On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous and Time Is a Mother: 2 books collection set

by Ocean Vuong

388 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time is a Mother, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the American Book Award and the MacArthur “Genius Grant," he has also worked as a line cook, tobacco harvester, nursing home volunteer, and fast-food server, the latter becoming inspiration for The Emperor of Gladness. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about so many (too many) things - Vietnam, escaping Vietnam, rural America, mental illness, homosexuality, coming of age, animal cruelty and more. Written very poetically which I loved but maybe trying to do too much in quite a short novel for me to give it 5 stars

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Did you know people get rich off of sadness? I want to meet the millionaire of American sadness. I want to look him in the eye, shake his hand, and say, 'it's been an honor to serve my country."

"I miss you more than I remember you."

"You once told me that the human eye is god's loneliest creation. How so much of the world passes through the pupil and still it holds nothing. The eye, alone in its socket, doesn't even know there's another one, just like it, an inch away, just as hungry, as empty."

"They say nothing lasts forever but they're just scared it will last longer than they can love it."

"Because the sunset, like survival, exists only on the verge of its own disappearing. To be gorgeous, you must first be seen, but to be seen allows you to be hunted."

[Gigi Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! So expertly written. I don't enjoy poetry that much but Ocean Vuong does an excellent job meshing different narratives with descriptive poetic language. A heart wrenching read for sure. Definitely in my top 5 favorite books!

[Helene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad & overwhelming…violent & dark undertones…amazingly written with prose & poetry…a son’s English letters to a mother who can’t read-it’s an immigrants story of family, friends & community!

[Sheila Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a harrowing read about the struggle of Vietnamese family who arrive to the USA and understand they are ‘the other’, survivors and products of the Vietnam war.

The novel traverses between the coming of age of Little Dig, the history of the protagonists maternal grandmother, his mother and his ‘grandfather’. It deals with topics of racism, gender identity, social class divide and education, the latter being very of vital significance to this novels protagonist.

The prose is unique with distinctive language and the use of poetry which has an effect on the flow of the reader’s experience with this novel. A clever device to create a narrative that is more powerful.

[Michael Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indepth, thorough and intriguing. However, I did not always agree with the author's interpretive nature of assuming to understand what they were feeling or thinking, and forcing these interpretations by consistent repetition. They still had an amazing and extremely interesting life.

[Hui Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous writing ocean vuong I want to hug u

[Cherie Zavala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing 10/10 mwah chefs kiss.

[laurel sheard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think we have more power over who we are and how we tell our stories to ourselves and others.

[Lynda Stritof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful introspective love letter to the author’s mother. Poetic, beautiful prose that is hauntingly sad and hopeful at the same time.

[Stefan Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violence carved in families, bodies and territories. Vietnam and Midwest. utter sadness and some glimpse of coming home. beautifully written.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the best book i have ever read. I always want to go back and read it again. i love it more then anything.