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Ocean Vuong: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Hardcover, 2019, Jonathan Cape) 4 stars

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who …

Review of "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This was a quick read, but incredibly insightful and thought provoking. I was expecting a heartfelt recollection of memories of the author's mother, but there was so much more. I was surprised at the thick, almost tangible nostalgia the author conveyed through their descriptions of their adolescence in Hartford. But I found the story shined brightest during the parts about the author's complex relationship with his family.

With that being said, there were moments where the narrative felt weak and fractured. I found myself skimming through the parts that were more monologuing than insightful. Overall, a good read that I would recommend.