Now that Denis Johnson’s Tree of Smoke has won the National Book Award, you’re more likely to pick it up (and put it down again). But your expectations have likely moved on to the heart of hype-ness anyway: Oscar-bait month. This year, Hollywood’s betting big on literature. Atonement may not live up to its buzz, but what about Persepolis? Diving Bell? All this, just as critics have finally finished debating whether No Country for Old Men is the best Coen brothers movie ever or merely one of the best. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t be surprised if you find yourself longing for Fargo.

Related:

• Archive: “Book Features”
• Articles by Boris Kachka
• Table of Contents: December 10, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!