In 'The Emperor of Gladness,' Ocean Vuong presents a poignant exploration of class movement and personal despair through the relationship between Hai, a depressed Vietnamese American teen, and Grazina, a Lithuanian refugee. Set in East Gladness, Conn., the story unfolds in a decaying town where the collective voice of its past haunts the present. As Hai lies to his mother about his academic status, he finds unexpected solace in caring for Grazina, creating a nuanced narrative about found family amid personal struggles and societal neglect.
The Emperor of Gladness opens on a sweeping view of East Gladness, Conn., showcasing the town left behind by manufacturing as it echoes themes of lost dreams.
Vuong explores the complex dynamics of loneliness stemming from class movement, as seen through the relationship between Hai and Grazina in a hauntingly relatable narrative.
Collection
[
|
...
]