I Am The Messenger, The Call, Lamb, The Lifeboat and The Sugar Queen
by Jenners • 08/30/2012 • 3 Stars, 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, A Authors, C Titles, Contemporary, Fiction, Historical, I Titles, L Titles, Literary, M Authors, N Authors, R Authors, S Titles, Young Adult, Z Authors • 72 Comments
Ack! I’ve been letting my blog slide into oblivion again as I do volunteer stuff for the PTO. Luckily, I have some super-mini-reviews ready to go.
I Am The Messenger by Marcus Zusak
Where I Got It: Paperback Swap
Genre: Fiction, YA, Contemporary
My Rating: 3 stars
After falling in love with Zusak’s masterpiece, The Book Thief, I wanted to read more by him. However, this book was a real disappointment. The writing felt flat, and I just couldn’t buy into the premise (a young guy gets playing cards in the mail that identify people he needs to help). The book just didn’t work for me, and it was a bit of chore to finish it. I’m guessing this is an earlier book than The Book Thief, but it feels like it was written by a totally different author. It wasn’t a BAD book, but I guess I was so disappointed after the high of The Book Thief that this felt really low.
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Where I Got It: Bought it from Amazon
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
My Rating: 4 stars
Written as entries from a rural veterinarian’s call sheet, The Call is a pleasing and odd little book that had a lovely sly sense of humor that pleased me. I was surprised how the author managed to tell the story (which involves a hunting accident and the vet’s son) and convey the details of one family’s life with such convincing warmth, humor and goodwill. I also felt it told the story of a marriage that felt real and lived-in—something you don’t often come across. Make time for it.
Lamb by Bonnie Nadzam
Where I Got It: Bought it from Amazon
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Ti was responsible for me reading this book and man … what a strange story this is! I felt vaguely uncomfortable while reading it—like I was privy to a crime or something. The story involves an older man (David Lamb) and the trip he takes with an 11-year-old girl named Tommie that he happens to meet in his town. Throughout the story, I had a sense of sickening dread, and Nadzam does a good job of making things feel very murky about what is OK and what isn’t OK. Definitely disturbing but compelling at the same time. I suspect it isn’t a book that everyone will want to read though.
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
Where I Got It: Bought It
Genre: Fiction, Literary, Historical
My Rating: 3.5 stars
I was really pumped up to read this book after reading several gushing and amazing reviews of it in magazines, and it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. This is NOT really a book about surviving at sea in a lifeboat (although that is the exact situation that our narrator, 22-year-old newlywed Grace Winter, finds herself in after the ship she is sailing on with her new husband sinks). Instead, the book is about our very unreliable narrator and trying to figure out the truth of who Grace Winter really is and what role she played in what happened on the lifeboat. (She is on trial when the books starts so we know that SOMETHING happened.) I expected to be blown away by this book, but I wasn’t. If you’re thinking this is a survival book, it isn’t. It is really a psychological thriller masquerading as a survival book. The 1914 setting may appeal to some (these are proper ladies in full dress after all), but I suspect it may end up disappointing you as much as it did me. Still, I was interested in the character of Grace and figuring out the truth of her situation. You’ll want to have someone to discuss it with afterward though and I stand ready to answer your e-mails. : )
The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Where I Got It: Paperback Swap
Genre: Fiction, Literary
My Rating: 4 stars
This is magical realism done really well—the way Alice Hoffman used to write in her earlier books. Josey Cirrini is a lonely isolated girl (daughter of the richest man in town … now deceased) who has a complicated relationship with her mother and an unrequited love for the mailman. But when the town’s “loose woman,” Della Lee Baker, enters Josey’s life, things start to happen—and Josey’s world opens up in a way it never did before. I’ve seen many bloggers rave about this author, and now I understand why. It is really hard to pull off magical realism and make it work but Addison Allen has the perfect touch. This was a lovely little book, and I look forward to exploring more by this author.
Loved The Sugar Queen! I’ve read all of Addison Allen’s books and don’t believe a one of them have been disappointing.
I always enjoy your mini-reviews – gives me a quick once-over about whether or not I should look into the book. Usually our tastes are similar and you haven’t steered me wrong so far
I had the same reaction to The Messenger as well – I wasn’t even able to finish the book I was that disinterested. Glad it wasn’t just me!
So glad to hear The Messenger left you cold as well. I kept reading thinking that it might get better but it never did. And I was so happy to find Addison Allen to be so enjoyable. I think I’ll need to read one of her books after all my RIP books to get the scariness out of my brain!
Oh I’m adding The Sugar Queen to my weekly library run list! Thanks Jenners
It is a sweet sweet book. And I’ve heard the rest of her books are just as wonderful. I can’t believe you are taking the time to comment on so many of my posts. Please don’t feel obligated!!!!
