Synopsis:
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.
Review:
Erm … uhm … yeah.
Well.
See, the thing is, I don’t know what to say about Andrew Smith’s bizarre, otherworldly novel. I have no idea what happened and I don’t know what the point of the story was. I’m not sure what readers are supposed to take away from this, nor do I feel I’ve learned anything.
I do know that the book has created a veritable firestorm among reviewers and some authors, resulting in name-calling, accusations and accusations of accusations (search for “Marbury Lens” in Twitter if you really want to know). Some bloggers have had to turn off their comments because things got so out of hand.
Why? It’s complicated, and it really has nothing to do with the actual storyline. I don’t think. But then again, I haven’t a clue so I could be totally blowing smoke here.
I don’t have a problem with the swearing. I don’t have a problem with the sex. I don’t even have a problem with the drinking, murder or banter about sexual orientation. What I do have a problem with is the lack of direction. If you’re going to lead me on this bizarre and violent journey, I expect to be rewarded.
Smith does not do this. There is no resolution whatsoever, and frankly, I feel used. I devoted precious hours of my life to reading this novel but got very little in return. I keep thinking it must be an allegory or warped bildungsroman, or there are psychological layers that need peeled … but no. I keep coming up empty, and if someone else who has read it can explain to me what the heck I’m supposed to get out of it, please do.
Just don’t make me turn off the comments.
Novel Novice 
Articulate. Review. Really?!
You know what I have to say?!
Don’t read a book that you already know/think you’re not going to like. Based off of your comments, you’d already judged the novel before reading it. You did read it, right? And being that you’ve done so much research on Smith, you would know that there is a sequel for TML. (right?)
Tell me, is Andrew Smith supposed to give away EVERYTHING in the first book? Leaving nothing to your imagination?
And, please tell me what’s up with “I’m not sure what readers are supposed to take away from this, nor do I feel I’ve learned anything.”
I wasn’t aware that The Marbury Lens was a self-help novel! Why is Smith responsible for ‘teaching’ readers something in a FICTION novel that he wrote?
I think most of the people that have negative things to say about Marbury have not even read it.
If you’re more content with bland YA or safe novels that don’t go outside of the box, then stick with them. Don’t go where you don’t wanna be. You already know you’re not going to like it.
No where did I say I didn’t expect to like it. I was looking forward to something different, but was disappointed.
And yes, I did read the book in its entirety.
I can tell you feel strongly about this book. Instead of attacking my opinion, I welcome your comments on why you like it so much. I’m sure our readers would love to hear from someone who enjoyed it.
I agree with clumzbella. I have not read this book and want to at some point. With all of the back-and-forth, readers who loved this book should just say why they love it so well. Readers have every right to not engage in a book and admit that in their review. Clumzbella did a good job of explaining what made this book not a great read, Marbury Lens fans should do the same.
Thanks for your review, clumzbella.
My review of The Marbury Lens can be read here:
http://attackofthebook.com/2010/12/06/marbury-lens-andrew-smith/
I don’t think I was attacking your opinion. I apologize if you felt so. My questions, I felt were/are valid. I don’t really understand why you feel Andrew Smith is supposed to teach a lesson in his fiction novel?
And, obviously we have different views because I found there were several lessons learned.
I’m pretty certain that my views are made perfectly clear.
Crystal clear, actually.
I also stand by my belief that many are judging Smith’s novel by all of the controversy and negative comments of others, without even taking the time to read it and form their own opinion. I also see that readers are going into the novel with a negative outlook, not even giving it a fair chance. (Examples of this can be found on Twitter also.)
I really hope that readers will take the time and give The Marbury Lens a chance. Without the negativity clouding their minds. I think most will enjoy the story. Because that’s exactly what it is. .. a story.