Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

311 reviews

emptzuu's review

The author's background in poetry is evident in the prose, but the narrative is marred by layers of seemingly profound yet ultimately nonsensical ramblings and literary flourishes. What begins as a promising plot devolves into a collection of disjointed stories, sacrificing coherence for poetic indulgence. The coming-of-age theme, while present, feels more like a backdrop for the author's poetic musings on suffering, both personal and observed. These reflections often feel hollow, despite the author's persistent attempts at profundity through elevated language. 

The fragmented structure occasionally captures the erratic nature of memory and thought, but fails to coalesce into a cohesive whole. Though there are gripping moments, the absence of sustained narrative threads results in a loss of momentum. The inclusion of graphic content in a letter to the protagonist's mother feels jarring and inconsistent with the theme of trauma.

Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty

skibug's review

So sad. I keep thinking about the monkey and i cry.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

cecropiansea's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Animal death, and War

asuka02's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

diegor's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Amazingly lyrical

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Suicide, Violence, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, and Animal death

mdavis26's review

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Animal death, Racism, Car accident, Mental illness, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Excrement, Grief, Terminal illness, War, Sexual content, Death, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

k_lenn's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, War, and Cancer

delliomellidom's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

It is a beautifully written book; I am in love with the author's prose. The story was non-linear, which made certain portions difficult to know where exactly they fit into the story.

I hadn't known there would be Graphic animal abuse and death. I could have done without it.

There is graphic sex, which was fine with me, but still a little unexpected.

This story is going to stick with me, and I don't doubt there are specific portions I'll be revisiting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, and Homophobia

Moderate: Abortion

ienbdri's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Addiction, Grief, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Cursing, Animal death, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Excrement, Drug use, War, Abortion, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Death, Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Mental illness

a1exander's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Animal cruelty, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, War, Addiction, and Cancer

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Excrement, Sexual content, Animal death, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Car accident, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Violence, Racism, Alcohol, Bullying, and Mental illness