A review by baccoamon
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Ocean Vuong will be remembered as one of the masters of language and lyric. This is more of a portrait of a soul than it is a traditional novel. Vuong's beautiful and precise perspectives create a theater of the mind in a way that will leave the reader feeling every emotion as if it were their own. This book is not for readers who are not a fan of poetic prose. Vuong leans into his strengths but it can run a bit tedious for the readers who are not familiar or a fan of his poems. A masterful work that doesn't shy away from the complicated nature of culture, identity, immigration, self discovery, and queerness. 

This read is stark and moving but it could be too rattling for some readers. Read trigger warnings and know that the gruesome details do lead to a catharsis of sorts within the over arching ideas expressed. 
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