I Am the Messenger (vuoden 2005 painos)

This is the story of Ed Kennedy, who starts getting playing cards containing messages after he thwarts a bank robbery. The cards change his life.

I loved Ed. His voice is that of a disaffected 19-year-old who really has no illusions about his shortcomings, but maybe doesn't see his strengths as others might see them. Following the cards, and becoming the messenger, help him see a bit more clearly what is and what could be. ( )

Cuando mi hija de 16 años me recomendó que leyera esta novela, no pensé que fuera a tener una conexión tan llamativa con Niebla, una de las últimas obras que acababa de terminar. "I am the messenger" me ha parecido original, muy bien trabada, con personajes bien perfilados y con un estilo sumamente eficaz, aunque soy consciente de que la generación de énfasis a través de la acumulación de frases breves y sueltas puede resultar irritante para algún lector. Es, además, emocionante (por momentos, muy emocionante), aunque me temo que, si uno se aleja un poco (o quizá si el lector ya dejó hace tiempo de ser un "young adult" -a quien parece ir dirigida expresamente la obra-), su optimismo resulta excesivamente ingenuo. Tengo la impresión, no obstante, de que, de haberla leído con 16 años, me habría marcado. En todo caso, muy disfrutable a cualquier edad. ( )

Most authors have a specific writing style, genre, and themes that they revisit throughout their publications, but having read only one of Zusak’s novels prior to this one (The Book Thief, which was entirely surprising, and not really definable in concrete terms) I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this book. Another historical fiction it is not, and not a book with surprising narration either, but it was still a very enjoyable read. I guess I would define it as a coming of age story, since the protagonist (the hapless Ed Kennedy) finds himself and redefines his life through the quests given to him by the mysterious playing cards, but since Ed is nominally older than the usual teens who populate these types of stories I don’t feel comfortable lumping it in with these books. His quests are of a more adult nature - he’s not rebelling against his parents or society - and in some ways could have very adult consequences (and do in a few cases). Ed’s quest was definitely an interesting ride, but I don’t think it quite compares to The Book Thief, even though it obviously has merit as a story. Maybe if I hadn’t loved the Book Thief so much or read this one first I could rate it higher, but unfortunately hindsight is 20/20! ( )

The only reason I picked up this book was because of how much The Book Thief touched me. I knew this one would be different and I wasn't expecting it to be the same at all however, I was hoping for something powerful and impact up bc of what the author was able to do with his other work. This just never quite did that for me. Overall just okay. ( )

While overall the book seems somewhat contrived, there are some interesting aspects to it. It is not being a hero that leads us to the life we want, it is being aware and being present. That he doesn't truly see his friends or his family - that is a big part of his failure. He settles into pattern and does not look at things too closely. The book confuses this a bit by bringing in the hero acts, but these are not the important changes. If anything, what they do is convey to the narrator that action is possible, that we can reach beyond our perceived limits.

The ending is a disappointment and exposes the weaknesses of the pretext. First of all, there are other works about writer as creator which make the point more effectively and in a less confused way, and also which do not negate the content up to that point. He seems to want also to go in the direction of us as creators of ourselves, which makes the ending even more confused. It is weak, lacks certainty and seems cheap, an abandonment of story.

Then there is the plot itself. With the ending, the use of the cards and the riddles seems utterly pointless. Also, what is the inspiration for the behavior in the bank? At first one doesn't question it, but as more of the character is revealed, it makes less and less sense. Oh, forced by the author character? Well! That just makes the author seem weak in forcing out of character actions in an attempt to move the plot along.

Truthfully, while the card part was somewhat interesting, the book would have been better if it had focused on its intent - the importance of being as a verb - instead of getting distracted by cutesy plot devices. It would have had more heart and a more powerful message instead of one diluted by purported cleverness.

Then there's the issue of the girl. Is he being a "Nice Guy"? It's hard to say for most of the book, as he doesn't seem to have demands or expectations but at the same time, he doesn't respect her choices and the end is problematic. Better if he'd come to realize that she was really into her boyfriend and not him, if he'd been able to find a way to be friends and cherish the friendship without hoping for more or disparaging her taste in men. That said, he didn't demonize the boyfriend, though he did doubt the validity of her choices. So, yes, problematic.

The part about not seeing his friends and getting closer to them was good. The bits with the running girl and old woman were farfetched - but enjoyable in several ways - the value of seeing what is going on in the world, looking deeper, the importance of kindness. Also, in the case of the running girl, being true to your passions instead of acting based on other people's values and expectations. Finding joy in yourself instead of external validation. A bit trite and forced in presentation, but valuable things to think about as we walk through the world.

It was a novel of good intentions, but poor execution with an ending that killed off all it had begun to accomplish.

It was, at least, a quick and easy read and does not immediately disappear from the mind. Also, I read this for a book club, it is a young adult book and I am not a young adult. Therefore, I feel a bit of "who am I to judge something that may be valuable for its intended audience?" ( )