A review by suchsweetsorrow89
Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

ending the year with an ocean vuong bang. having read his last two books, i was curious about what he would do with his latest book— especially considering his mother's death and the staple that she had not just in his life and development into himself, but especially into his writing. in some ways, his mother was his work, she was his poetry. i think what this collection did exceptionally well was honor her and honor that staple that she had. while speaking on his sexuality, identity, and american politics, this collection became new in that it talked about his role as a writer and an artist. i would struggle calling this book poetry because it really reads like an ode: an ode to his mother, an ode to everyone who held a staple in his life, and an ode to his poetry, the persona that he crafted to make something great (and in this sense it also extends to the readers and the consumers). my only advice to people before going into this book is that reading his past texts are essential, since he makes many allusions to his past and his work. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings