X20: A Novel of "Not" Smoking

This is a cleverly written book, WITHOUT Beard trying to outsmart the reader. For example note the names of the characters. Great. This was so readable, I too could not put it down. This book I swear, energized me. I felt better for reading it. What better thing can you say.Adrian

loved this book- best book i've read in quite awhile. one of those books for which you try to SLOW DOWN your reading in order to put off the inevitable end. highly highly recommend. i'm back today trawling for anything else he may have written since this one... :)

More than a book about smoking, Beard's character finds himself addicted to memories, lust, love and companionship. Living in a world he can't really get into, but can't give up.The book is written in the style of a man trying to give up smoking, writing entries to keep his hands busy and the length of the entries as well as thier content, show the withdraw. The main characters life unravels through these entries as well which give it a nice touch. At times witty, at times rather morbid, this book is a great read. Though I don't like this edition's cover art... cough, cough...

An author's first novel will set the tone of his career. Therefore, the career of Richard Beard is one that I shall be following. In "X20", Beard involves the reader with a host of characters. He has shown the ability to give depth to his subjects, and allow them to grow throughout the novel.This book does seem to start off with a noticeable lack of focus. The author tells the story from a several different points in time, jumping back and forth between periods in his life. Hearing the story from the start and the finish concurrently can be a little overwhelming at first, but that is soon remedied. By the end of the book, I was wishing that there were more cigarettes in a pack. This is a very worthy read for smokers and non-smokers alike.