Who doesn’t have On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong on their TBR list? I’ve been reluctant, though I’m not sure why, and lost count of the amount of times I scrolled past it in my “save for later” list, adding newer publications to my cart and quickly checking out. In any case, I’ve been tearing through audiobooks these past few months (ever since getting a library card) and this OEWBG became available at just the right moment, as I wrapped up a Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater was in the perfect mood to continue the semi-autobiographical trend.
Vuong’s voice was softer, shakier than I had expected. I quickly adjusted, and by the 30 minute mark I realized that reading it any other way would be an injustice. I couldn’t help but think of Toni Morrison throughout the reading, not just in the language but also the lilt of voice. I would confidently, mentally make a note of the Morrison influences throughout, and was eventually rewarded with a direct reference to Sula, which I had only just read a few weeks ago —read by the author herself as well.
What this novel doesn’t have is Morrison’s restraint, every sentence, it seems, is an opportunity to create a simile. But just as I would grow tired of this device, one would make the most beautiful sense, and bring the prose to life. And then I would wonder, what’s so different between this and what Homer does? Perhaps this is an oral poem transcribed to the page, and now recited once again.
I didn’t realize how lauded Vuong was (a MacArthur genius!) but I totally get it now. This novel captures something rare, and is truly gorgeous.