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The Complete Smoking Diaries Hardcover – September 5, 2013

by Simon Gray (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
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When he turned sixty-five, playwright Simon Gray began to keep a diary in which he reflected on a life filled with cigarettes (continuing), alcohol (stopped), several triumphs and many more disasters, shame, adultery, friendship and love. Bringing together the four parts of The Smoking Diaries
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  1. Print length
    847 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Granta Books
  4. Publication date
    September 5, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    6.42 x 2.28 x 9.45 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1847088481
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1847088482
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Granta Books (September 5, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 847 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1847088481
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1847088482
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.42 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.42 x 2.28 x 9.45 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

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Simon Gray

Simon Gray

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
51 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Steiner
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
This collection of Simon Gray’s now-classic memoirs brings together several years of daily writing from the English play write. Documenting in candid detail the life of this terribly funny, sad, and observant writer is an incomparable pleasure. In addition to sustained treatments of his friendship with Harold Pinter, Gray offers up remarkably intricate reflections on his colleagues on the stage. In the age of cheaply provocative memoirs, the Smoking Diaries eludes easy classification or summary. Invariably sad, funny, and boring, Gray’s prodigious capacity for self-deprecation is contagious.
2 people found this helpful
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Empyjay
5.0 out of 5 stars He is the best company! The book looked dauntingly thick
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2017
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He is the best company! The book looked dauntingly thick, but now I'm dreading finishing it. Oddly hypnotic to read.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and thoughtful (bordering on profundity in many places) ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2015
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Entertaining and interesting stream of consciousness style memoir. Beautifully written and thoughtful (bordering on profundity in many places) this is a work whose only flaw is its teasing narrative loops. Gray dangles a revelation in front of us and then snatches it away while he enumerates what he had for lunch, where he went for a walk etc. and then returns to it many pages later, where we have to backtrack somewhat. He's a bit of a foreigner to current sensibilities, but by no means a dinosaur. Erudite and honest, this is well worth your time.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
An extraordinary book, an extraordinary man, I strongly recommend this volume; it's not often you find a writer who, paragraph after paragraph, prompts you to read his work out loud to anyone in your vicinity.
One person found this helpful
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Deep Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Irascible
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
Enter the world of Simon Gray, irascible in his closing years but always articulate and interesting. All four books of diaries in one volume is tremendous value. Perhaps the writing tics that are so compulsive in a single book become a little wearing in the longer read? Otherwise, a fine piece of work that will surely last.
3 people found this helpful
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P. Stephens
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite books of the last 10 years I think
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
Wonderful writing that I didn't want to end.
One person found this helpful
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AKD
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
bought as a present for someone who loves Simon Gray,
One person found this helpful
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Russ
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
Brilliant, just brilliant!
One person found this helpful
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