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

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated
It's hard to describe this book because it's both ethereal and unconventional. The glimpses that Vuong shows of war, culture, addiction, sexuality, family, and coming of age all come together in a sort of collage that creates a full picture of Little Dog. I was more drawn to the narrative-style parts of the book; I don't think I'm the best reader for the more poetic passages, which could sometimes feel opaque to me. I think the writing style was innovative and deliberate, and I wish I was a bit more of a literary reader so that I could appreciate it more.
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