# Denis Johnson's Tree of Smoke

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denis-johnsons-tree-of-smoke/918320>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 17, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denis-johnsons-tree-of-smoke/918320 "2020-08-17T14:11:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denis-johnsons-tree-of-smoke/918320/1 "2020-08-17T14:11:09Z")

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I just finished re-reading _Tree of Smoke_ and have this burning (haha) urge to talk about it with others. While I feel like I grasped the novel a little better this time around, I’d love to hear others’ perspectives.

(_may contain spoilers_)

The first time I read it (in 2009 or 2010) I remember being dazzled but coming up somewhat empty toward the end – like “Huh? What just happened?” This time I realize that reaction is exactly what you’re supposed to have, as it mirrors the experience of Skip Sands, the idealist who comes to Vietnam to save democracy and, without noticing or even understanding why, watches that mission devolve into confusion and pointlessness.

But how to explain the ending, with broken, disiliusioned Kathy Jones having a revelation that “All will be saved”? It can’t be literal, but it’s clearly not ironic, either. What does “saved” mean?

Oh man, what a read. Anyone else have a strong reaction to this novel?