Reviews with content warning for War - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - Di Semesta Ini Kita Pernah Gemilang

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Reviews tagging 'War'

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous - Di Semesta Ini Kita Pernah Gemilang by Ocean Vuong

811 reviews

zoekyriacou's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really beautiful book and would highly recommend for poetry lovers in particular, unfortunately the poetic register is something I am not usually a fan of. So heartbreaking and thought provoking.

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booksinherhead's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

An absolutely STUNNING debut. Written from a son to his mother, this novel charts a young queer man's childhood and adolesance, his relationship with his mother, and his relationship with himself. An extraordinary examination of the mother/son dynamic and the plight of Vietnamese immigrants in the early 2000s, this novel is absolutely not one to miss. It's such a short and delicate little book I finished it wanting MORE. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Barabara Kingslover's DEMON COPPERHEAD.

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dniespal's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Written exquisitely. Reads like poetry.

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crw1303's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Beautifully written evocative and reflective story about a Vietnamese boy’s experience growing up in the US.

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sammykat's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book will stay with me for a long time.
In parts beautiful, in parts funny, in parts harrowing. The storytelling is done through letters containing memories, stories and vignettes from the protagonist and his family. The imagery is gorgeous, with each thing described in detailed metaphors invoking real life, emotions, time periods.
Although some parts are upsetting, the book is also uplifting and hopeful. It speaks of better futures.

The LGBT+ elements were beautifully done, sensitive and believable. Similarly, the drugs, pain and deaths were not just plot points to move the story on, but integral elements of the world Vaugn is building for us.

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viv_pcu's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

“Sad” doesn’t do this book justice as a reading mood. The prose was so beautiful I could tell right away this author is a poet. Prepare yourself if you’re going to read this. Every time I set this down I felt emotionally wrecked and hugged a pillow. But absolutely one of the best well-written pieces I’ve ever read, a modern classic in its own right. Didn’t cry but I feel like sobbing. Still worth the read.

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