?Certain to be one of the funniest books of the year?

?Laugh at his triumphs, weep at his disasters?

?One of the great modern memoirists?

'Long may Simon Gray continue to jounce'

?A trenchant, funny and surprisingly mellow book?

?You will be lucky to find a more delicious read this year?

?A wonderful book, hilarious and poignant in turn?

?His lack of bounce is as sympathetic and entertaining as ever?

?Gray?s a very cunning craftsman. But also, thank goodness, a very funny one?

?Long and vigorously may he continue to jounce?

2008-08-26 What a life and what a terrific contribution to the theatre!

I am so happy that Simon Gray saw a significant re-birth of his career (and in the general interest in him as a writer) in the final years of his life. I simply loved the Richard E. Grant helmed production of "Otherwise Engaged" and Gray's "Little Nell" is a fine, thoughtful play that will find its place someday.

The Smoking Diaries are a fitting (and accomplished) final contribution from this very interesting and complicated man. That Simon Gray was able to record them on CD is all the more exciting because you may now hear Simon Gray eternally. (A good thing I assure you!) Would that so many others had the opportunity to do the same!