protect the diamonds
survive the clubs
dig deep through the spades
feel the hearts
"Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery.
That's when the first ace arrives in the mail.
That's when Ed becomes the messenger.
Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?" -Back Cover
I decided to read this book because I read The Book Thief by the same author and it quickly became one of my favorites. It was such a moving, beautifully-written book narrated by Death. It made me cry.
I didn't think that this one was nearly as good. I liked the idea of it, although, like Ed, I wondered who was behind the aces. It felt awfully far-fetched to think that someone real could possibly know all those things about all those people in the town and know exactly where and when to send Ed. The ending tried to explain that, but I wasn't particularly crazy about the ending. I did, however, like the message of the book which was this: Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of. Ed certainly made more of himself (which wasn't that hard to do considering he wasn't going anywhere) by the end of the story and I think all of us can live better and do better.
There is quite a bit of language in this book. I think (maybe) that Ed's upbringing, the place he lived, the life he led explained that. But, I always hate to sound like I'm justifying bad language. I wound up crossing out a lot of words as I read. So, for that reason, I'd give this one mixed reviews. It was just okay for me. Loved the idea, but think it could have been done better.
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