We all must decide for ourselves the meaning and significance of the smile.

I have read the book, the screenplay, the dialogue transcript and watched the film several times. I would prefer it if things after 1933 actually happened rather than being a dream.

If like me you don't agree with the opium dream theory, I am not sure how you can say that Noodles is smiling in 1933 because of something that happens in 1968.

The book does throw up a few thoughts:

- what was Harry Grey/Goldberg's real name?
- are most of the facts in the book true?
- did Max actually dupe Noodles in real life?
- why was he in Sing Sing prison?
- what did he do after 1933?