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salbulga's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
drbird's review
3.0
Good, not great. a light read that never made me laugh out loud, but has some funny moments.
martyfried's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty funny book with a somewhat interesting story, but I started getting bored during the last half, and almost quit reading.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed it a lot; usually, I like the book better than the movie, but in this case, it seems the other way around. And I don't remember the movie, so it's not that I knew the story already. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a humor book right now.
I saw the movie a few years back, and enjoyed it a lot; usually, I like the book better than the movie, but in this case, it seems the other way around. And I don't remember the movie, so it's not that I knew the story already. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for a humor book right now.
sawyergolden's review against another edition
5.0
this book was so good i felt it was necessary to write a review on it. my new favorite novel by a mile
sharonfalduto's review
The middle aged spokesman for the cigarette industry, which comes under more and more fire as health initiatives of the 1990s gear up, deals with a kidnapping and a plot to his demise against the backdrop of the radically changing health care codes.
I think I just said the same thing twice in my review. He's not entirely a sympathetic character, but he does all right.
I think I just said the same thing twice in my review. He's not entirely a sympathetic character, but he does all right.
stewreads's review against another edition
3.0
Ever pick up a book at the Salvation Army because of a familiar title, or author, and think: "Might as well. Even if it's just alright, it's cheap."? My guess is probably. And those books are usually just that- a nice, cheap read. But sometimes you get lucky and find a gem like Thank You For Smoking among the dusty hardcovers on the thrift store shelf.
To be honest, I only decided to read this book because I wanted an excuse to go out and buy the movie. I never expected it to be anything great. But the more I read, the more I got attached to the characters, the situations, and most importantly, the dark humor. I'm always a big fan of satire, but sometimes concepts get taken too far and lose their believability. While certain elements of Thank You For Smoking are quite over the top, it never gets too ridiculous to stop you from thinking, yeah, there are people like this out there. And that's what I loved about it. A totally unexpected read about greedy people who will stop at nothing to sell their product, even if it means perpetrating a genocide or two in the process.
Fun stuff. Very excited to watch the movie now.
To be honest, I only decided to read this book because I wanted an excuse to go out and buy the movie. I never expected it to be anything great. But the more I read, the more I got attached to the characters, the situations, and most importantly, the dark humor. I'm always a big fan of satire, but sometimes concepts get taken too far and lose their believability. While certain elements of Thank You For Smoking are quite over the top, it never gets too ridiculous to stop you from thinking, yeah, there are people like this out there. And that's what I loved about it. A totally unexpected read about greedy people who will stop at nothing to sell their product, even if it means perpetrating a genocide or two in the process.
Fun stuff. Very excited to watch the movie now.
reed_with_read's review
4.0
If you like morally ambiguous characters with quick wit - chances are, you'll like this book.
I watched the movie many years ago and loved it.
Whilst the original story in the book takes a slightly different path, it's still a great story.
And whilst the world of Tobacco has changed considerably since this book was first published, the mentality and ludicrous arguments of the industry echo those from the time it was written. Which in its own way is entertaining.
I watched the movie many years ago and loved it.
Whilst the original story in the book takes a slightly different path, it's still a great story.
And whilst the world of Tobacco has changed considerably since this book was first published, the mentality and ludicrous arguments of the industry echo those from the time it was written. Which in its own way is entertaining.
aviva28's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jenni8fer's review
4.0
Quirky, but really funny, and strange. Read this the year the movie was released.
keepingupwiththepenguins's review
3.0
My full review of Thank You For Smoking can be found on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
Thank You For Smoking is funny and fast-paced and just a little farcical. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read. The thing is, reading it reaffirmed all the arguments I’ve ever heard in favour of not watching the movie before you’ve read the book (or, at least, not reading the book of a movie you’ve enjoyed). I just kept picturing scenes from the (remarkably faithful, it must be said) movie version the whole way through. The laughs just weren’t quite as hearty coming from the page. Thank You For Smoking is a book I probably would have loved-loved-loved otherwise.
Thank You For Smoking is funny and fast-paced and just a little farcical. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read. The thing is, reading it reaffirmed all the arguments I’ve ever heard in favour of not watching the movie before you’ve read the book (or, at least, not reading the book of a movie you’ve enjoyed). I just kept picturing scenes from the (remarkably faithful, it must be said) movie version the whole way through. The laughs just weren’t quite as hearty coming from the page. Thank You For Smoking is a book I probably would have loved-loved-loved otherwise.