TREE OF SMOKE by Denis Johnson
55%
Because it’s his first full-length novel in nine years…
25%
…plus our lingering affection for Jesus’ Son…
20%
…and it’s timely: a Vietnam epic about a war that can’t be won.
Best case: Jesus’ Son in the jungle.
Worst case: Apocalypse Now Redux, redux.
BRIDGE OF SIGHS by Richard Russo
46%
Because we loved Empire Falls, Russo’s Pulitzer-winning novel…
33%
…and Empire Falls, the HBO mini-series…
21%
…and this time, it’s Russo in Venice!
Best case: Empire Falls with gondoliers.
Worst case: A 544-page paddle upstream.