Reviews

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

kaileemily's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-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? No

4.25

betweenthestar's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

readingwithdiksha's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

reader_divya123's review against another edition

1.5

Terrible read with unnecessary metaphors that will leave your brain tired by the end of it.

a_gray's review against another edition

5.0

What a beautiful novel. Vuong truly has a gift for finding the words to describe an exact emotion, feeling, moment. This book romanticizes life while trying to discover what life even is.

boldeststroke's review against another edition

dark reflective sad

4.0

When does a war end? When can I say your name and have it mean only your name and not what you left behind?

really grateful i was finally able to work up the courage to read this after having bought the novel so many years ago. i lost count of the amount of times i had to put it down and take a break from it to pace around my room. vuong toes the line between reality and reverie (because fantasy seems like the wrong word in his case) in a way that i would envy were it not for how devastating it is. to be the kind of person that can write this, especially knowing that the recipient can never read it, takes a willingness that i hardly think i have the guts to do. that sort of bravery is something i can only read about.

tchen0822's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

srkb's review

dark emotional reflective slow-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

lversrock's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, and Drug use

Moderate: War and Grief

Minor: Homophobia

jaxinthebox01's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad

• 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

4.75