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

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 I think my 3-star rating is a product of timing rather than content, but it's difficult for me to separate the two right now.

The novel is beautifully written with vivid imagery and symbolism. The surrealness created by the time-skips is masterful.

It was also devastating - war, abuse, loneliness, rejection, death, animal cruelty, internalized homophobia. And there was very little happiness - and the happiness did pretty much nothing to counteract the constant tragedy. Little Dog seemed friendless, even when he was with friends.

It was probably not wise to read this book 9 months into the pandemic lock-down when I'm tired and sad all the time. I'd say maybe I'll give it another chance, but I don't want to. It made me too sad, and I'm tired of being sad right now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Child death, and Homophobia

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Cancer, and Death

Internalized Homophobia within a queer relationship:

Little Dog's relationship was Trevor was upsetting because Trevor had so much internalized homophobia. He said "I'm not really gay, not like you, I'll be okay soon." and wouldn't allow Little Dog to top him because he "didn't want to feel like a bitch."

Abortion/pregnancy loss:

Rose had a late-term abortion because some pills she was given didn't work to terminate the pregnancy. The description of the abortion was graphic and upsetting

Animal Death: There are no pets that die, but animal death is described in graphic, gory detail throughout the book.