The Emperor of Gladness
(Author) Ocean VuongThe Emperor of Gladness follows a wayward young man in New England who, out of sheer chance, becomes the caretaker for an 82-year-old widow living with dementia. Hallmarks of Vuong's writing - formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness - are on full display in this masterful story of friendship and how much we're willing to risk to possess one of life's most treasured mercies: a second chance.
Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong is a Vietnamese-American poet and novelist known for his powerful and lyrical writing style. His debut poetry collection, "Night Sky with Exit Wounds," received widespread critical acclaim and won the T.S. Eliot Prize. Vuong's work often explores themes of identity, memory, and the immigrant experience, blending personal narratives with vivid imagery. His novel, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," further solidified his reputation as a groundbreaking voice in contemporary literature. Vuong's contributions to literature have been praised for their emotional depth and innovative approach to storytelling, making him a prominent figure in the literary world.