Tree of Smoke: A Novel by Denis Johnson
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Book Reviews of Tree of Smoke: A Novel
Book Review: Gave it 200 Pages and Finally Gave Up
Summary: 1 Stars
I read somewhere around 100-125 books a year, finishing all but a handful -- unfortunately, this National Book Award-winner falls into that handful. After reading and hearing a number of glowing reviews about the book, I decided to give it a try since I have a passing interest in fiction about the Vietnam War. I ended up giving it a fairly substantial try -- I gave it about 200 pages to hook me, dazzle me, move me, do something to me, but it just never did. After investing that much time in flat characters and action that didn't seem to be leading anywhere, I finally gave up and picked up another lengthy, much-heralded Vietnam novel instead: Matterhorn (That book, despite a few lapses into didacticism, at least has characters that feel human, some semblance of a plot, and a palpable ring of authenticity that can't be ignored.). Maybe this gets suddenly better on page 201, but life's too short for me to read on in such hope.Book Review: great disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
i was very excited when i bought this book- vietnam war, cia, espionage. plus johnson had a rep as a good writer.
but honestly this book was horrible-
i cant even finish it - im on page 500 and i STILL dont know what the point of the book is .
the characters are totally one dimensional- or as in the case of the double agent Trung.. totally unbelieveable. (wrong mind in the wrong body )
and every so often some real lame philosophical discussions take place.
very dissapointing indeed.
want to see how a great war book is done. read Mailers- the naked and the dead or Alls quiet on the western front - this book is crap
Book Review: Tell me a story, daddy
Summary: 1 Stars
I believed the fancy-a** reviewers who as good as told me that this the book of the year and then some. From beginning to end, I didn't know what was going on, and why.
Oh, yeah, I hear it. "You are one of those 'tell me a story, daddy' pre-schoolers." Yes, I am very old fshioned. Give me Jane Austen anytime.
Or Mailer's The Naked and the Dead: that platoon's experience was as bad as anything that went down in VietNam; all frontline war is hideous.
Why did the colonel do this; why did Skip do that? And who hired the German to do what? And why? But I repeat myself. Not only did I hate this book, but my wife, who is a good bit smarter, hated it too.
Book Review: A very difficult read
Summary: 1 Stars
I seldom give up on books but I had to abandon this after about 400 pages (yes - it is a long book with about 700 pages!). The author has won many awards and the book had numerous positive reviews that tempted me to buy it. But the heavy symbolism, unconnected characters, slow pace etc makes it very difficult to read. Even after 400 pages, the plot was not clear and the book became very boring.
Though the back of the book carries positive reviews from many well known sources, I would recommend prospective readers to browse through a few of the pages (just the first 2 or 3 will not do) at random and make sure they like this style, before buying it.
Book Review: Ponderous, pointless bore
Summary: 1 Stars
I see this book is on Amazon's suggested summer reading list, and must warn innocents: don't buy it! Your summer will be gone with nothing to show for it. The story moves slooooowwwwwly and is boring to boot. Do yourself a favor: read a few pages before you buy; you can tell right away. It's only the third book I gave up on (Ship of Fools was first, then Walden). Save yourself.