I am the Messenger

 

Well, I just returned from a nice long vacation.  My ideal vacation involves lots of fun outdoor activities and lots of time to just relax and read. Mission accomplished, well almost. I have to admit, I didn't read as much as I wanted to, but I read enough.  I thought I'd start with this book. You see, there seem to be a lot of comments about my being a speed reader and how I get to read so much... hehe.  Truth be told, I do read fast. Each of the books I'll be posting about over the next few days, I read each one of them in a a 24 hour period, well two of them, together, I read in an 8 hour period. Yah, yah, yah...  

The reason I am starting with this book is because when I picked it up from the library, I thought the title looked a little familiar. But I didn't give it a second thought.  I picked it up to read and just had this feeling I recognized the cover and wondered why...but I still started to read.  About half way through the book, I accepted that I indeed did read this book a few of years ago when it first came out. But I couldn't remember any specifics about the story. I did keep reading because though I didn't remember much, I did remembered that I like the story. And I liked it the second time I read it. 

And what's even better? I just realized, because I just looked at the name of the author - it's the same fellow who wrote The Book Thief, one of my favorite books ever. Folks, this screams "READ ME!!!"

I don't watch many movies twice. Besides the BofM, I can't think of many books I've read twice, unless it was for a paper for school.  But I really do like this story. It is a feel good story. The first few pages, maybe chapters have quite a bit of swearing, but then it just fades away mostly - or maybe I stopped noticing. But please don't let that hold you back which is why I mention it. I don't like the TV shows that pick at people's weaknesses (case in point: American Idol auditions - you catch my drift?)  I do love stories about takings one's weaknesses and making them strengths.  The is an awesome story about the growth of one boy - how his life turns around with the help of others and by his helping others.  Think of It's a Wonderful Life.  (It's my favorite movie. It's a movie I can watch over and over.) George Bailey learns that he does matter, that he is important by getting a glance of what life would be like in Bedford Falls if he hadn't been born.  Well, this story is the reverse.  Ed gets a glimpse at what his life could be, what he can mean to others, when he starts helping others. And I like that it didn't end with everything falling into place perfectly. Hope that doesn't spoil anything for you...

I absolutely recommend this book. And I think once I finish this semester of school (I started back today, and I have three classes on top of working full time, so I won't post too many books after I finish posting all these from my trip....) I would like to read the other stories Zusak has written. I'm kind of looking forward to it.

Also, for what it is worth...while I do read quickly, and I do post about many books - heaven knows ladies, I'd give it up for a day in most of your shoes. So I'll take my books for now, but can't wait for the day when something else, or someone else, will be more demanding of my time. Count your many blessings =)

Enjoy

i am the messenger.

So I am just going to come right out and admit that I have not yet read The Book Thief. Don't judge me. It is sitting on my bookshelf just waiting to be cracked open. I had heard nothing but good things about it for like a year, so I bought it. Yes, I am an impulse buyer. Anyway, this book is from the same author, Markus Zusak. And wow, this man can write. I mean seriously, I loved this book. The first chapter had me laughing and I was honestly hooked after the first few pages. Though, I will admit, it said the *S* word quite a lot in the first five chapters. It got annoying. Am I just naive? Are all books written like this now days? Oh well, I started ignoring it and by the time I was about a third of the way through the book, the swearing dropped off dramatically. I don't remember if it ever says this, but I am fairly certain the story takes place in Australia (the author is an Aussie himself, if I'm not mistaken) and so there is a lot of use of the word "arse" and things like that. Again, my mental filter kicked in and it didn't bother me after a little bit.

This book is about nineteen-year-old cab driver Ed Kennedy. He is pretty much an average loser. He has little in life to be proud of: his dad died of alcoholism, and he and his mom have a less than successful relationship. He has little to do except share a run-down apartment with his faithful yet smelly dog, drive his taxi, and play cards and drink with his washed-up friends. Oh, and moon over his best friend, Audrey, who is always in love with someone else. Then, after he inadvertently stops a bank robbery, Ed begins receiving anonymous messages marked in code on playing cards (Aces, one of each suit to be precise) in the mail, and almost immediately his life is turned upside-down. So with nothing to lose, Ed embarks on a series of missions as random as a toss of dice: sometimes daredevil, sometimes heartwarmingly safe. The ease with which he achieves results vacillates between futile and dangerous, and Ed's search for meaning and purpose drives him to complete every task and deliver each and every message. But the biggest mystery of all is who is behind the messages? And how does this person seem to know (and predict) Ed's every move?

If I have one complaint about this book, it is that the ending was confusing and a bit unsatisfying. Satisfyingly unsatisfying, if you will. I don't really know. It's like Zusak couldn't figure out how to end it, so he made something up that kept you wondering, and only tied up a couple loose ends. I never figured out why the person behind it all did what they did. Maybe I need to go back and read the last chapter again. Perhaps you'll have to read it to understand what I mean. But what I loved the most was the transformation that Ed Kennedy made and the willingness he developed to make a difference in others' lives when his so obviously sucked.
If anyone has read it or does read it, I would love to hear another opinion.
I am absolutely obsessed with Zusak's writing style. The way he describes feelings and emotions are unlike anything I have read before. His imagery and metaphoric description is fantastic. I still need to read The Book Thief, but I am nearly confident in saying he might be one of my new favorite authors. Then again, I am easily pleased.This book was thrilling, funny, depressing, mysterious, and full of love.
More than anything, full of love.
This one is definitely a keeper. And probably one I will read again in the future.
I certainly recommend it.  
(Just get past the swearing in the first few chapters and I think it will be worth your time!)