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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite book. It has been since I was 15 or 16. My personal writing style has been indelibly marked by this book’s every facet:
Oblique and obscure references to literature, humorous idiosyncrasies of human conversation, unexplained mysteries that work better for having been unsolved, endless longing, the constant state of growing up, existential forces of influence, author-inserts, vagaries and vague-eries, light descriptions of darkness and heavy descriptions of levity, and the crutch of relying on dysfunction because its familiar.
I do think this book made me a better person each time I read it. I hope to meet the person I’ll become next, and see what they have to say.
Oblique and obscure references to literature, humorous idiosyncrasies of human conversation, unexplained mysteries that work better for having been unsolved, endless longing, the constant state of growing up, existential forces of influence, author-inserts, vagaries and vague-eries, light descriptions of darkness and heavy descriptions of levity, and the crutch of relying on dysfunction because its familiar.
I do think this book made me a better person each time I read it. I hope to meet the person I’ll become next, and see what they have to say.
Fascinating, original premise that delivered a beautiful message of selflessness with very ordinary characters. One of the most moral stories I've ever read.
I Am the Messenger comes from Markus Zusak – author of the bestselling and incredible novel The Book Thief. Anyone who has read that will know how good Zusak’s writing and imagination can be, and while I Am the Messenger is not quite The Book Thief, I love the familiarity of the writing, without even looking, I could tell immediately this was his work... read the full review here: https://www.amysbookshelf.co.uk/2015/03/i-am-messenger-book-review/
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An incredibly fun, enjoyable read. The premise is highly interesting and I loved the way it all unfolded. The tense and serious moments are written with care, and I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s clever style of writing. Great concept, wonderful character development, and delightful all around!
This was a sweet book. It kept me very entertained throughout the entire thing. It was funny, sweet, and dramatic all at the same time.
An enjoyable read start to finish, as are most Markus Zusak books. His writing style always feels like it’s a breeze to read through.
If I read this before The Book Thief, I would have liked it even more. And if the last few pages were edited out, I would have given it five stars. For now, I'm going to pretend the ending didn't happen the way it did, and I'm just going to focus on the bang-snap writing and a cast of characters who don't often make it into books and a message that's stunning and true and beautiful.
Oh heck, I really really liked this and I can't wait until my nephew is old enough to read it. I'll give him a copy with the ending ripped out.
Oh heck, I really really liked this and I can't wait until my nephew is old enough to read it. I'll give him a copy with the ending ripped out.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay. So I decided to give this book 4 stars but only with the thought that this book is a STORY with a moral. Don't expect a realistic novel like I did in the beginning, because then you will only get annoyed by how unrealistic this story is. See it as a modern time tale told to learn us something about life. I think. The book became too vague for me at some points, like as if it went way over my head (like HOW does Ed suddenly just know what to do by only receiving a vague hint about something or someone and always guess right?? And the ending.. what/who/how the heck?) but overall I got the story and got why most of the things happened.
Now let's talk about the beginning of the book. As I said I went in expecting a realistic story, maybe even with thriller and mystery aspects. But I was taken aback by how hilarious this book was right from the start. It had me at the first few pages. It felt like a coming of age turns mystery comedy story about a boy who lives in somewhat unlucky circumstances. I adore the way Zusak writes (it's funny, reels you in and doesn't let you go). The fact that I only read 'The Book Thief' (which I absolutely loved) from his work, made that I had to adjust to a more light hearted funny writing style but that was only a matter of minutes. I wished the mystery was a bigger part of the story but in hindsight I realise that that's not the point.. As I read it I saw it all being played out like a teen movie. I know Ed's physique isn't described like it, but I couldn't stop imagining him as an Asa Butterfield character.
The descriptive way of writing without it being too much is something Zusak masters. I think you either love or hate his work. He writes in a way that you just know a lesson can be taken away from this; for me it was opening your eyes to your environment and really see others around you. Do good and good will come for you! (I love that message. It's a good thing to live by, and I even have a tattoo dedicated to it to remind me everyday)
Now let's talk about the beginning of the book. As I said I went in expecting a realistic story, maybe even with thriller and mystery aspects. But I was taken aback by how hilarious this book was right from the start. It had me at the first few pages. It felt like a coming of age turns mystery comedy story about a boy who lives in somewhat unlucky circumstances. I adore the way Zusak writes (it's funny, reels you in and doesn't let you go). The fact that I only read 'The Book Thief' (which I absolutely loved) from his work, made that I had to adjust to a more light hearted funny writing style but that was only a matter of minutes. I wished the mystery was a bigger part of the story but in hindsight I realise that that's not the point.. As I read it I saw it all being played out like a teen movie. I know Ed's physique isn't described like it, but I couldn't stop imagining him as an Asa Butterfield character.
The descriptive way of writing without it being too much is something Zusak masters. I think you either love or hate his work. He writes in a way that you just know a lesson can be taken away from this; for me it was opening your eyes to your environment and really see others around you. Do good and good will come for you! (I love that message. It's a good thing to live by, and I even have a tattoo dedicated to it to remind me everyday)