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Messenger
“You know that message everybody’s been waiting for their whole lives, as long as they can remember? Well, I bring that message. That’s my job. It’s up to me.”
While searching for a new, intriguing story among the insanely competitive media world of New York City, young journalist Alana Peterson finds Messenger, an old woman who gives life-changing messages to strangers all over the city. Alana thinks she’s found her big break with Messenger’s story, but soon realizes there is much more to Messenger than meets the eye. Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results, only then realizing Messenger’s bigger plans.
The pivotal themes of initiation, connection, relationship, and mystery form the heart of this refreshing novel. In Whitehurst's adaptation of her podcast of the same name, she reminds us that we are all messengers for each other, and that empathy and connection can come from the most unexpected places.
While searching for a new, intriguing story among the insanely competitive media world of New York City, young journalist Alana Peterson finds Messenger, an old woman who gives life-changing messages to strangers all over the city. Alana thinks she’s found her big break with Messenger’s story, but soon realizes there is much more to Messenger than meets the eye. Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results, only then realizing Messenger’s bigger plans.
The pivotal themes of initiation, connection, relationship, and mystery form the heart of this refreshing novel. In Whitehurst's adaptation of her podcast of the same name, she reminds us that we are all messengers for each other, and that empathy and connection can come from the most unexpected places.
300 pages, Paperback
Published October 19, 2021
4 people are currently reading
1493 people want to read
About the author
Liz Keller Whitehurst
1 book15 followersLiz Keller Whitehurst is the author of the forthcoming debut novel, Messenger, and author/creator of the serial podcast MESSENGER: A NOVEL IN 16 EPISODES, which she launched in 2020. Her short stories have appeared in many literary magazines and journals, including Gargoyle, The Portland Review, Five Fingers Review and Nimrod International Journal. She was a finalist in Nimrod International Journal’s Short Story Competition. She earned an MA in English from The University of Virginia. In addition to fiction writing, Liz has spent her professional life writing and teaching. She’s done corporate, non-profit and freelance writing and has taught English and writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Her last teaching post was co-leading a memoir writing class at the city jail. Though born in Ohio, Liz grew up in Winchester, Virginia and has lived her adult life in Richmond, Virginia. She shares her current 1891 home, located in one of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, with her husband. Her second-floor writing desk overlooks the James River.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 1, 2021
Not only is this book about receiving special messages from unexpected sources, but it's about being a messenger to others. Sometimes we forget that we too can be an inspiration with our own words and actions, and this book reminded me to appreciate that, and to put good into the world.
April 21, 2022
This book came into my life at the perfect time, which emphasizes the meaning of the book even more for me. You never know when somebody, something, a stranger, is going to be that message you've been waiting for, and how it'll inspire or affect you. This book is an inspiring read that reminds me of the beauty of life!
Synopsis:
“You know that message everybody’s been waiting for their whole lives, as long as they can remember? Well, I bring that message. That’s my job. It’s up to me.”
While searching for a new, intriguing story among the insanely competitive media world of New York City, young journalist Alana Peterson finds Messenger, an old woman who gives life-changing messages to strangers all over the city. Alana thinks she’s found her big break with Messenger’s story, but soon realizes there is much more to Messenger than meets the eye. Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results, only then realizing Messenger’s bigger plans.
“Oh, no, Honey. Not the end. A new beginning!”
Synopsis:
“You know that message everybody’s been waiting for their whole lives, as long as they can remember? Well, I bring that message. That’s my job. It’s up to me.”
While searching for a new, intriguing story among the insanely competitive media world of New York City, young journalist Alana Peterson finds Messenger, an old woman who gives life-changing messages to strangers all over the city. Alana thinks she’s found her big break with Messenger’s story, but soon realizes there is much more to Messenger than meets the eye. Through a series of mistakes, Alana bends the trajectory of the story to tragic results, only then realizing Messenger’s bigger plans.
“Oh, no, Honey. Not the end. A new beginning!”
September 30, 2021
During a time of uncertainty and isolation due to the pandemic, Messenger came at the perfect time, delivering a heartfelt message of inspiration and hope. A definite must-read!
October 27, 2021
Messenger is an interesting story written by Liz Keller Whitehurst. The story is about a girl named Alana who want to become a journalist and an old lady named Messenger, who gives messages to people when he/she need them at the time. Alana wants to write a story about this lady. So she began to search for her and collect information from everyone who got the messages. The responses she got from the people makes us curious to know more about Messenger.
From the first sight itself, Alana was drawn to her and got a motherly feeling. She enjoyed being with Messenger. A bond develops between the two of them. The rest of the story tells more about them, their journey etc. This is an unusual and interesting story to read. The story is lengthy but I enjoyed reading it.
I thank NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the first sight itself, Alana was drawn to her and got a motherly feeling. She enjoyed being with Messenger. A bond develops between the two of them. The rest of the story tells more about them, their journey etc. This is an unusual and interesting story to read. The story is lengthy but I enjoyed reading it.
I thank NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2022
With a general feeling of hope and themes of found family and the interconnectedness of humankind, this made for a great read at the onset of a new year. This book can create a reading experience filled with self-reflection but also lends itself easily to discussions in a book club setting.
The pacing slowed down somewhat at two-thirds of the way through as we spend too much time in Alana’s self-pity but my want of an understanding of who Messenger was and the meaning behind her actions kept rapidly turning the pages. I connected more with the story as a whole rather than with Alana and Messenger as characters, but the ending was satisfying and overall an enjoyable read. My favorite aspect of the book was reading stories, written as blog entries, of people from the city who received messages from Messenger and how the simple words she wrote changed their lives.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are my own.
The pacing slowed down somewhat at two-thirds of the way through as we spend too much time in Alana’s self-pity but my want of an understanding of who Messenger was and the meaning behind her actions kept rapidly turning the pages. I connected more with the story as a whole rather than with Alana and Messenger as characters, but the ending was satisfying and overall an enjoyable read. My favorite aspect of the book was reading stories, written as blog entries, of people from the city who received messages from Messenger and how the simple words she wrote changed their lives.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are my own.
December 13, 2021
This was an interesting premise. Alana is an aspiring journalist, almost broke. She hears about a mysterious elderly woman who hands strangers short messages which have positive impacts on their lives, and thinks she has found the story she needs to make a name for herself and break into journalism.
The story itself is quite lovely, but it takes a long time to get there and I found myself skimming in places. But the ending was very satisfying.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy for an honest review.
The story itself is quite lovely, but it takes a long time to get there and I found myself skimming in places. But the ending was very satisfying.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
Pretty good. Plot was based on an interesting premise -- someone handing out notes of personalized encouragement to various city dwellers, then vanishing, and the aspiring young blogger trying to gain interviews with said person. I did skip ahead at times (book seemed a bit more suited to young adults) but the book was worth finishing. 3.5 stars for the advanced reader's copy I received from #netgalley and the publisher (thanks).
October 1, 2021
I'm so happy the author decided to put Messenger: the podcast, into the world during the start of the pandemic. And now feels like the perfect time for it to become a print book. When reading it, it reminded me that there are still kind, thoughtful people in the world, and you never know when one of them will change your life.
October 1, 2021
Such an amazing book and podcast! After listening to real-life messages from listeners of the podcast, I realized lots of people receive inspiring, mysterious messages, and they always seem to realize later that they came at the perfect time. This book is a reminder to trust the timing of life, and that everything happens for a reason. It will always turn out okay.
August 25, 2021
Loved this book! I had such a great time following Alana around New York City on her adventures as a journalist. The mystery behind Messenger was enough to keep me flipping the pages deep into the night. A must read for fans of urban fantasy!
October 1, 2021
Not only do I love this print book, but have an entire backlist of podcast episodes to listen to! Such a sweet, special message from an author who put her message into the world when we really needed it.
February 26, 2022
This is a great story with a message of hope and connection. It also has an interesting writing style which I enjoyed. There is the narrative of the story but also blog posts and lists and the messages themselves.
September 30, 2021
Life can change so quickly, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. This book reminded me of that, and I appreciate the author for putting this message into the world!
October 1, 2021
Wow, what an inspiring read!! A reminder that messages that will change your life can come to you at any time, even when you didn't know you needed it.
October 1, 2021
A debut author you really don't want to miss. Her words were inspiring and left me wanting to connect more with others. It'll leave you more open to the world around you, and I really love that.
October 18, 2021
This is such a light, comforting book that I would recommend to anyone searching for an answer of some kind. You will find it somewhere in this inspiring, motivational read!
December 15, 2021
A refreshing open-minded adventure !
January 4, 2023
Different and interesting
February 21, 2022
It was a great read that was both entertaining and meaningful. Lots of warm, feel good nuggets amidst prolific magical realism, down-to-earth spirituality that can I venture to say we can all relate to no matter what our background.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews