30 NOVEMBER 1991, Page 33

Sophisticated argument

Sir: Neil Lyndon has worked himself up into such a state that he cannot tell the dif- ference between debate and censorship (The wrongs of women', 23 November). I find Martin Amis's novels quite unreadable but I certainly don't believe they should be banned. What I do believe is that I have as much right to my opinions as Lyndon to his — and that a short list for a major fiction prize which does not include a single female author is the result of absurd bias.

Incidentally, why is Lyndon so touchy about 'the world's smallest condom'? Do I detect an Edward VIII-style situation here?

Joan Smith

Candlelight Cottage, 78 Church Street, Kidlington, Oxford