Reviews

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

katiesmcclendon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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? Yes

4.0

kaiolenatac's review against another edition

5.0

I cried again and again and again. 

ao3_is_better's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad

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

5.0

Cried so many times. SO MANY TIMES. This book has touched a side of me I never even knew existed, changed me and by that I mean really changed the way I experience the world. 
Vuong has a unique, poetic and emotional writing style that can find a metaphor behind anything. He really is a genius. This book won't be for everyone because of the poetic way its delivered. You have to have somewhat of a sense of how to interpret metaphors otherwise the images and messages of the book will really fly over your head. But it you work hard to try to understand the metaphors and really place yourself in the setting, you are rewarded with the most raw, emotional and touching experience. 

mxunsmiley's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely beautiful! I love Vuong's voice and poetry. I already loved his poetry collection but his prose is just sublime. It's also inspiring to me and makes me want to write my own poetry and prose! I feel like my discovery of Vuong this year was one of its high points. I'm excited to read more of his work in the future. This novel is brutal, but well worth it.

icox's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

chloegenevieve's review against another edition

5.0

I could not put this book down WOW like one of the best books Ive read in a while

Super easy to read while still being so complex and beautiful, like not gatekeeping beautiful writing

And yeah maybe I cried a little

I loved the structure a lot? like how it kinda jumps back and forth and around really kept my brain engaged and like going back and piecing the stories together was lovely

danielamonteiro's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring 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? N/A

3.5

daria_nedelcu19's review

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.0

Enjoyment 3/10
Concept 7/10
Execution 4/10
Writing 5/10
Plot & Logic 3/10
Pacing & Structure 2/10
Atmosphere 7/10
Characters 4/10
Intrigue 2/10

Rating: 2.08/5

weeohh's review against another edition

5.0

raw, heartbreaking, inspirational, honest.
at times, the descriptions were too much, but I felt very scholarly while reading this.

mahovina's review against another edition

5.0

fourth book for the bookclub! I really liked it, I just really love how he writes, you can really see he is a poet
the Trevor part was my favorite because I especially liked how he wrote about him (sort of in a female gaze kinda way)
hopefully, I will return to this book soon