On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Hartford, Connecticut

Man, every once in a while there comes along a book that just rocks you to the core. That you are held in a grip by every word. That was On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous for me.

It's hard to even describe this book. It's raw and graphic and beautiful and meaningful. It's just...powerful. I listened to the audiobook (which is narrated by Vuong herself), and her performance made the book that much better.

This book describes the power of love in so many different forms as well as the struggles of being an immigrant, a first generation American, being a gay man, and living through the Opioid crisis in a world that seems to have no hope.

The best compliment I can give this book is that it reminds me of one of my other favorite books: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Go read that book, and go read On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous. You will not regret it.

Review by the Numbers:

Overall: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Character Development: 5/5

Message: 5/5

- Connecticut (Reading My Way Around the World Challenge)

- A Book About Asian/Middle Eastern Experiences (My Diversity Challenge)

- #ownvoices Book (Celebrity Readers 2021 Diversity Reading Challenge)

- A Book with a Black and White Cover (2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge)