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A review by astrangewind
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
Oh, I love books written by poets. Ocean Vuong's attention to detail - to the smallest pieces that define human existence - add color to an otherwise difficult world. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous flows from one chapter, one paragraph, one sentence to the next with such captivating language, such vivid imagery.
My one issue with this book, and with Vuong as a poet, is that the writing sometimes abstracts itself so far away that it is nearly impossible to tell what is happening. And maybe the point is to blur the lines between the real and the not, like between a dream and a memory - but it's damn hard to read.
My one issue with this book, and with Vuong as a poet, is that the writing sometimes abstracts itself so far away that it is nearly impossible to tell what is happening. And maybe the point is to blur the lines between the real and the not, like between a dream and a memory - but it's damn hard to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: War
Minor: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Domestic abuse