but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith.
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than >sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than
sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently
reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking
scenes too objectionable. And nearly every character just had to have
another cigarette to talk to friends or tell off the enemies.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The
result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> writes:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>>>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than >>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently
reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking
scenes too objectionable. And nearly every character just had to have >>another cigarette to talk to friends or tell off the enemies.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The
result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
As a lifelong non-smoker, I recall having difficulty enjoying
a restaurant meal due to smokers at the next table, walking out
of a bar smelling like an ashtray, or trying to survive a six
hour flight in the last non-smoking row of an airplane.
I'm happy that all three are no longer issues.
In article <GPf4Q.234265$VIE2.181216@fx33.iad>,
Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net> wrote:
Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> writes:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith.
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than >>>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently >>>reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking >>>scenes too objectionable. And nearly every character just had to have >>>another cigarette to talk to friends or tell off the enemies.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The
result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
As a lifelong non-smoker, I recall having difficulty enjoying
a restaurant meal due to smokers at the next table, walking out
of a bar smelling like an ashtray, or trying to survive a six
hour flight in the last non-smoking row of an airplane.
I'm happy that all three are no longer issues.
At work, I explained to a horrified student that certain heavy
benches are spaced the way they are to make room for the ash-tray
stands that used to be at regular intervals in that hallway.
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) writes:
In article <GPf4Q.234265$VIE2.181216@fx33.iad>,
Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net> wrote:
Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> writes:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith.
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than >>>>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently >>>>reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking >>>>scenes too objectionable. And nearly every character just had to have >>>>another cigarette to talk to friends or tell off the enemies.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The >>>>result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
As a lifelong non-smoker, I recall having difficulty enjoying
a restaurant meal due to smokers at the next table, walking out
of a bar smelling like an ashtray, or trying to survive a six
hour flight in the last non-smoking row of an airplane.
I'm happy that all three are no longer issues.
At work, I explained to a horrified student that certain heavy
benches are spaced the way they are to make room for the ash-tray
stands that used to be at regular intervals in that hallway.
When I got my first private office at work (mid 80s), the prior
occupant had been a chain smoker and it took me several days
to clean the tar off furniture and walls. Still stunk for
a year or so afterwords.
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) writes:
In article <GPf4Q.234265$VIE2.181216@fx33.iad>,Doc Smith.
Scott Lurndal <slp53@pacbell.net> wrote:
Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> writes:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than >>>>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently >>>>reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking >>>>scenes too objectionable. And nearly every character just had to have >>>>another cigarette to talk to friends or tell off the enemies.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The >>>>result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
As a lifelong non-smoker, I recall having difficulty enjoying
a restaurant meal due to smokers at the next table, walking out
of a bar smelling like an ashtray, or trying to survive a six
hour flight in the last non-smoking row of an airplane.
I'm happy that all three are no longer issues.
At work, I explained to a horrified student that certain heavy
benches are spaced the way they are to make room for the ash-tray
stands that used to be at regular intervals in that hallway.
When I got my first private office at work (mid 80s), the prior
occupant had been a chain smoker and it took me several days
to clean the tar off furniture and walls. Still stunk for
a year or so afterwords.
I think MacLeod his having fun with the idea that, once medical science
can deal with all smoking-related illnesses easily, smoking may make a >comeback. Which I found amusing in the novel.
William Hyde
On 17/06/2025 10.09, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>>>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes that >>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
    Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently
reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking
scenes too objectionable.
Well, I don't find them objectionable, just disconcerting.
On 17/06/2025 10.09, Bobbie Sellers wrote:
On 6/16/25 22:45, Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc Smith. >>>>
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes that >>> sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
Books I read in the 1960s and thoughly enjoyed were recently
reopened and closed for the very same reason as I found the smoking
scenes too objectionable.
Well, I don't find them objectionable, just disconcerting.
Somewhat timely:
<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57246206>
<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57246206>
I wasn't aware that Mathieu Kassovitz was the "the ... star of
/Amelie/". I always that that Audrey Toutou was the star. But then, I
am not French and so do not automatically assign top billing to the
male, particularly when the female is clearly the person that the film
is about.
Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc
Smith.
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes than
sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
In many of his works, the moments the characters spend smoking make the difference between their drinking themselves to death immediately, and a somewhat postponed death.
William Hyde
Titus G wrote:
On 18/06/25 12:05, William Hyde wrote:
Titus G wrote:
On 17/06/25 07:00, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
snip
but all that I can remember about them is: more smoking than in Doc
Smith.
I was surprised at characters spending more time smoking cigarettes
than
sticking to the plot in some recent reads.
Meet the Tiger. Leslie Charteris.
The Ministry of Time. Kaliane Bradley.
Hardwired. Walter Jon Williams.
The worst was non SF, Vengeance by Benjamin Black.
In many of his works, the moments the characters spend smoking make the
difference between their drinking themselves to death immediately, and a >>> somewhat postponed death.
William Hyde
Vengeance was the fifth of his Quirke series. Copyright 2012. As well as
constant cigarette references, specific English brand names were used.
Just in case I did not previously recommend Banville's "Snow", let me do
so now. It is a mystery, but not involving Quirke.
I am currently reading Mick Herron's Slough House series
How I envy you!
bound into one volume. There's little overlap with the Slough house
crowd, but the stories are worthwhile in themselves, and do connect with
the later novels.
in which the
serious drinkers outperform the smokers with the exception of the main
character who excels at both but that aspect is a necessary part of the
background and sometimes humourous. In Vengeance, it seemed unnecessary.
I have only read the Quirke novels. I tried The Book of Evidence but it
was too literary for me.
That I have not seen. His only non-mystery I have read was to some
degree mystery-adjacent, as it was based on the life of Anthony Blunt.
As a lifelong non-smoker, I recall having difficulty enjoying
a restaurant meal due to smokers at the next table, walking out
of a bar smelling like an ashtray, or trying to survive a six
hour flight in the last non-smoking row of an airplane.
I'm happy that all three are no longer issues.
I myself never seriously smoked tobacco at any time but most
was after i was 25 yoa. The smoking did not offend me when i read
the books the first time. Now it disgusts me to read about it. The
result of anti-smoking propaganda or the thought of my former
room mate who had smoked since she was 14 yoa and died at
75 of brain cancer that had spread from a lung cancer.
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