I was having problems leaving comments on your posts a few days ago. Sorry I’m late. I liked The Sugar Queen, but loved Garden Spells. I think the Lifeboat looks interesting.
I’m sorry … I’m going to have to assess you a late fine for not commenting on a post immediately. Jeez … you act like you have a life and possibly a baby or something!!
You need to quick run out and buy all of Addison Allen’s other books and read them. Except then you’ll be like me…impatiently awaiting her next release.
I’m going to try and dole them out a bit at a time. I’m already depressed I’m all out of new Tana French books already.
I liked the THE CALL (and so did Mr. BFR). I had avoided I AM THE MESSENGER and it looks like I made the right decision there. I really like THE LIFEBOAT, but I can totally understand why it might not be a hit with a lot a readers. I started LAMB but never finished — no reason, I just kind of forgot about it when I got busy with work.
You did make the right call on The Messenger. I was so disappointed. And I did kind of sort of like The Lifeboat but it was so different than what I was expecting.
You’ve confirmed exactly why I don’t want to read I Am the Messenger.
Yeah … it was a real let down. I know I was hoping for another Book Thief and that just isn’t going to happen.
You are so right about Lamb. It creeped me out but I found myself liking it at the same time. I have The Call on my TBR list. Will get to it eventually.
I know!! I felt kind of dirty and bad reading it … but I kept on, wanting to see what happened. It would make a good RIP book I think.
The Lifeboat, based on your description, reminds me of Life of Pi. I have heard similar issues with I Am the Messenger. I guess I will be skipping that one. Others also seem to have been charmed by The Call. I’m definitely curious now.
Let me tell you, The Lifeboat is nothing like the Life of Pi. I certainly didn’t mean to give that impression, but I can now see how you might think that.
Good to know. I’m certain nothing can compare with Life of Pi.
I think I’d really enjoy the Sugar Queen, I enjoyed several of her books. This would make a great addition. Love the snippet reviews.
I love the snippet reviews too. They are quite popular and SO much easier to write. The Sugar Queen was just a delight. And I think she has a few more books if you like her style.
The title of this post threw me for a second – Wasn’t seeing them as book titles, but rather one sentence about what had been going on in your life.
The Call sounds interesting – I’ll watch for it. I may also mark The Lifeboat off my list. I’ve seen so many raves, but not by an actual reader I know and trust.
Glad you discovered Sarah Addison Allen – she is in my top 5 authors. Love everything she writes.
I could imagine you trying to piece together what I could be writing about!! Too funny. And I got The Lifeboat before anyone I knew and trusted reviewed it too. I don’t think I’d be so quick to jump next time.
The Call sounds super awesome and I need to read it right now. I love books about or by vets and or animals.
Lamb sounds very intriguing!
The Sugar Queen has been on my TBR forever!
Keep in mind that The Call is much more about the family life and stuff than being a vet … though that does a play a role as well obviously. And The Sugar Queen was on my list forever too and I finally broke down and read it. I’m so glad I did!
Have you ever thought of taking your mini reviews on the road?? Like putting them on cereal boxes or at the kiosk in the airport before some of us make some bad book decisions?? You’re a whiz at this stuff. Girl, have you ever considered a job in advertising? It must be in your blood! You do a great job at these. I’m also glad to hear your honest words about a few of these, it makes me feel that I’m not alone. You just say it ten times better! Now back to my book…Gone Girl, here I come. Happy Labor Day.
I’m impressed you were able to take a break from Gone Girl to read anything!! Glad these short reviews work for you because more are coming — I am so behind that if I wrote long reviews, nothing would ever get done.
Great mini reviews. I’ve heard good things about Marcus Zusak, too bad that one was a letdown.
Don’t let this stop you from reading Zusak’s The Book Thief — because THAT is a 5 star read!
That’s disappointed about I Am the Messenger. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a dud. Maybe I’ll skip it and just re-read The Book Thief.
I know!! I so wanted to love it. It was hard to figure out if I would have liked it more if I had read it before The Book Thief.
I have to tell you, I really admire how good you are at writing book reviews. I have been reading more and so am trying to keep my goodreader feed up to date and I have the hardest time writing reviews! I usually end up mostly saying how I felt but very little about what the story is about as I don’t know what to say without giving it away. You do such a great job!
Thanks so much. It is a skill that you learn after writing a ton of them. I wasn’t very good when I first started writing reviews. (And there are days when I don’t think I’m any good at all.)
The Sugar Queen sounds wonderful! I really liked I Am the Messenger. Enjoy your weekend!
I’m glad you liked I Am The Messenger. I just couldn’t feel it … I think my expectations were so high because of my love of The Book Thief.
They all sound good to me, with the exception of Lamb. That sounds like a tough read.
