Review: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: June 2019
 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is the story of a young man, writing to his mother. His mother is Vietnamese and she herself is suffering from PTSD, but she would never admit it. The letters are to be a way of letting go of the pain since his mother is not able to read. She calls him Little Dog and is frequently abusive to him. To top it off, Little Dog is small for his age and is often teased and bullied in school. He also is gay. How do you deal with all of these things when no one wants to listen to what you have to say.

This was a deep and moving story that touched me from the very beginning. You want to reach in and just give him a hug. You just felt sorry for him. This is supposed to be a novel, but it read more like a memoir.

One of my favorite quotes from this book was "Because freedom, I am told, is nothing but the distance between the hunter and its prey." This quote hit me deeply.

If you are looking for a moving story that will grip you from the start, this is a great story!

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Review: The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: March 2020
 

Alexis and Austin both work at a hospital in New York City, but in different departments. So it's interesting that they meet in the Emergency Room where Alexis works when Austin is injured at a bar. Their romance is quick and the next thing you know, they are on a bike tour in Vietnam to visit the places where Austin's father fought and his uncle died. But when Austin is killed in an accident, it brings up a lot of questions for Alexis about the real reason they were in Vietnam. Alexis is determined to find out what happened to Austin, but will she loose her own life in the process?

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had no idea the turns this book would take. From the outside, Austin seems like your typical guy who likes to bike. But there is a secret he is hiding, one that no one about. This secret can kill hundreds, thousands, even millions of people, especially if it gets into the wrong hands. Alexis is a strong determined person, refusing to let Austin's death go without further investigation. It leads to a cross continent search for the truth and a way to end something tragic.

I really enjoy Chris Bohjalian's books. They take you on a journey that you aren't expecting. I wasn't sure where this story was going to go, but I enjoyed the ride. It goes to show you that you have to be careful out here with the people you are dating.


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