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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
Wow. Over 350 pages of questioning reality and I'm numb.
How do you review a book that you (enjoyed?) sped through, stayed up late for, but still don't fully understand? Andrew Smith is either on a new level of genius our feeble minds cannot process or in need of high dosage anti-psychotics.
This book gave me serious [b:We Are the Ants|23677341|We Are the Ants|Shaun David Hutchinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1425574151l/23677341._SY75_.jpg|43285034] vibes and if you enjoy wondering what the hell is happening, and books tackling that fine line between perceived reality and actual reality, look no further.
The Maybury Lens will keep you up late and keep you enjoyably confused from cover to cover.
Roll.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
How do you review a book that you (enjoyed?) sped through, stayed up late for, but still don't fully understand? Andrew Smith is either on a new level of genius our feeble minds cannot process or in need of high dosage anti-psychotics.
This book gave me serious [b:We Are the Ants|23677341|We Are the Ants|Shaun David Hutchinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1425574151l/23677341._SY75_.jpg|43285034] vibes and if you enjoy wondering what the hell is happening, and books tackling that fine line between perceived reality and actual reality, look no further.
The Maybury Lens will keep you up late and keep you enjoyably confused from cover to cover.
Roll.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
This was a really confusing, messed up book, but it was awesome! The plot was so thick, it really makes you think! A very good read and I recommend it to anyone!!
T.
T.
*Vague Spoilers*
4.5
First thing I have to say it's very misleading that this book is the "children's book of the year" by Children's best.... Young Adults Best I can wrap my head around, but not children's. The book concerns a boy who is almost the victim of rape and pedophilia... although it's not the "main event", and I do think parents should have the talk with their children about inappropriate touching when they are very young, I think giving them the walking tour, featuring a Jeffery Dalhmer wannabe, is a bit unnecessary... As well as the book also has other violent and grotesque imagery- mostly in how the dead are described....
This book reminded me of a few things, I think that Marbury (the world Jack steps into) is a metaphor for a guilty mind. They run from "the devils", they suffer, and it's a struggle to survive... when Jack's in the "real world" he starts to act like he's going through a heroin with draw if he's away for too long. On top of which there is many repetitive thoughts of guilt and self loathing (which is often accurate to how someone who's experience a violation feels) wondering if he's going mad. The character steps out of the real world and into a different reality where he attempts to protect young boys from "the devils"... this is more than likely meant to give him some comfort for the helplessness he feels in his own life. (Reminded me of the series "the Maxx" in which in a woman's mind she was once represented as the Leopard Queen, but after assaulted she's represent through a dead rabbit and has a large male protector).
I thought the dynamic between the 2 male characters was great, and seemed realistic without being too insensitive toward one another. Now, one thing that I have to agree with, but I also know why it's there, is some of the talk does come off as homophobic...I believe this is to reflect how males interact with one another, and I think my generation was far worse. At one point Conner (the other male) refers to Jack as a "fag-magnet" but, that's in reference to 2 males that tried to take advantage of Jack.... personally Pedo-magnet would have been more understandable and politically correct, but I think the point is done to demonstrate anger in the injustices inflicted on his friend. I liken some of these peoples complaints to if I were to complain about how girls are depicted in this book- indeed, Conner comes off as a bit of a man-whore to Jack's awkward sociability, but the book isn't about the relations between two females... and if it were, they might not be all that kind to males. Once again, going for legitimacy over "fluffy, cute" versions of teenage boys *but even then, they're not all that offensive considering the circumstances of the plot points*
Overall this book was good. But once again, I would say it should be geared at more mature teenagers/young adults.
4.5
First thing I have to say it's very misleading that this book is the "children's book of the year" by Children's best.... Young Adults Best I can wrap my head around, but not children's. The book concerns a boy who is almost the victim of rape and pedophilia... although it's not the "main event", and I do think parents should have the talk with their children about inappropriate touching when they are very young, I think giving them the walking tour, featuring a Jeffery Dalhmer wannabe, is a bit unnecessary... As well as the book also has other violent and grotesque imagery- mostly in how the dead are described....
This book reminded me of a few things, I think that Marbury (the world Jack steps into) is a metaphor for a guilty mind. They run from "the devils", they suffer, and it's a struggle to survive... when Jack's in the "real world" he starts to act like he's going through a heroin with draw if he's away for too long. On top of which there is many repetitive thoughts of guilt and self loathing (which is often accurate to how someone who's experience a violation feels) wondering if he's going mad. The character steps out of the real world and into a different reality where he attempts to protect young boys from "the devils"... this is more than likely meant to give him some comfort for the helplessness he feels in his own life. (Reminded me of the series "the Maxx" in which in a woman's mind she was once represented as the Leopard Queen, but after assaulted she's represent through a dead rabbit and has a large male protector).
I thought the dynamic between the 2 male characters was great, and seemed realistic without being too insensitive toward one another. Now, one thing that I have to agree with, but I also know why it's there, is some of the talk does come off as homophobic...I believe this is to reflect how males interact with one another, and I think my generation was far worse. At one point Conner (the other male) refers to Jack as a "fag-magnet" but, that's in reference to 2 males that tried to take advantage of Jack.... personally Pedo-magnet would have been more understandable and politically correct, but I think the point is done to demonstrate anger in the injustices inflicted on his friend. I liken some of these peoples complaints to if I were to complain about how girls are depicted in this book- indeed, Conner comes off as a bit of a man-whore to Jack's awkward sociability, but the book isn't about the relations between two females... and if it were, they might not be all that kind to males. Once again, going for legitimacy over "fluffy, cute" versions of teenage boys *but even then, they're not all that offensive considering the circumstances of the plot points*
Overall this book was good. But once again, I would say it should be geared at more mature teenagers/young adults.