It was a tough read. Creepy and offputting. Definitely not for everyone.
I loved The Sugar Queen, so I was happy to see that you liked it too. I know I’ve seen The Call elsewhere and thought it looked interesting. I’m going to add it to my wish list now.
I’m excited to read more of Sarah Addison Allen. And my copy of the The Call is yours. Just e-mail me your address (again … I never save them.)
You make me want to read at least three of these, only I’m still trying my best NOT to buy new books and read only from the massive stacks filling my bookcases (and Kindle). Currently I’m 3/4 of the way through Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand – another one that’s been languishing on my shelf for 25 or 30 years! Still….I’m gonna have to put some of these on my wish list…..
I’ve never read Atlas Shrugged. It scares me. And I have no real sense of what it is about!
The only one I’ve read is The Sugar Queen. I’m a big fan of Sarah Addison Allen. I started with her first: Garden Spells and read the rest as they were published – really the first Magical Realism books I truly enjoyed.
She really does magic realism right … and that is a hard genre to get down I think.
So disappointing that you found I Am The Messenger such a disappointment. I also loved The Book Thief and have had this one on my wish list for a while now but after having read a few bloggers write its a bit of a let-down I’m considering seeing if our library has a copy instead of buying it.
Loving the sound of The Sugar Queen, The Call also quite appeals though to be honest I’m generally I’m not a fan of the format in which it is written.
As always great reviews, thanks.
I would definitely try to borrow I Am The Messenger instead of buying it. It really didn’t work for me, although that might not be the case for you. Still, it just isn’t anywhere on the level of The Book Thief.
What you said about The Lamb is exactly how I was feeling as you described the story’s plot. I just don’t know if I could read it!
Yeah … it is a creepy read. Definitely not “light summer reading.”
I really like your mini reviews and you could do more of them as far as I am concerned.
Good to hear! They are easier for me to write and people seem to like them better than really long reviews.
Just for the record, I’m amazed at people who don’t finish books they believe they don’t like. Sometimes you miss out on some good ones that take a turn that way, and always I need to see how the author finished it so I don’t end up finishing it over and over in my head.
Sugar Queen is going on my list. I agree about I Am the Messenger.
I really am not good at quitting a book I’m not liking. I guess I’m an optimist — I think there is always a chance it could get better. The only books I quit on are ones I just feel like I’m going to hate from the very first page or so. Glad to hear I’m not alone in being disappointed in I Am The Messenger.
The Call sounds good!! Gonna look that one up!!
It was — it has a very unique feel to it and a sense of humor that just tickled me.
I think I’d like to read the Sugar Queen! Also, I like your mini reviews.. It’s amazing how you’ve managed to sum up the essence of these books so concisely!
The Sugar Queen is just a really satisfying read that won’t leave you upset or depressed — sometimes you need a read like that. And considering that I tend to be wordy, I’m surprised I can pull of these super mini reviews at all.
Gosh, I wish I could distill my thoughts about a book down like that, right to the point. My mind wanders…..
It is actually out of character for me but that is what 30+ reviews waiting to be written can do for you: make you get to the point.
I do want to try Lamb and Lifeboat and have both. Have a nice long weekend Jenners.
I’d be VERY interested in hearing what you think of both of those books! Enjoy your long weekend too — the end of summer is nigh!
It looks like they were all decent reads. I really need to get to The Call soon.
The Call stood out for me the most of all the books I think. It was just different but immensely appealing.
I was expecting The Lifeboat to be a survival story too. I was equally disappointed. Congratulations on reading so much – I’ve managed to abandon the blog and the books this month. Hopefully we’ll get back on track next month.
Glad to hear I wasn’t alone in being disappointed in The Lifeboat. I was just expecting something very very different — and hoping for something different too. And I think once school is in full swing, we’ll both get our lives back. (I hope so!)
I keep hearing about The Book Thief but haven’t seen it anywhere here. The idea of buying a Kindle sounds more appealing by the day.
I’ve missed your posts, glad you’re back.
Oh it is worth seeking out … or purchasing a Kindle for!
I second Vikki’s thought!
I think I might have to try the Sugar Queen…
Reading is like breathing — I HAVE to do it!
How the hell do you have the time to read so much when I can even find the time to pee???
Actually combining your pee time and your reading time might be a good choice. For me, reading is a necessity — like breathing (or peeing).
these all sound sort of good. You are broadening my reading horizon. The Jay Asher book, THE FUTURE OF US, excellent!
Ooohhh..I’ve been wanting to try that one. The premise sounds so good!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Sugar Queen, and wish I was a sandwich artist. Haven’t read the others you mention, and am amazed you finish books that you don’t care for.
I’ve always been that way. I have a really hard time abandoning books for some reason.
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