Scan barcode
A review by tellatrix
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐'๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ
๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐
Disclaimer: Iโm unable to write reviews without including spoilers, so please read this expecting some.
This is a book I know Iโll need to reread at least two more times to fully grasp all the layers of meaning and messages the author is trying to convey. While I understood the main plot, the metaphors, poetry, and deeper themes often felt elusive. The connections between scenes and ideas required careful attention, and sometimes I got lost in the beautiful, yet intricate, web of words.
Maybe after reading more books, learning new words, or gaining more life experience, Iโll be able to fully understand what Ocean Vuong was trying to say. Right now, I canโt. If someone asked me what this book was about, I donโt think I could give a clear, straightforward answer.
If I said this book was about a Vietnamese family carrying the violence and trauma of war within themโsomething that shaped them, tormented them, and yet also made them beautifulโwould that make sense? Probably not, and even if it did, it wouldnโt come close to capturing the complexity of the story.
This is a book you have to experience for yourself. Even then, you might not find all the answers on your first readโjust like me. But I know Iโll revisit it. Each time, I hope to uncover new layers, new words to explain what this book means.
For me, though, this book wasnโt as sad as some might say. I found it more hopeful. Others may disagree, but I couldnโt shake the feeling of hope running through it. Hope for what? Iโm not sure. Maybe it wasnโt hope tied to action or outcomesโjust hope as a feeling, a quiet presence.
Iโll end this review with a quote that stayed with me the most from my reading:
โI miss you more than I remember you.โ
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Outing, and War