The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong [ONLINE] - option 1

from NPR's "Book of the Day": "Ocean Vuong's debut novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous placed him in an elite club of American writers. He teaches at NYU and is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, among many other honors. But before all this, the author was raised by working-class Vietnamese immigrant parents in Hartford, Connecticut. Vuong's new novel The Emperor of Gladness takes place in a similar environment and centers on an unlikely friendship between a 19-year-old college dropout named Hai and an 82-year-old with dementia named Grazina. [This novel reframes] our view of the United States and the American dream, describing ugly things in a beautiful way, [including] working in close quarters at a fast food restaurant."

Los Angeles Times: "Magnificent and melancholy ... Its opening pages are as melodic as a symphony ... This is a novel that percolates and simmers, provoking questions about the reader’s privilege while prompting awe at the writer’s singular empathy—and his subjects’ humility."

The Guardian: "Heartbreaking, heartwarming yet unsentimental, and savagely comic all at the same time, The Emperor of Gladness is about just how wobbly things can become."

Readings (AU): "A gorgeous testament to love, loss, and an undying hope for a second chance ... Vuong’s immense talent with words means a world tucked away in rural America becomes one that you can touch, taste, and smell. He navigates Hai’s family troubles, addiction, and mental health issues with grace, empathy, and passion. The literary formalities bend to his will; his brilliance dances across the pages. You will tear through this book, craving more of that specific reading experience that only Vuong can give you."