tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post6524018632993169104..comments2023-12-26T09:58:45.306-06:00Comments on Writer Musings: I Am the Messenger by Markus ZusakTabithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-48638822909772300162020-08-23T19:14:42.891-05:002020-08-23T19:14:42.891-05:00Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather...Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather than saying that it was definitely him at the end of the book, he never says that. It's up for your own determination. Some people think it's Ed's own subconscious, others think it's a god or the god. It's really open ended and up for interpretation. Although I still didn't like the ending, it's harsh to say that the ending was a slap in the face because it was Markus who did everything in the book.<br />:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01066310843985676485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-59702809194851608872020-08-23T19:14:41.611-05:002020-08-23T19:14:41.611-05:00Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather...Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather than saying that it was definitely him at the end of the book, he never says that. It's up for your own determination. Some people think it's Ed's own subconscious, others think it's a god or the god. It's really open ended and up for interpretation. Although I still didn't like the ending, it's harsh to say that the ending was a slap in the face because it was Markus who did everything in the book.<br />:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01066310843985676485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-48896941055991882332020-08-23T19:14:38.428-05:002020-08-23T19:14:38.428-05:00Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather...Markus leaves the ending up for discussion. Rather than saying that it was definitely him at the end of the book, he never says that. It's up for your own determination. Some people think it's Ed's own subconscious, others think it's a god or the god. It's really open ended and up for interpretation. Although I still didn't like the ending, it's harsh to say that the ending was a slap in the face because it was Markus who did everything in the book.<br />:)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01066310843985676485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-73515190033703400602016-01-15T06:05:04.313-06:002016-01-15T06:05:04.313-06:00I actually loved the book it was amazing for me bu...I actually loved the book it was amazing for me but yeah I guess I can see how zusak could have ruined the book for some people saying the obvious, although i didn't know that he actually told the man to rape his wife. Besides the man behind the cards is actually the author part I actually liked the I am the message part. At first I didn't get it at all with it being so philosophical and all but I really enjoyed how it made me think and how since the book was so good I needed to know how it ended. I personally thought that the I am the message meant that he was the message to himself and to all the other people that he needed to hear. Not just all the things he did for them but also the knowledge that if a man as ordinary as ed Kennedy could make lives just a little or a lot brighter was amazing. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would definitely recommend it to my friendsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13684572496342800542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-43968015167666208462013-03-10T13:20:21.792-05:002013-03-10T13:20:21.792-05:00i am 15 just got done reading the book and i loved...i am 15 just got done reading the book and i loved it great story but some parts were a little unclear but other than that would recommend to people looking for a good book<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15866252838398764085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-83531821783293103862011-05-15T23:02:46.453-05:002011-05-15T23:02:46.453-05:00Yep, I basically had those thoughts, and I'm a...Yep, I basically had those thoughts, and I'm an adult. :) I think it's easy for writers to forget how smart your readers truly are. We worry that what we're saying won't be caught, and then try too hard to clarify. It's extremely annoying. :)<br /><br />There are some other books with twist endings that I never saw coming, and ended up loving them:<br />Invisible by Pete Hautman<br />Inexcusable by Chris Lynch<br />Tangerine by Edward BloorTabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-70500001708533289982011-05-13T22:59:35.637-05:002011-05-13T22:59:35.637-05:00I completely agree with what you're saying. I ...I completely agree with what you're saying. I am a young adult and I find that the ending in "I am the Messenger" left me thinking, "Does he really think that I'm a baby or something?!" I mean, seriously. It's like having to explain a joke to someone, which completely takes the funniness out of it. The same thing applies here; Zusak having to come out and explain the whole thing is ridiculous and overall disgracing to me as a young adult reader.Vonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17701917208787843322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-32981212490463334352010-05-27T17:39:00.858-05:002010-05-27T17:39:00.858-05:00LOL!! Um...did you read my review? I state that ...LOL!! Um...did you read my review? I state that the messenger is the author, shortly after the spoiler warning. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-74011553711623621692010-05-27T17:34:24.239-05:002010-05-27T17:34:24.239-05:00you people are dumb. the author is the messenger. ...you people are dumb. the author is the messenger. at the end of the book ed describes the guy in his living room. LOOK AT THE PIC O THE AUTHOR IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK. dark hair, jeans, athletic shoes,...FOLDERRRR. yah. and ed says "maybe i should write about all this but i bet SOMEONE HAS BEAT ME TO IT" HMMMM????????? obviously.Cheesemonkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07126444211045691249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-389775472628773622009-05-03T03:29:00.000-05:002009-05-03T03:29:00.000-05:00It was good although the ending was rubbish. Bit o...It was good although the ending was rubbish. Bit of a waste of timeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-20770231791095214642008-10-31T09:43:00.000-05:002008-10-31T09:43:00.000-05:00CJ - right there with ya. :) I prefer an "AH HA"...CJ - right there with ya. :) I prefer an "AH HA" to nearly throwing a book. Not very fun. :)<BR/><BR/>Jenn - interesting analogy. Yeah, I think that could fit. For me, though, it still doesn't work...mostly because he spent so much time telling us what he'd already shown us. Plus, I'm not sure God would be so forthcoming. :) He tends to work in mysterious, sometimes frustrating, ways. If someone tells you the lesson, it has less impact than if you figure it out for yourself. Ya know? :) <BR/><BR/>Mary - if he'd just stepped in all mysterious-like, said "It was me," and then walked away, I think it could have worked. But the more he talked, the more frustrated I got. And I just wanted the story to end already. :) If you can get your hands on a copy, I hope you'll let us know what you think of it!<BR/><BR/>Jacqui - I don't know why my reaction was so violent. I'm not a violent person at all, really. Maybe I was just having a bad day and took it out on the book. :)<BR/><BR/>I agree about the domestic violence situation. This was my first clue that something else was going on, because I didn't believe the husband/father would really submit like that. And I completely agree regarding the children doing something equally stupid...not good.Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-90882130589446123032008-10-31T08:42:00.000-05:002008-10-31T08:42:00.000-05:00I thought this book was fascinating and, like The ...I thought this book was fascinating and, like The Book Thief, a totally new idea. But I was a little disappointed in the end as well, though not violently.<BR/><BR/>I did have a massive negative reaction to the depiction of domestic violence and the way the main character handled it. It would be one of the absolute worst things to do in most real life abuse situations and could add to the guilt children in those situations already feel or give them the idea to do something similarly stupid.Jacquihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277260387578439327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-14710872029080075592008-10-31T07:49:00.000-05:002008-10-31T07:49:00.000-05:00Now that I've read your review, I'm trying to pict...Now that I've read your review, I'm trying to picture how it might be possible to get away with something like this, and I have to say I can't imagine it. But I want to read the book anyway. Just wish I had the time...Mary Witzlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06458299046574564155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-23631103766864651362008-10-30T17:46:00.000-05:002008-10-30T17:46:00.000-05:00I haven't read this book, but here's an analogy th...I haven't read this book, but here's an analogy that occurred to me immediately:<BR/>Imagine a person asking why God allowed this or that bad thing to happen to him, and why did his life go this way instead of that ... <BR/>and God actually shows up and explains it.<BR/>You know, God:people as writer:characters?<BR/>Was that was Zusak was going for?<BR/><BR/>--Jenn HubbardJennifer R. Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03408588432492354248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-3967436168067167742008-10-30T14:16:00.000-05:002008-10-30T14:16:00.000-05:00Uh... wow! If there's anything I dislike in a nove...Uh... wow! If there's anything I dislike in a novel it would have to be a violent reaction! Tee! Hee! I think lessons in literature should be subtle. Personally, I like the "AH! HA!" moments.<BR/><BR/>I've had every (good) intention of reading The Book Thief, but haven't as of yet. Maybe I'll give this one a try, barring any negative internal response. ;-)C.J. Raymerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14048899669852154500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-36005837135114976452008-10-30T12:07:00.000-05:002008-10-30T12:07:00.000-05:00Carrie - I hope you'll share your view once you re...Carrie - I hope you'll share your view once you read it. I'm curious if I just didn't get it, or if my reaction is shared... :)<BR/><BR/>Bish - yeah, I loved the book until the end. He could have had the same kind of ending, but not been so heavy-handed about it. Then I still would have liked it. But as it is... :(<BR/><BR/>Kelly - there's some great writing in this book, and great character development, too. I really liked the dog. :) It's just, for me, the ending ruined it. :(<BR/><BR/>Christy - if you're the kind where the wrong ending will ruin the entire experience for you, then skip it. But if you can still get enjoyment even if the ending doesn't work, then it's still a good read. The whole book is amazing...except for the end. :)<BR/><BR/>Beth - definitely share your thoughts once you read it! I'd love to know if I just missed something... :)<BR/><BR/>PJ - you betcha. I just picked up the sequel to I'd Tell You I Love You... and am expecting to laugh. A lot. :)<BR/><BR/>GWG - LOL!! Yeah, so can I. :) I guess that's why I liked the dog. :)Tabithahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420910182752981979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-3712402887459226572008-10-30T09:36:00.000-05:002008-10-30T09:36:00.000-05:00Thank is a violent reaction! I haven't read it at ...Thank is a violent reaction! I haven't read it at all (I'm halfway through Book Thief - eternally - need to finish it).<BR/>Read something fun next!PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-6107811474931647782008-10-30T09:29:00.000-05:002008-10-30T09:29:00.000-05:00I haven't read I am the Messenger, but plan to...I...I haven't read I am the Messenger, but plan to...I thought the Book Theif was one of the most brilliant books ever written.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-82869540309771998712008-10-30T08:21:00.000-05:002008-10-30T08:21:00.000-05:00hmmmmm. . . I've never read it, but sounds like so...hmmmmm. . . I've never read it, but sounds like something that isn't worth the time. Thanks for the heads up! <BR/><BR/>ChristyC.R. Evershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034891037873664976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-63703181429630900202008-10-30T08:15:00.000-05:002008-10-30T08:15:00.000-05:00I haven't read it, but it sounds like this is one ...I haven't read it, but it sounds like this is one I could skip! I do think a coffee addicted dog is an interesting aspect of the character!Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-38764149943326514672008-10-30T07:25:00.000-05:002008-10-30T07:25:00.000-05:00I read this book and liked it except something bot...I read this book and liked it except something bothered me about the ending. It seemed like maybe Zusak couldn't figure out who the instigator needed to be and it was getting near the end and he had to picked someone....Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401296522737471037.post-12981231606535105412008-10-30T06:59:00.000-05:002008-10-30T06:59:00.000-05:00No clue, but now I've got to read it just to see w...No clue, but now I've got to read it just to see what happens.Carrie Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14893023777471521703noreply@blogger.com