PASSENGER. THE MARBURY LENS. Boris and Gleb.

I've seen it.
In fact, I can see it from here.
PASSENGER.
It's page five, which is the first page of the story.
I have it encased in a hard plastic cover.
Yes, I know Andrew Smith carried it around in his back pocket.
Yes, I know it's not a holy relic like the bones of Boris and Gleb. But when I think of Marbury and now PASSENGER I think of Boris and Gleb.
Bear with me here.

According to Nestor the Chronicler, Boris and Gleb were the beloved sons of Vladimir the Great. He put them in charge of some towns.Meanwhile, their older brother, Sviatopolk the Accursed, took the throne when Vladimir died.He wanted his brothers assassinated. He was jealous. Boris was like, "I will not raise my hand against my brother." He died at the hand of Sviatopolk the Accursed, which really sucked. Gleb got killed by his friend, the cook. Stabbed and hidden under a bush. This also sucked.
There are those who assert that Varangian warriors were also involved. And this really, truly sucked.
If you have gone to Marbury, this may or may not make sense.
I have not and will not make a copy of the PASSENGER page. It would be wrong. It would be like selling fake Boris and Gleb relics with a neon "Relics" sign.
So the winner gets the only copy.
And THE MARBURY LENS, signed by Andrew Smith.
Don't ever tell me that hagiography and art history won't move the world forward. In some way.

THE MARBURY LENS. A Glimpse of PASSENGER. The Epic Giveaway Continues.

The MARBURY LENS is a brilliant, disturbing, echo-inducing book. I can't help it; I always see the title in capitals in my head.
Watch the trailer.

I think maybe you will see the title all in capitals now, too.
Waiting for PASSENGER (yes, that will always be in caps for me as well) is a trial.
Happily for one of us, Andrew Smith is giving me page five of PASSENGER to give away.
This page has edits from Liz Szabla(chimes) and is signed by Himself.
Here is what Andrew says about his piles of manuscripts. I think many people would call them "archives."
I think Andrew would laugh at the thought of him having "archives."
What Andrew writes is important. I posted about that here. I believe in making boys visible. I believe in good books and passing the nimbus.
I believe in books that kick ass and take you places you may not want to go, and then when you get there you realize that's where you needed to be. Books that convey moments of grace when grace is unlikely. And, really, if you think about it, few things are less likely and more necessary.For all of us.

If you would like to enter the contest,see the details here.

The The Spooktacular Giveaway Hop is also going on right now. Each blogger is offering a book-related prize. Go for them.