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

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. To think this is a first novel is amazing. Character and story intertwine with circular telling and visceral imagery. The story of a gay Vietnamese-American figuring out his identities and relationships with family and friends as it has not been told. There is so much quotable wisdom in this book. A challenging and stressful. Read, but told with such tenderness and love. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death