Tree of Smoke

by Denis Johnson · 2007

Tree of Smoke follows Skip Sands, a CIA operative engaged in psychological operations during the Vietnam War, whose life is complicated by his legendary uncle, Colonel Francis Sands. The narrative also tracks the Houston brothers, Bill and James, who transition from the Arizona desert into the chaos of the war. The novel explores themes of human folly, loneliness, and the blurring lines between disinformation and delusion, offering a gritty, sympathetic portrait of individuals caught in the violence and moral ambiguity of the conflict.