You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As always, Vuong writes with incredible grace. Each sentence is lush, each line of dialogue poignant. I loved how funny it was too, even in the midst of the heaviest moments. Vuong reminds me why I am a writer, and why I love being alive. A masterpiece of this century and probably my favorite 2025 read so far.
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a surprise to me. I didn’t anticipate enjoying it as much as I thought I would. The characters were heartwarming and the bonds they formed were wholesome and loving. The book was slo unexpectedly funny at parts and had me laughing out loud while questioning if my laughter was appropriate. Overall, a great read.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
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
Loved this book except the ending. Can't recommend knowing the ending isn't satisfying.
emotional
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
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
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vuong is such a master at making the mundane aspects of small town America beautiful without romanticizing them. You feel deeply for each character as they struggle through life, but the moments they are together make it all worth it. I'll be forever envious of his prose--the way he wraps each sentence lovingly in metaphor makes the book feel so lush.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content