Thoughts Without Cigarettes

From the first Cuban American author to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, this exquisite memoir recounts the people and places that shaped a literary genius; reissued with a new foreword by Junot Díaz

Oscar Hijuelos's bold and impactful novels exploring the immigrant experience established him as a leading voice in Latin American literature. In Thoughts Without Cigarettes, Hijuelos tells his own story for the first time, introducing readers to the colorful characters and indelible memories that inspired his writing across decades.

Set against the bustling backdrop of Manhattan's Morningside Heights, Hijuelos's memoir reveals the fraught circumstances of his upbringing as a child to working-class Cuban immigrants.

Thoughts Without Cigarettes retells Hijuelos's past with vivid and intimate detail—from a long-term stay in the hospital as a child which caused him to forget his mother tongue, to entering the bustling literary community of New York City. Under the mentorship of Susan Sontag and Donald Barthelme, Hijuelos drew inspiration from his Cuban roots in his writing, as exemplified by his best-know novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love.


First published in 2011, Thoughts Without Cigarettes remains a moving, human story of loss in its many forms, and proves the power of literature can carry us forward. Fifteen years on, Beacon Press's reissued edition will make Oscar's memoir available to new audiences and generations to come.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs