55 pages • 1 hour read
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246
Novel • Fiction
Connecticut • 1990s
2019
Adult
18+ years
In On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Little Dog grows up in a working-class neighborhood of Hartford, Connecticut, raised by his mother, Rose, and his grandmother, Lan, who immigrated from Vietnam. At age 28, he writes a letter to his illiterate mother to examine the loss, trauma, and love that have shaped their lives. Throughout the novel, Little Dog faces hardships including bullying, familial abuse, and challenging relationships, ultimately seeking to make sense of his identity and the fleeting nature of beauty and life. The book includes sensitive topics such as substance use, domestic violence, and the impact of trauma.
Emotional
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
347,090 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous captivates with its poetic prose and raw emotional intensity. The novel's fragmented structure and deeply personal narrative are praised for their beauty and vulnerability. However, some critics find the nonlinear storytelling challenging and the pace occasionally slow. Overall, it is hailed as a potent, unforgettable debut.
A reader who would enjoy On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong is likely drawn to lyrical prose, deeply personal narratives, and themes of identity, family, and trauma. Comparable to works like The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen and Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman, this book appeals to those who appreciate introspective and evocative storytelling.
347,090 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
246
Novel • Fiction
Connecticut • 1990s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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