The Emperor of Gladness

by Ocean Vuong

The Emperor of Gladness drew me in quietly, and before I realized it, I genuinely cared about what happened to the characters, what they were feeling and understanding the decisions each made. The emotional texture of the book is understated but powerful, and the writing has a quiet confidence that lets the story unfold without forcing anything. It’s the kind of book that stays with you because of how gently it earns your attention. This is further proof of Ocean Vuong's remarkable voice and vision.