Reviews

Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley

abookishtype's review against another edition

3.0

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book since I watched the movie a couple of years ago. Thank You For Smoking is one of the most cynical, devilishly funny satires I’ve ever read. It was written over a decade ago, when anti-smoking legislation–banning smoking in restaurants, etc.–rolled through after studies started to definitively prove the link between smoking and a host of physical ailments. The story is narrated by Nick Naylor, a spokesman for the tobacco lobby, as he tries to delay the inevitable...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.

cinerasik's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

vassa's review

4.0

Very enjoyable read, the plot is captivating and the characters are extremely interesting. So glad I finally picked it up.

lanikei's review

4.0

This is one of the rare occasions I think I prefer the movie to the book, though that isn't to say that I didn't like the book. I usually read the book before I see the movie, so it's possible that I just always prefer the one that I experience first.

In general the book has much of the same humor that the movie does, though it takes the satire a little further and I thought the conspiracy aspect of the ending was a little over-wrought. But the characterizations are rich, and the points made are funny.

I did miss the family aspect that the movie ties in. I found it a little harder to have any sympathy for Nick with his fairly casual dismissal of his obligations as a father. The book also seemed a little more dated in its name-checking and political issues.

Still, a great book and a quick read. If you're a fan of the movie, worth reading the original. If you like the book you have GOT to see the movie.

chilg1128's review

4.0

Having seen the movie first, I think it was one of the few times that the movie was just as good as the book. Overall, I enjoyed the satire that was brought by this book, and a lot of the irony that came from following the main character, Nick Naylor, through his career of defending the tobacco industry.

Worth reading, but if you've seen the movie, there isn't a lot of difference.

tsilverman's review

3.0

A snarky and entertaining read, though judging by how long it took me to read it, it definitely dragged on a couple times.

bryanthebroome's review

5.0

How far would you deceive yourself and others to ensure you were providing for your family? Buckley's masterful satirical comedy about Nick Naylor, chief spokesman for a tobacco lobby company billing itself as a study center. It takes an assassination attempt from a violent anti-smoking group and the newfound publicity afforded him as a result of it to make him question his role in the machine.

rachaelreads_'s review

5.0

hysteeeeerical. i got it on a whim in an airport & actually laughed outloud while reading this on the plane.

cathreohorn's review against another edition

2.0

I read this as part of Reddit's 52 books in 52 weeks challenge. Lots of people said they'd been wanting to read this for a while, but I'd never heard of it before and it took me a while to get through.

It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it but I didn't feel compelled to read it. It was proposed as part of comedy month and it was humourous in parts, but never made me laugh out loud.

corvinus's review against another edition

3.0

It had good parts, interesting parts. Smart dialogue. I did not like the BR/Jeannette angle and how it unfolded.