Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

15 reviews

claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Violence, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual content, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Self harm, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Genocide, Cancer, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

sinchan's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, War, Xenophobia, and Violence

rudi1452's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide

atsundarsingh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

I didn't know what to expect of a poet's first novel, but this is so lyrically written it hurts even when it's good. I love the epistolary format, and even more so because it's written to someone who may never read it. I was also really taken by the way Vuong writes about loving a parent who is violent but whose violence is understandable in a sense, since it comes from a series of overlapping traumas and still being angry or helpless with that parent. Really moving and bold novel, with some hard to read content. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia

tasleemreads's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

#OnEarthWereBrieflyGorgeous is a top tier read. Ocean Vuong and the women in his life; mother and grandmother who escaped the Vietnamese war, settle in America. This book is a letter Vuong writes directly to his mother, who understands very little English, giving Vuong the courage to share all of his thoughts, feelings and not hold anything back. This gave readers an even deeper insight into his life, troubles and hardships. It was surprisingly intimate, like I had Vuong's personal journal and had access to his private thoughts and sacred experiences, which I basically did ~ I loved it! ~

I haven't come across writing like this and was taken aback by how poetic and beautiful it is. I often re-read passages and had to take a moment to really process what was being shared and the depth of his thoughts. As an immigrant, gay man and only child, Vuong struggled with acceptance, belonging and the familial pressures placed on him. Themes like sexuality, family, relationships, love and trauma were explored with such raw honesty, it was breathtaking.

I would recommend this book to everyone!! An amazing book that will leave you thinking about it ages after you've put it down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Addiction, and Drug abuse