The Smoke

Simon Ings' The Smoke explores themes of love, loss, and loneliness set against a fractured, incomprehensible world where humanity has diverged into three species. As the race to reach the stars intensifies amid the backdrop of an impending war, the story returns to a familiar Yorkshire town, contrasting the old life with a distant, unfathomable cityscape. The narrative hints at personal struggles and the enduring pull of love, suggesting it remains intertwined with the characters’ lives despite their efforts to move on.