I Am the Messenger
Encyclopedia
The Messenger is a 2002
novel by Markus Zusak
, and winner of the 2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award.
The Messenger was released in the United States
under the name I Am the Messenger. The entire story is written through the eyes of the main character, Ed Kennedy, who describes and comments on the story throughout the book.
in the mail. The ace is from an unknown source. On the ace is written a list of addresses and times. These represent a series of tasks that Ed must complete.
His tasks are as follows:
Throughout the book, Ed receives different playing cards in the mail. Each card is a different ace, and each ace contains a series of tasks, often in the form of cryptic clues. On the second to last card, he receives a list with movie titles on it and deciphers the names of his three best friends. From these cards he learns the greatest message of all: That he isn't the messenger, but instead the message.
The last card is a Joker and has his own address written on it. Eventually, the source is discovered to be the bank robber from the beginning of the novel, who is connected, in a roundabout way, to Ed's late father. The bank robber discovers that somebody has been delivering him these messages - and has controlled his life in order to allow him to reach his potential. The man in control of it all killed Ed's father, instructed the man to rape the woman, and organizes his life so that he could show everyone that if an ordinary person like him could accomplish this much, then everyone could. It ends with the realization that Ed is not the messenger, he is the message.
If the reader pays close attention to the original source of the cards and picture of Markus Zusak at the end of the book, they may notice the picture matches Ed's description of the source. It is a possibility that the author, Markus Zusak, is the man who sent all the messages. The fact that the man has a folder with a written account of everything that happened also further verifies this suspicion.
simple- three addresses written in pen followed by a time.
2. Ace of Clubs
a riddle- you must first find your "stones of home" in order find out who the next messages are.
3. Ace of Spades
A Puzzle- Who are these people? find out and your answer will lie in the pages of a book.
4. Ace of Hearts
"Puzzle"-All of these are titles. The names of the next messages are in the fine print.
5. The Joker
"Simple"
In 2011 the novel was adapted again for the stage by Curtin's Hayman Theatre Company and performed at the Subiaco Arts Centre in Perth, Western Australia.
2002 in literature
The year 2002 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*March 16: Authorities in Saudi Arabia arrested and jailed poet Abdul Mohsen Musalam and fired a newspaper editor following the publication of Musalam's poem The Corrupt on Earth that criticized the state's Islamic...
novel by Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak
Markus Zusak is an Australian author. He is best known for his books The Book Thief and The Messenger , which have been international bestsellers.- Career :...
, and winner of the 2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award.
The Messenger was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
under the name I Am the Messenger. The entire story is written through the eyes of the main character, Ed Kennedy, who describes and comments on the story throughout the book.
Plot summary
The story begins with an introduction to the character of Ed Kennedy, a down-and-out underage taxi driver who is hopelessly in love with his best friend Audrey, who, to his dismay, feels that she cares about him too much to date him. Ed is standing in a bank queue when a robbery takes place. He accidentally foils the robbers' escape, and is proclaimed a hero. Shortly after, he receives an aceAce
An ace is a playing card. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the case of the Ace of Spades...
in the mail. The ace is from an unknown source. On the ace is written a list of addresses and times. These represent a series of tasks that Ed must complete.
His tasks are as follows:
- He must save a woman who is raped by her husband every night.
- He must comfort a lonely old lady.
- He must show a teenage girl how to take control of her life and become more confident.
Throughout the book, Ed receives different playing cards in the mail. Each card is a different ace, and each ace contains a series of tasks, often in the form of cryptic clues. On the second to last card, he receives a list with movie titles on it and deciphers the names of his three best friends. From these cards he learns the greatest message of all: That he isn't the messenger, but instead the message.
The last card is a Joker and has his own address written on it. Eventually, the source is discovered to be the bank robber from the beginning of the novel, who is connected, in a roundabout way, to Ed's late father. The bank robber discovers that somebody has been delivering him these messages - and has controlled his life in order to allow him to reach his potential. The man in control of it all killed Ed's father, instructed the man to rape the woman, and organizes his life so that he could show everyone that if an ordinary person like him could accomplish this much, then everyone could. It ends with the realization that Ed is not the messenger, he is the message.
If the reader pays close attention to the original source of the cards and picture of Markus Zusak at the end of the book, they may notice the picture matches Ed's description of the source. It is a possibility that the author, Markus Zusak, is the man who sent all the messages. The fact that the man has a folder with a written account of everything that happened also further verifies this suspicion.
The Cards
1. The Ace of Diamondssimple- three addresses written in pen followed by a time.
- 45 Edgar Street, midnight
- 13 Harrison Avenue, 6pm
- 6 Macedoni Street, 5:30 am
2. Ace of Clubs
- Say a prayer at the stones of home
a riddle- you must first find your "stones of home" in order find out who the next messages are.
3. Ace of Spades
- Graham Greene
- Morris West
- Sylvia Plath
A Puzzle- Who are these people? find out and your answer will lie in the pages of a book.
4. Ace of Hearts
- The Suitcase
- Cat Ballou
- Roman Holiday
"Puzzle"-All of these are titles. The names of the next messages are in the fine print.
5. The Joker
- 26 Shipping Street
"Simple"
Stage adaptation
In 2008 the novel was adapted for the stage by Ross Mueller. It was first performed by The Canberra Youth Theatre on 24 November 2008.In 2011 the novel was adapted again for the stage by Curtin's Hayman Theatre Company and performed at the Subiaco Arts Centre in Perth, Western Australia.
Awards
- 2007 Deutscher JugendliteraturpreisDeutscher JugendliteraturpreisThe Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis is an annual award established in 1956 by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to recognise outstanding works of children's literature. It is Germany's only state-funded literary award. In the past, authors from many countries...
- 2006 Michael L. Printz AwardMichael L. Printz AwardThe Michael L. Printz Award is an annual award in the United States for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a school librarian from Topeka, Kansas, who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association...
Honor book - 2006 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
- 2005 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year-Children
- 2003 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award
- 2003 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature