Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a luminous debut novel written as a letter from a Vietnamese-American mother to her son, exploring family, identity, and love across generations. Through lyrical prose and fragmented narratives, Vuong creates a work that grapples with trauma, queerness, and the search for belonging. The novel becomes a meditation on how we survive and create meaning in the aftermath of war and displacement.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Vuong writes with such tenderness and precision that readers feel the weight of every word. This novel reminds us that the most important stories are often the ones told in intimate spaces, and that beauty can emerge from the deepest pain.

DETAILS: • Author: Ocean Vuong • Publisher: Penguin Books • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: June 1, 2021 • ISBN: 9780525562047 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days