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

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Definitely the most beautiful prose I’ve ever witnessed in my life, I underlined so many incredible sentences. At one point he describes his language like a shipwreck very fragmented with pieces coming to the shore out of order and that’s a good description of how the plot unfolds. Occasionally hard to follow but not impossible and amazing portrayal of flawed but endearing characters. So sad and emotional with tiny sparks of hope. There was a scene of animal cruelty early on in the book which really turned me off for a while but the whole book is impressively unflinching. Will definitely be reading all Ocean’s future books. It’s just gorgeous, excuse the pun!
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