On Earth We're Briefly GorgeousOn Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
Score Modern
What it's about
Ocean Vuong's novel is a letter from a son, Little Dog, to a mother who cannot read. Written in his late twenties, it unearths a family history rooted in Vietnam and opens parts of his life his mother has never known, leading to an unforgettable revelation.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most acclaimed debut novels of its decade, from a celebrated poet.
You'll love it if you liked
The Emperor of Gladness
The Sympathizer
Giovanni's RoomGood to know
It's poetic and fragmentary, more lyrical than plot-driven. It deals with abuse and addiction.
By the numbers
- Readers52 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller35 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #219 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #988 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1831 of the 2,816 books we rank
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most acclaimed debut novels of its decade, from a celebrated poet. It ranks #1,831 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous about?
Ocean Vuong's novel is a letter from a son, Little Dog, to a mother who cannot read. Written in his late twenties, it unearths a family history rooted in Vietnam and opens parts of his life his mother has never known, leading to an unforgettable revelation.
How long does it take to read On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous?
About 6 hours (252 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous?
If you liked it, try The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen or Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin.