I Am the Messenger

by Markus Zusak

Libby audiobook 9 hours

Read by: Marc Aden Gray

Published: 2002 (this version 2006)

Genre: YA realistic fiction with fantasy elements

Wow. This was both bizarre and incredible. I think I remember getting this for PRMS, based purely on the popularity of The Book Thief. Well this book is NOT really for a typical middle school reader. It isn't just the swearing, violence, drinking, etc. that make it for an older reader; it's the deeply philosophical look at the meaning of life. 

I just googled the author because the book (and the reader's accent) most definitely indicated Australia as the location of the story. Yes. 

Here's Wikipedia's intro to the book: "The protagonist is Ed Kennedy, an uninspired 19-year old Australian taxi driver. Ed laments his mediocre life and strained relationship with his mother, as his father died recently and left Ed with only his dog, the Doorman, but does nothing to improve his situation, instead preferring to continue living alone and playing cards every week with his friends: Ritchie, who is unemployed and generally apathetic about life; Marv, a stingy carpenter; and Audrey, a fellow taxi driver whom Ed is in love with, although she does not reciprocate. After accidentally foiling a robbery he is proclaimed a hero by the public, though the robber leaves him a warning that he sees "a dead man" when he looks at Ed before being taken away by police. One night, he receives a small unmarked envelope, inside of which is an Ace of Diamonds with three addresses and times of day written on them. His friends deny involvement, so Ed investigates the three addresses."

 

 "Beautiful women are the torment of my existence." - Ed, such a genuine, honest character.

Audrey, Marv, Ritchie, . . . Mila, Sophie, so many others . . . why the violence? 

Playing cards - hearts last. Diamonds - 3 addresses. Clubs - names on rocks. (Beatings to start and finish.) Spades - authors / street names / family with Christmas lights. Hearts - friends.

The Doorman! Stinky dog, sweet friend. Conversations! Sharing coffee.

Conversation with his mom. Loss of his dad.

"Sometimes I wish I was a dog." - me, too, Ed. Me, too.