Ocean Vuong, acclaimed for his poetry collection “Night Sky with Exit Wounds,” now presents his debut novel, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” which mirrors the lyrical and poignant style of his poetry. Through a series of letters penned by Little Dog to his illiterate mother, Rose, the narrative unfolds. Little Dog traverses his childhood and challenging adolescent years as a gay immigrant in blue-collar Hartford, Connecticut, delving into poignant memories like his mother mistakenly assaulting her sister’s old home or the intimate act of rubbing Vick’s VapoRub on her back. The narrative also delves into Little Dog’s first romantic encounter with a boy named Trevor on a tobacco farm where he worked underage, weaving together themes of aging, loss of innocence, intergenerational trauma, and a complex American identity.
The novel cleverly interlaces plot with a unique narrative style, continually reminding readers of the inherent confessional thread running through the letters. Each anecdote shared by Little Dog, whether traumatic or tender, is colored by the context of being addressed to his mother. The roles of teacher and learner become blurred as Little Dog attempts to fathom his mother’s mind while laying bare his own experiences. Vuong’s narrative technique, utilizing the term “you” throughout the text, creates a dual tension between the recounted events and the evolving mother-son relationship on display. As Little Dog navigates memories of both pain and affection, readers are left contemplating whether Rose will ever read his letters and truly understand her son.
While Vuong’s poetry evokes emotion through sound and space, his novel explores language’s power to both include and exclude. Little Dog muses on the complexities of the mother tongue and its impact on personal identity, especially within the context of his family’s struggles with language and memory. As a writer, Little Dog grapples with the constraints of language, attempting to bridge the communication gap between himself and his matriarchs. This exploration of language underscores the novel’s thematic depth and emotional resonance.
“On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” defies traditional genre categorizations, offering a narrative that blurs the lines between novel and braided essay. At its core, the book presents a poignant coming-of-age story of a queer Vietnamese boy, a narrative often overlooked in mainstream American literature. Amidst a burgeoning Asian American creative movement, Vuong’s novel stands as a significant contribution, aligning with a broader cultural shift towards diverse and authentic representation. The book serves as a poignant reflection on identity, family, and the enduring power of self-expression.
Within the letters of “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” readers find love letters to the women who shaped Little Dog’s life, intertwined with a quest for self-discovery and expression. The novel prompts introspection on identity beyond external perceptions and emphasizes beauty as a lens through which to see oneself. By narrating his pain, joy, and journey of self-discovery, Little Dog assigns significance to his experiences, breathing life into his memories and forging a deeper connection with his past.
