Day 7: Most Underrated Book You've Read. Oh boy. I really had to think about this. I could choose a lot of books for the answer to this prompt but I think I'll go with...
Say What?! (sorry, 90's flashback) Yes, I Am The Messenger and let me tell you why. Sit down and hold on! A lot of book lovers out there have read one, only one, Markus Zusak book: The book Thief. Now while that's a great book, and don't get me wrong, I love it, it's a great book, it's not the best book ever or even the best book Zusak has written. Sure, sure, it's about WWII and is narrated by death. So what?! Yeah, I said it. So What?! I Am The Messenger is pure brilliance! It's about a normal Joe Shmoe like you and me who's called upon to do extraordinary things. And does he shrug them off? Does he look at one situation that seems less important than another and pick and choose what to do? Which task is worthy of him? No! He does each and every one to the best of his abilities and it's beautiful to watch. And the ending? People, if I hear one more person bash it I'm going to scream! Don't you get it? Don't you see the genius? Ugh! I could analyze the beauty of it but I guess if you don't get it, you don't deserve to get it.
Sorry, that was harsh. I just love this book so much and hate to see people call it mediocre next to The Book Thief. I even have this theory that the reason Markus has yet to grace us with another book is because even he has fallen victim to the greatness of The Book Thief. He thinks he can never top it. Honey, It wasn't even your best book. Let it go and give us more of your real books!
Zusak is for sure a phenomenal author. I have to be honest though, this one was a DNF for me. I don't have any real objections to it, I just got bored. Don't hate me! Would you say it gets better as you read? If so, maybe I'll give it another shot someday, and just start on page 60 where I left off.
ReplyDeleteI'm not mad. I was going to say if you weren't liking it than don't worry about finishing it but if you were only in 60 pages you might consider giving it another go.
DeleteI haven't read this one yet. It's on my TBR and I even own the book. I just haven't taken the time to read it. Maybe we should do a read-along? That would be fun!
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun!
DeleteI actually prefer I Am the Messenger too! It's so clever and humorous, and the ending it really something special.
ReplyDeleteRight? I love it!
DeleteThe second this post with all my heart! Please MK... you can write books! Please. Don't let The Book Thief freeze you up!!! You've this! FIGHTING! And yes the end... chills...
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's funny how much we're the same on this one.
DeleteI still haven't read The Book Thief in its entirety, soooo... I don't know what my issue is.
ReplyDeleteThe Book Thief is a slower book. I loved it but struggled to get through it. I Am The Messenger is a much easier, quicker read.
DeleteI have this on my TBR shelf, and obviously I need to read it sooner rather than later. ;) (And yes, I have read The Book Thief...)
ReplyDeleteAll those TBR books. Don't feel bad. I have a million too.
DeleteI'm one of those who has only read THE BOOK THIEF. Shame on me. Especially since I AM THE MESSENGER has been sitting on my bookshelf for YEARS. Maybe it's time I dusted it off, eh?
ReplyDeleteYes, it's time.
DeleteI’m guilty of reading only The Book Thief. I’ve wanted to read some of his other books, but haven’t got around to it yet. Why aren’t there more hours in a day? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI know, right? We need more time!
DeleteNot only have I not read The Book Thief, I've never heard of I Am The Messenger. Please don't hate me! But now I'm intrigued so need to see if my library has a copy. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteOh, you have to find and read it!
Delete