Have You Read... THE MARBURY LENS

THE MARBURY LENS by Andrew Smith

I’m not entirely sure how to begin.  There are books that are dark – with war or grief or hungry vampires – and then there are books that are capital-letters-DARK – that you’re not sure you’ll be able to claw your way back out of.  This book is DARK.  Oh, and by the way, completely and totally amazing.

Book Jacket:

Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury.

There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them.

Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind.

Conner tells Jack it’s going to be okay.

But it’s not.

No, it’s definitely not.  Nothing about this book is okay.  This isn’t just a chase scene through a spooky graveyard.  This book is Fear.  Fear of the external and fear of what is happening inside his own head.  Marbury is terrifying.  And yet, Jack compulsively returns.  He describes it as, “a place that’s kind of like here, except none of the horrible things in Marbury are invisible.” 

Except Marbury is full of the same people.  People he sees there turn up here; people he knows here exist there.  As monsters.

And then the line blurs even further: a ghost in Marbury begins to haunt him outside of Marbury.

Jack wonders if maybe there are layers to the universe, to existence, like those Russian nesting dolls.  That maybe Marbury is a layer just inside the “real world.”  And maybe he’s just another layer inside that.  As you read, you’ll be wondering, too.

And after, you’ll still be wondering.  Was it real?  Is the “real world” real?  Was this an alternate reality for Jack?  Did he ever really escape his kidnapper?  Is he still tied to the bed?  Is he dead?

Does it matter?

Does seeing it make it real?

I can’t really escape Marbury either.  It’s been almost a week since I’ve read it now, but I can't get past it.  I'm still trying to make sense of it all.  Still trying to find the meaning.  Kind of like Jack.

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Comments

[Michelle Hodkin]

I have been reading about this book for a while yet, and took a look at the reviews on Goodreads. Now it's on my list of things to buy TOMORROW.

I have a thing for dark, twisted, disturbing books. I think this book is going to be my new obsession.

[Laura Pauling]

I absolutely loved this book. It was dark and twisted but I couldn't stop. It had been a while that I had absoletly no idea how the book would end. My heard pounded the entire time. Yes, it was dark, fulll of gory descriptions, but the mastery of writing and storytelling blew me away.

[christine fonseca]

I've been hearing a lot about this book - I need to read it I think!

[Megan Miranda]

Michelle -- I also love dark and twisted. This book kind of personifies the dark and twisted....it was amazing!

Laura -- I agree! I had NO clue how it would end....and the writing was completely to die for.

Christine -- Definitely read! I hope you like it!

[ali]

Whoa. I hadn't heard of this book, and honestly from the blurbl I might not have read it (though the cover definitely would have attracted my attention!) But your review has made me really want to read it, so thanks for that!

[Megan Miranda]

I hope you like it, Ali! I love books that really linger with you....this was definitely one of those books!

[Lady Reader]

I still live in Marbury.


TML rocks as does it's author, Andrew Smith. Miy review on Marbury is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/114491784

[Andrew Smith]

Wow. I came across this blog thanks to a friend (Amy) sending me the link. Thank you so much, Megan. I am so glad the book left... um... an impression on you.

Andrew

[Megan Miranda]

Amy -- I just read your review, and I totally agree. It was amazing. And thanks for sending the link to Andrew!
Andrew -- Yeah, it definitely left an impression! (But the thanks should go to you)