On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

A novel, a story, a lettter, a collection of memories like only smells are able to take you to them. On Earth We're Briefly Georgeous is able to even feel the smells described and remember things we've not lived. I don't remember who recommended me this book, but I thank them, wherever they are. The strange style of intermixing stories, conversations and exprriences through confusing at first captivated my curiosity in a wondeful way. Thanks Little Dog

This novel by Ocean Vuong is told from a first-person narrative as an autobiographical story written to the protagonist's mother. But using this as a device, it tells multiple stories simultaneously. Each is almost a parable, and none is independent of another. It takes place in the USA primarily.

The protagonist relates his coming into the world, his childhood, his first love, his violent youth, his grandmother's love for him (and her past life in Vietnam), and his experiences of grief. Entangled are the acts of violence of the Vietnam War, the estrangement of the protagonist from his two nations, drug addiction and abuse, philosophy and thoughts on how words find meaning. The story alone is uncomplicated, and ticks along at a pleasant pace, but the poetic undertones and masterful weaving of story with concept make it a wonderful experience. To paraphrase Vuong's words: This book is not created from the violence of the past, but in spite of it. It is created from beauty, and it is beautiful.

Hard to follow and I found the imagery a mess. I kept waiting for the next chapter to tie it all together but for me it never seemed to. Every second it third paragraph was compelling enough for me to keep reading but I have no desire to continue.
Rating it 3/5 for the couple of laughs and tearful moments I felt actually hit and the point of view of a PoC that I haven't experienced.