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Ed Kennedy, from I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, is an underage cab driver with no prospects. He’s the very picture of your average young man. But someone has chosen him to carry out some tasks that require him to be anything but average. He has been chosen to make a difference in the lives of some complete strangers.
Ed starts really noticing what’s going on around him, and acting to fix what he can. How hard is it for most of us, wrapped up in own our thoughts, dreams, and worries, to notice what’s going on around us?
He has a small group of under-achieving but loyal friends. They get together and play cards at night. They play soccer together. They get into fights together. They are practically family. They are hysterical.
One of his friends is a girl named Audrey. Ed wishes that she was more than a friend. He has it bad for her. I don’t mean in a “You’re so beautiful, let’s have sex” kind of way. He loves her with all that he is and all that he could be. She has been hurt and she’s not looking for that kind of relationship. They’re both afraid of messing up their friendship.
Ed develops into a bit of a philosopher. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes
“It’s not a big thing, but I guess it’s true–big things are often just small things that are noticed.”
“Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are.”
They make you think, don’t they?
He also has a very choppy style that I keep unconsciously imitating. Ack!
I know that Ed was funny and smart enough and loyal and brave and a little broken himself. But what really defines him in my mind is the message that he conveys (appropriate for the title, yes?). If Ed, a “loser” in so many worldly ways, can make a difference in people’s lives, why can’t you or I? The answer is that we can. And Ed is challenging us to do just that.
Read about Suey’s connection to Ed over at It’s All About Books.
Who did you connect with this week? Link your post on Mr. Linky, then be sure to go check out the other Character Connections!
Don’t you just love larger-than-life characters? The ones who jump off the page and grab you? Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t be indifferent to them.
I would love to know about the characters who just won’t leave you! Most of you will probably post about how much you love (or loathe) each character, but this is a great place for the more creative ones among you to let go and have fun! Write yourself into a scene with Anne and Diana. Write a love poem in elvish for Aragorn. Draw a picture of Harry obliterating Voldemort. The possibilities are endless.
Be sure to post the book’s title and author, and be very careful not to give away spoilers while talking about how much you love your characters.
Mr. Linky will be posted here on The Introverted Reader every Thursday.
I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s, my local independent bookstore, and Better World Books. I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.
3 Comments
I echo Suey, I love Ed. I am the Messenger is one of my favorite books. I like it even better then The Book Thief.
Oh! He sounds interesting!…as does this book.:D…. Is it better/ as good as The Book Thief?…
One of my favorite characters, as I think you know. Awesome post.