cosom 's review for:

Der Kaiser der Freude by Ocean Vuong

4.25

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is a very slow book, focusing on the mundane activities of life, but it manages to explore so many different themes, such as found family, memory loss, addiction, mental health, etc. It took me a bit to get into the story, but after a bit i was soo into the slowness of it, getting to know the characters and just following them as the seasons change. 

One of my Favourite tropes in books is found family and i very much enjoyed the way it was written here. Not only Hai's friendship with Grazina (which was beautiful), but also him reconnecting with his cousin and through him finding a group of quirky misfits where he feels at home.

The writing was also gorgeous, as expected. I've loved Ocean Vuong's writing in everything I've read by him and he just continues to show how skilled he is.

My only real complaint is i wish some things would have been resolved by the end, such as

Hai's substance abuse and him rekindling with his mum

. i also feel like a romance plotline was kinda set up, that didn't get exlored enough in my opinion. I'm usually not the biggest fan of romance, but i feel like it would've fit the story nicely. I just love queer love and always want more of it!!