Book Review: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous has been causing waves in the literary world, and rightfully so. Told through the lens of a mother-son relationship, this book comments on love, family, identity, and the immigrant experience. Ocean Vuong is certainly making his mark, pushing boundaries with his unique style and bold storytelling.

I hope you enjoy the prose and riveting narrative and encourage a dialogue about the experiences the book explores. This narrative underscores the power of words and their ability to make us feel the beauty and fragility of our shared human experience.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Synopsis

This poignant novel is written as a letter from a Vietnamese-American son, Little Dog. He writes to his illiterate mother, who remains unaware of the contents due to her inability to read. We learn about their family history in Vietnam and the challenging relationship between him and his single mother.

Now in his late twenties, Little Dog spills the secrets of his life story. He talks about the difficulties they’ve faced together and reveals parts of his life his mother never knew. The book takes a hard look at subjects like race, class, and what it means to be a man. It doesn’t shy away from discussing problems like addiction, violence, and trauma often found in American society. 

The novel addresses the challenging question of how we can survive our traumas without losing our identities and find a sense of joy amidst struggle. Although he doesn’t want his mother to read this letter, writing it helps express all the things they’ve left unsaid and all the tears they’ve never cried.

My Review:

From the moment I began reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, I was drawn in by Vuong’s artful prose and vivid storytelling. As someone who appreciates the depth and nuance of language, the poetic qualities of Vuong’s writing left a deep impression on me. The story’s landscape, filled with raw and honest narratives of the immigrant and queer experience, was compelling, and its intensity was both heart-rending and beautiful.

As I journeyed through Little Dog’s life, I found myself emotionally invested in his experiences. The struggles of his mother, Rose, and his grandmother, Lan, painted a picture of the enduring trauma of The Vietnam War and the hardships of the immigrant experience. Yet, despite the harsh realities of their lives, what struck me most was their quiet resilience and determination.

Little Dog’s narrative also exposes his own experience as a queer individual. He shares his secret love affair with a rough-hewn American teenager battling drug addiction. His relationship, filled with the complexities of first love and heartbreak, is a stark depiction of young love and loss. This part of the story gives us an inside view of the turbulent world of LGBTQ+ youth, figuring out who they are in a society with set expectations.

Reading On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous felt like an intimate conversation, a deep dive into the complexities of human emotions and experiences. I was touched by the sincerity and truth in Little Dog’s letter to his mother. It showed me how powerful words and storytelling can be in revealing the hidden parts of society.

While this book is emotionally charged and may not be an easy read, it is profoundly meaningful. It showed me a world removed from my own and challenged me to empathize and understand better. It left a lasting impact on me, reminding me of our shared humanity and the fleeting but beautiful moments in our lives.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a story to feel, understand, and think about. Just like its title, it’s a brief but incredible journey.

If you found this review helpful, you can check out the book at Bookshop.org here and support local bookstores along the way!