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Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

490 reviews

emptzuu's review against another edition

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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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marmaladecat's review against another edition

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2.5

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pinkblingd's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

I cried a lot over the last few chapters. A part in the beginning traumatized me. The addiction part was triggering. My review is going to be short and brief: 

a truly beautiful book, painful. 


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astrofeldy's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

4.25

A poem? A novel? A memoir? Who’s to say. I’m not sure what just happened, but it was achingly beautiful. I think I liked it. I also couldn’t stand to finish it. A wholly unique experience. An Art. 
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skibug's review against another edition

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So sad. I keep thinking about the monkey and i cry.
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zorazadiezahrah's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lots of really good poetry, but struggling to find the overall message
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cecropiansea's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

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tessa52's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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asuka02's review against another edition

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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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diegor'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
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Amazingly lyrical
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