An interesting concept that unfortunately never came full circle. They never explained to us what/where Marbury was and there were far too many loose ends by the time it was all said and done.
Steph says no.
To elaborate: the book was a crazy cluster**** before the main character even got to see this other world!
It starts out with him at a party. With booze. You say ok, yeah whatever. But he walks in on his best friend having sex with his girlfriend (the best friend's girlfriend) and the best friend offers to let him have some too. Just, what?
When the best friend eaves the party, still a virgin mind you, he not only gets kidnapped and sexually assaulted, but after telling his best friend, they find the guy get into a rage and BEAT HIM TO DEATH. This is all before he goes to London and finds the Marbury Lens, the entire point for why I read this book.
If I wanted such mind scarring material, I'd be searching for it. I went into this book because it was supposed to be this super cool fantasy/steampunk series, and who knows? Maybe if I continued reading I would have liked it. But the beginning was way too much way too soon, and I had not prepared for the slightly erotic, violent things it did show me. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'd at least like a warning on the label before reading, because it does influence how I liked the book (which I didn't).
I do not plan on picking it up again. If you do, tell me what you think about it. But don't say I didn't warn you.
To elaborate: the book was a crazy cluster**** before the main character even got to see this other world!
It starts out with him at a party. With booze. You say ok, yeah whatever. But he walks in on his best friend having sex with his girlfriend (the best friend's girlfriend) and the best friend offers to let him have some too. Just, what?
When the best friend eaves the party, still a virgin mind you, he not only gets kidnapped and sexually assaulted, but after telling his best friend, they find the guy get into a rage and BEAT HIM TO DEATH. This is all before he goes to London and finds the Marbury Lens, the entire point for why I read this book.
If I wanted such mind scarring material, I'd be searching for it. I went into this book because it was supposed to be this super cool fantasy/steampunk series, and who knows? Maybe if I continued reading I would have liked it. But the beginning was way too much way too soon, and I had not prepared for the slightly erotic, violent things it did show me. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'd at least like a warning on the label before reading, because it does influence how I liked the book (which I didn't).
I do not plan on picking it up again. If you do, tell me what you think about it. But don't say I didn't warn you.
Drunk and in the wrong place at the wrong time, sixteen year-old Jack is kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a man, escaping narrowly. Harrowed by the incident, Jack tells only his best friend Conner what happened; the pair are going on a summer trip to Europe together. Once in London, a strange man hands Jack a pair of glasses through which Jack is transported to the war-torn world of Marbury in which Jack is solely responsible for the survival of two young boys, protecting them from a murderer – Conner. Without the glasses, Jack passes his time in London like any other high school boy – he falls in love with a girl. But, addicted to the glasses, to finding out what’s going on in Marbury, Jack begins to struggle with reality, and soon fears he is losing his mind.
109 pages in:
started reading this an hour ago, now it’s 130 (5.5h before i have to get up for work) and i can’t stop, nor do i want to. i almost want to go and get the mountain dew in the fridge, to sip slowly while i finish devouring this book, so there’s no chance at all i’ll get tired and miss part of it’s O.O-ness. i’m not a huge michael grant fan, but his blurb on the front is damned accurate: “andrew smith’s the marbury lens will own you, mind, body and soul. you can’t put it down, but you’ll want to. you’ll want to put it down and away but that is not happening. the marbury lens crawls into your head and won’t leave.” i want to put it down because it makes my skin crawl (and because of the time) but good fuck, i can’t.
This is one of those books that, once you finish it, you need to pick it back up again and re-read in order to find out what the hell just passed through your brain. I haven't had a chance to re-read this yet. But I can tell you right now, it's the best psychological novel I have read in a long time.
109 pages in:
started reading this an hour ago, now it’s 130 (5.5h before i have to get up for work) and i can’t stop, nor do i want to. i almost want to go and get the mountain dew in the fridge, to sip slowly while i finish devouring this book, so there’s no chance at all i’ll get tired and miss part of it’s O.O-ness. i’m not a huge michael grant fan, but his blurb on the front is damned accurate: “andrew smith’s the marbury lens will own you, mind, body and soul. you can’t put it down, but you’ll want to. you’ll want to put it down and away but that is not happening. the marbury lens crawls into your head and won’t leave.” i want to put it down because it makes my skin crawl (and because of the time) but good fuck, i can’t.
This is one of those books that, once you finish it, you need to pick it back up again and re-read in order to find out what the hell just passed through your brain. I haven't had a chance to re-read this yet. But I can tell you right now, it's the best psychological novel I have read in a long time.
Dark, different, and a wwell-told tale. I think the author takes a lot of influence from Stephen King, as the way sounds and phrases are used and repeated reminded me a lot of that author's habits. I felt like the story itself was very original as well, instead of building towards a climax it spirals downward. Also, the protagonist knows full well when he's doing something stupid, and curses himself for it. Which is nice, because it saves me from doing it. He also acts like a real individual might act, instead of making silly conflict creating or plot forwarding decisions without a good reason. Still, it's not exactly a happy novel but the tension between slowly going insane, the other world, and trying to live a good life in our world is a pretty excellent conflict.
