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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

By Ocean Vuong
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a poignant coming-of-age novel exploring the life of Little Dog, a Vietnamese American boy, who writes a letter to his illiterate mother. The narrative unfurls his family's history, touching on themes of identity, love, trauma, and the immigrant experience. Through lyrical prose, the novel delves deeply into the complexities of human emotions and the power of storytelling.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a deeply poetic and emotional narrative that explores identity, family, and the immigrant experience. It delves into the complexities of relationships and memories with beautiful and evocative prose, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy introspective and heartfelt storytelling.

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On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

** Sunday Times Bestseller **

Brilliant, heartbreaking and highly original, Ocean Vuong's debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, and a testament to the redemptive power of storytelling.

'A marvel' Marlon James

This is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read.

The New York Times bestselling debut novel from the prize-winning prodigy

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Sunday Times bestselling debut novel from the prize-winning prodigy.

Sunday Times Bestseller

Brilliant, heart-breaking and highly original, TikTok has fallen in love with Ocean Vuong's shattering portrait of a family.

This is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family's history that began before he was born. It tells of Vietnam, of the lasting impact of war, and of his family's struggle to forge a new future. It serves as a doorway into parts of Little Dog's life his mother has never known - episodes of bewilderment, fear and passion - all the while moving closer to an unforgettable revelation.

'A marvel' — Marlon James

'Luminous, shattering, urgent, necessary' — Celeste Ng

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous has been praised for its stunning, lyrical prose and emotional depth. Critics highlight Vuong's exceptional ability to weave poetry into a narrative that explores themes of identity, race, and family. The novel is celebrated for its raw beauty and exploration of the human experience, with reviewers often noting its capacity to evoke deep feelings and its unique approach to storytelling.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529110685

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 183g

Pages: 256

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Featured Fiction General Fiction In-Stock Fiction Books Literary Fiction New Release Fiction New Zealand's Best Selling Books Ocean Vuong Penguin Books

About the Author

Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds and the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the 2019 MacArthur "Genius" Grant, he is also the winner of the Whiting Award and the T.S. Eliot Prize. His writings have been featured in Atlantic, Harper's Magazine, Nation, New Republic, New Yorker, and the New York Times. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.

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