:)’s Reviews > On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous > Status Update

it feels silly to just read this book, i feel like i should be reflecting and actually trying to see what the author sees every time he writes something

ocean vuong is a fantastic audiobook reader, i’m ABSORBED

i’m too stupid for this book

when i tried to read this before, i thought it was too poetic for me to understand the true emotions and story behind the flowery words. but this time round it makes sense and i can’t stop thinking about how the author really captures the essence of every moment. the attention to detail and the description of those details are just STUNNING.

i’m starting again

“but no one glared at you with questions in their eyes.”

but actually i think, the description amplifies the emotions they feel when they reminisce on their memories. as i progress further into the book, i think the writing style reflects the complex feelings they have towards what vietnam means to them. that despite everything, a part of their heart will always remain with the memories they didn’t get chance to create.

at times as i’ve read this book i thought that it’s almost too poetic, that some of the descriptions almost romanticise the trauma that his family has suffered.

the parallels vuong draws between the macaque monkey and his mother + grandmother is terrifying.