Proximity builds tension
June 24, 2019 7:31 AM Subscribe
Writer Ocean Vuong publishes his first novel : as noted by the American Booksellers Association, "On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a portrait of a family, first love, and the power of storytelling and an exploration of the American stories of race, class, masculinity, immigration, as well as of addiction, violence, and trauma." As Lucille Clifton said, poetry should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable; Ocean Vuong's writing certainly does that.
Ocean Vuong was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. when he was 2. His first book, “Night Sky With Exit Wounds,” came out of work he began while a student at Brooklyn College. He previously published a book of poetry, "Night Sky With Exit Wounds," which received much acclaim. He has now published his first novel, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," and has conducted interviews which provide remarkable insight.
Further reading:
Summer 2019 book tour appearances
Ocean's Spotify mixtape for "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous"
Eavesdropping on Ocean Vuong (NYT)
Ocean Vuong: Poems (Poetry Foundation)
Ocean Vuong was born in Vietnam and came to the U.S. when he was 2. His first book, “Night Sky With Exit Wounds,” came out of work he began while a student at Brooklyn College. He previously published a book of poetry, "Night Sky With Exit Wounds," which received much acclaim. He has now published his first novel, "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous," and has conducted interviews which provide remarkable insight.
Further reading:
Summer 2019 book tour appearances
Ocean's Spotify mixtape for "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous"
Eavesdropping on Ocean Vuong (NYT)
Ocean Vuong: Poems (Poetry Foundation)
I read it. I liked it.
posted by dobbs at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 9:43 AM on June 24, 2019 [1 favorite]
When we first started dating four years ago, my current partner took me to an Ocean Vuong reading, where, as he finished his last poem, I promptly burst into tears simply because the act of beholding his exquisite verse in his tender voice overwhelmed me. It was so beautiful I had to cry! Thank god I was with someone who did not consider publicly weeping at art to be a dealbreaker. It's great that you included the link for upcoming appearances--I highly recommend folks see him read if possible; he has an enthrallingly gentle nature when performing his own work.
posted by youarenothere at 10:18 AM on June 24, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by youarenothere at 10:18 AM on June 24, 2019 [5 favorites]
Ocean Vuong on Seth Meyers
I went to an Ocean Vuong reading last week, and was similarly enthralled by his aura, his gentle voice, and his deep wisdom.
Jia Tolentino, on Ocean Vuong: "Ocean Vuong's Life Sentences" (New Yorker)
posted by nikoniko at 10:56 AM on June 24, 2019 [3 favorites]
I went to an Ocean Vuong reading last week, and was similarly enthralled by his aura, his gentle voice, and his deep wisdom.
Jia Tolentino, on Ocean Vuong: "Ocean Vuong's Life Sentences" (New Yorker)
posted by nikoniko at 10:56 AM on June 24, 2019 [3 favorites]
The treetops glisten and children listen, the chief of police
facedown in a pool of Coca-Cola.
A palm-sized photo of his father soaking
beside his left ear.
-from: 'Aubade with Burning city.
Great post. The coca-cola reference is spot on as Vietnam became a prime market when the war started, Anita Bryant went over to entertain on cokes Dime in 65' and coke was fleshed out as something to help win the war, even in the ' Green Berets', John Wayne walks by a pallet full of canned coke.
posted by clavdivs at 1:36 PM on June 24, 2019
facedown in a pool of Coca-Cola.
A palm-sized photo of his father soaking
beside his left ear.
-from: 'Aubade with Burning city.
Great post. The coca-cola reference is spot on as Vietnam became a prime market when the war started, Anita Bryant went over to entertain on cokes Dime in 65' and coke was fleshed out as something to help win the war, even in the ' Green Berets', John Wayne walks by a pallet full of canned coke.
posted by clavdivs at 1:36 PM on June 24, 2019
Oh this is so wonderful! I have one of his poetry collections and it’s great. I have been looking for something good to read on my upcoming bike tour and this might be the thing. Thanks for sharing!
posted by Gymnopedist at 8:45 PM on June 24, 2019
posted by Gymnopedist at 8:45 PM on June 24, 2019
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posted by fast ein Maedchen at 9:20 AM on June 24, 2019