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“I never finished Johnson's "Already Dead" a couple years back. Too slow, no plot, out of focus. But his acclaimed slim collection of stories "Jesus Son" was as advertised. I had a good feeling about "Tree of Smoke." Vietnam's a great subject, even if it's been done to death. Then there was that good critical buzz (hey, it won the National Book Award while I was in the middle of it). And, maybe it shouldn't matter, but the book jacket design is brilliant.
Overall, I it was very very good, except the ending. The story's told through the POV of several occasionally interlocking characters living through the war--all broken or flawed in someway, but mainly sympathetic. Maybe the least sympathetic is Skip, a CIA agent who spends much of the war on its sidelines, living in the shadow of his larger-than-life uncle, the Colonel-- a heavy drinking slightly insane war-loving character reminiscent of the one played by Robert Duval in Apocalypse Now. Tree of Smoke doesn't have much plot. There's one beautifully written battle scene, vague plans made involving a double agent, and the Colonel's hazy projects for Skip, including reordering a card catalog and collecting local folklore. The book touches on big theme--loss of faith, family connections and the evils of war. The writing is excellent (agree w/ Andrew F. below about the brilliant opening sequence) and the book aims high and hits some great chords (agree with Gordon H. below about violence amid beauty and grace amid violence) , but ultimately, I wish it a bit more cohesive and in focus. But perhaps what Johnson is trying to convey is the confusion and irrationality of the war and how nothing can be known for sure.”
Tim P. wrote this review Wednesday, November 21 2007.
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