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lesmursregardent 's review for:
The Emperor of Gladness
by Ocean Vuong
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A new American classic, one that truly speaks to the times we live in and the issues real people actually face. Touched by war and altered mental states, the characters of this strange and beautiful novel are loveable and memorable.
Ocean takes quite a bit from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and reworks it into something exceptionally unique. It’s an immersion into the beauty of the mundane, a hommage to working class heroes, and a world that sucks you straight in.
What I didn’t love, as an autistic person, were some of the ways in which the autistic character was approached— particularly the line “you punched me, you’re autistic.” It was just a bit random and I didn’t quite get it, but I’ll forgive it because the book was weird and wonderful and I very much enjoyed this read. Rating 4.75 stars rather than 5 because I feel some things could have been better refined, but it was nearly perfect in my opinion!
Ocean takes quite a bit from On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and reworks it into something exceptionally unique. It’s an immersion into the beauty of the mundane, a hommage to working class heroes, and a world that sucks you straight in.
What I didn’t love, as an autistic person, were some of the ways in which the autistic character was approached— particularly the line “you punched me, you’re autistic.” It was just a bit random and I didn’t quite get it, but I’ll forgive it because the book was weird and wonderful and I very much enjoyed this read. Rating 4.75 stars rather than 5 because I feel some things could have been better refined, but it was nearly perfect in my opinion!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Dementia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, War
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse