Tree of Smoke

by Denis Johnson
Tree of Smoke cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 674
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781509829996
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2016-02-11
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Tree of Smoke is Denis Johnson's most ambitious work, set in Southeast Asia and the US, spanning two decades. It follows Skip Sands, a CIA spy entangled in psychological operations against the Viet Cong, while weaving a tapestry of characters to explore the depths of the human condition. Praise for the book includes comparisons to Catch-22 and collaborations between Don DeLillo and Joseph Heller, highlighting its epic scale and rich, surreal storytelling. The novel is a testament to Johnson's unique voice and his ability to blend the absurd with the profound.

Reviews
A Literary Cavalcade · 2017-01-09
challenging 3.50

The novel is challenging to digest but praised for its exploration of the Vietnam War. It is noted for its extensive praise and depth.

The reviewer finds Tree of Smoke to be a difficult novel to digest, which is why they were drawn to it. They appreciate the book's focus on the Vietnam War and the extensive praise it has received. The novel's depth and complexity are highlighted, making it a significant work that requires careful reading. The reviewer notes that while challenging, the book's exploration of its themes is commendable.

Quick quotes

    This 2007 work is a difficult novel to digest.

    I was drawn to it because it is about the Vietnam War and has received extensive praise.

    It is noted for its extensive praise and depth.

The Guardian · Geoff Dyer · 2007-10-26
brilliant 4.00

The novel is described as a sprawling nightmare, captivating yet unsettling. It is praised for its distinctly modern tone and complex narrative.

Geoff Dyer finds himself entranced by Denis Johnson's Tree of Smoke, a book that he describes as a sprawling nightmare. The novel's modern tone and complex narrative are highlighted, making it a captivating yet unsettling read. Dyer appreciates the book's depth and the way it weaves together various elements to create a rich, albeit disturbing, experience. He acknowledges the book's difficulty but also its brilliance in capturing the essence of its themes.

Quick quotes

    A sprawling nightmare in a distinctly modern key.

    Geoff Dyer is entranced by Denis Johnson's Tree of Smoke.

    It is praised for its distinctly modern tone and complex narrative.

The New York Times · 2007-09-02
tremendous 4.50

The book is described as a tremendous and strange entertainment, long but fast-paced. It is noted for its emotional depth and engaging narrative.

The New York Times reviewer describes Tree of Smoke as a tremendous book, a strange entertainment that is very long but very fast-paced. The novel's emotional depth and engaging narrative are highlighted, making it a great whirly ride that starts out sad and gets sadder. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to captivate readers despite its length and the somber tone. The novel's unique style and powerful storytelling are commended.

Quick quotes

    A tremendous book, a strange entertainment, very long but very fast.

    A great whirly ride that starts out sad and gets sadder and sadder.

    The novel's emotional depth and engaging narrative are highlighted.

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