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Literary Fiction· United States

Tree of Smoke

by Denis Johnson
Aggregate Editorial Score72/100
★National Book Award
Published 2008649 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Tree of Smoke (2008) by Denis Johnson continues to receive. Skip Sands, a CIA operative in Vietnam following his legendary uncle, navigates the moral swamp of the war in Johnson's National Book Award winner. Written in a haunted, hallucinatory prose, it is one of the most ambitious novels about the Vietnam War. Themes of Vietnam War, CIA, moral ambiguity run through the work. The book has received recognition from National Book Award 2008.

Book Details

AuthorDenis Johnson
Published2008
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages649
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780312427740
Editorial Score72/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Denis Johnson published Tree of Smoke in 2008, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from United States. The book's treatment of Vietnam War, CIA, moral ambiguity, family accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Among its recognitions: National Book Award 2008. With an editorial score of 72/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. Readers coming to Tree of Smoke for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of Vietnam War, CIA, moral ambiguity, family is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Tree of Smoke reflects Denis Johnson's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

National Book Award
winner · national
200866
✍️
About the Author
Denis Johnson
United States
View Author →

Denis Johnson is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tree of Smoke about?

Skip Sands, a CIA operative in Vietnam following his legendary uncle, navigates the moral swamp of the war in Johnson's National Book Award winner. Written in a haunted, hallucinatory prose, it is one of the most ambitious novels about the Vietnam War.

Who wrote Tree of Smoke?

Tree of Smoke was written by Denis Johnson, from United States. First published in 2008.

What awards has Tree of Smoke won?

Tree of Smoke has received the following awards and honours: National Book Award 2008.

Is Tree of Smoke worth reading?

Tree of Smoke is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 66/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in Vietnam War, CIA, moral ambiguity.

Where can I buy Tree of Smoke?

You can buy Tree of Smoke on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Tree of Smoke?

Tree of Smoke is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Tree of Smoke from?

Tree of Smoke originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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