is this message? Well you'll just have to read it and find out!
Rating: 5/5
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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