Posted by JJK on November 28, 2014 at 11:24:40:
In Reply to: Two Vietnam Books: Tree of Smoke Versus My Vitenam War posted by WJH on November 23, 2014 at 13:19:59:
: I’m interested in the Vietnam War, so after Denis Johnson’s book, “Tree of Smoke” won the National Book Award, I had to read it. What a disappointment. The book is totally boring, overly long, and it lacks any passion or plot (read the review at the Atlantic Monthly). Then, last year, another book about the Vietnam War came out, “My Vietnam War,” by E.E. “doc” Murdock. What a difference: the story is powerfully told and totally engrossing from the first page to the last. Truly a great book. Read them both and decide for yourself: which one of these books about the Vietnam War should have won the National Book Award.
I read the opening chapters of Tree of Smoke at Amazon.com. Based on that first chapter, you are right, the story goes nowhere. Boring. Then I read the first chapter of My Vietnam War at Amazon and immediately ordered it. Very powerful, engrossing. When I get my copy in the mail, I'll let you all know if the rest of the book is as good as that first chapter.