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A review by analia
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The title alone is striking and hints at the weight of the book. Such a heavy, gorgeously written story. The author packs so much into each sentence, I found myself rereading things over and over, to fully digest each word and its implications. Sometimes this style of writing feels too over the top for me, but it was just the right amount.
Trevor and Little Dog's relationship is written with such care, humor, sadness. Lan and Rose... their stories are haunting. I read this book as my grandmother's health began declining and it hit close to home.
I listened to an interview with the author after reading the book and I think they do such a wonderful job of writing autobiographical fiction. It feels very real; I appreciate their sentiment of not wanting to write a memoir and profit off the trauma of their loved ones. Overall a quiet, beautiful, disturbing, memorable novel about the overwhelming sadness present in the poor queer Vietnamese American experience.
Trevor and Little Dog's relationship is written with such care, humor, sadness. Lan and Rose... their stories are haunting. I read this book as my grandmother's health began declining and it hit close to home.
I listened to an interview with the author after reading the book and I think they do such a wonderful job of writing autobiographical fiction. It feels very real; I appreciate their sentiment of not wanting to write a memoir and profit off the trauma of their loved ones. Overall a quiet, beautiful, disturbing, memorable novel about the overwhelming sadness present in the poor queer Vietnamese American experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual violence