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

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

All this time I told myself we were born from war – but I was wrong, Ma. We were born from beauty. Let no one mistake us for the fruit of violence – but that violence, having passed through the fruit, failed to spoil us.

What an incredible novel. Vuong's beautiful, poetic and yet very poignant writing style was so enchanting. I think it only speaks to his talent how he was able to capture so much beauty and heartbreak in letters that tell the stories of war, grief, love, motherhood, and otherness. It's very hard for me to believe that this was not entirely autobiographical because everything was so full of life and fleshed out. I'll be thinking about this book for a while.