Oh. So THAT'S what everyone was talking about. This is another example of me missing out on a fantastic book due to my extremely annoying occasional avoidance of Books With Buzz. The more I'm told to read something, the more stubborn I get. And so then, years later, I read the darn book, and I kick myself. I am SO dumb.
On to the book.
My full name's Ed Kennedy. I'm nineteen. I'm an underage cabdriver. I'm typical of many of the young men you see in this suburban outpost of the city—not a whole lot of prospects or possibility. That aside, I read far more books than I should, and I'm decidedly crap at sex and doing my taxes. Nice to meet you.
He lives alone with his beloved (and extremely smelly) seventeen-year-old coffee-loving Rottweiler mix, the Doorman*. Ed works, Ed walks, Ed reads, Ed plays cards with his three best friends, Ed obsesses about being in love with one of his best friends. That's about it. Not so much in the way of drive or meaning.
One day, he happens to be in a bank while it's being robbed**. Due to dumb luck, he also happens to prevent the criminal's escape and ends up in the local newspapers, a hero.
A day later, the first ace arrives in the mail. On it is written:
45 Edgar Street, midnight
13 Harrison Avenue, 6 p.m.
6 Macedoni Street, 5:30 a.m.
Ed becomes the messenger.
I don't want to get into it much more here because:
A) Ed's voice is so fantastic that I won't be able to do him justice and
B) you should experience his journey through him, not me.
Just know that it's sweet and violent and tragic and hilarious.
Highly, highly recommended. It's one that I know I'll re-read.
It's a good one for any voracious (and mature) teen reader, especially those drawn to mysteries. I'll be handing this one out to adult readers as well.
____________________________________________
*Don't worry. This book, thank goodness, is one of the few exceptions to Gordon Korman's rule. Though there is a big shiny medal on the front cover, the dog doesn't die.
**Easily the funniest bank robbery scene I've ever read.
I have that exact same kind of stubbornness!!! This is one I bought for a friend for Christmas and can't wait until she is finished so that I can borrow it from her!
Posted by: Carl V. | 04 January 2007 at 12:33 PM
SO GOOD. I really loved it -- finished the write-up and immediately handed the copy off to a friend without even asking if she needed another book.
Posted by: Leila | 04 January 2007 at 01:23 PM
I actually liked this book better than The Book Thief, which I think is a much more traditional book. I did think the ending of I Am The Messenger was a big disappointment. But, otherwise, a great book.
Posted by: Gail | 04 January 2007 at 08:23 PM
This was my first book of 2007 and I adored it too. Stayed up till 2am New Years' Day to finish it. I agree with Gail about the ending, but how else could it have been done? Can't wait to read The Book Thief now.
Posted by: Lazy Cow | 04 January 2007 at 09:40 PM
Nothing wrong with avoiding hyped books I think. In two years, if people still remember the book, you can always go back and read it then. Saves you the time you would have spent reading the over-hyped chunksters. :)
Posted by: Sara | 04 January 2007 at 10:26 PM
Thanks, Sara.
I had problems with the ending, too, guys. It was too... Pay It Forward-y. Not anywhere near as bad as that amazingly crap movie, of course, but it rubbed me the wrong way. It seemed both like a copout AND kind of preachy. I don't know how else it could have been done, either, though.
But my love for the book is undiminished. I'll be using it for the next session of my teen book group. I'm curious to see how they'll respond.
Posted by: Leila | 05 January 2007 at 06:35 AM
I'm in the "great book until the last chapter" camp.
I have decided to ignore the last chapter.
Did anyone see his Printz speech on video? Very funny, including fans yelling at him "what's the deal with the last chapter??"
Posted by: Liz B | 06 January 2007 at 09:48 PM
This is definitely my favorite book ever. I'm rereading it for the second time right now and it's just as entertaining as the first time. There isn't one thing that I don't love about it. It is so well written with humor and angst in exactly the right places. I just wish that there were more books out there like this one.
Posted by: Lizzie | 11 January 2007 at 09:01 PM
this was a really good book with twists and turns. At times my heart was hammering at my chest. Some people dont realise the little twist at the end about who was behind all the messenges. Dont forget to look at the very last page at the picture
Posted by: flee | 15 March 2007 at 06:10 AM