In a world where the concept of being beautiful is defined to feminine traits, a novel, 'On earth we're briefly gorgeous' by Asian-American writer Ocean Vuong identifies himself as being beautiful. He says, ‘being beautiful is wherever your mother’s shadow falls’ and the same idea we find in his narrative piece as well.
The number one New York bestselling narrative novel is narrated in a coming of age story of a little dog, the protagonist of the story; the Vietnamese immigrant in US. Through a fragmented narrative telling, one can piece together the past of the little dog's mother, Rose, and his grandmother, Lan, in Vietnam.
As a consequence of the war, the little dog and his family had to move from their native place and live as a refugee. Later on, the whole family moved to Hartford. The story begins as a letter written dedicated to the little dog's mother, 'I am writing to reach you—even if each word I put down is one word further from where you are.'
The story portrays a beautiful relationship between a son and his mother. The little dog's mother is a daughter of an American soldier and she has a failing relationship with her husband. Little dog is so protective of his mother that he insists on giving a better life by learning English so nobody could look down upon him. Because his father is violent drunkard, he develops xenophobia later, fearing if he couldn't provide secured life for his mother.
The immigration issues is brought up well with metaphors like butterfly monarchs. He also says, 'no war = no me' and this is clearly evident by his father who abused his mother physically and thus, he was born. The lines are raw, and organic. His mother is illiterate and to survive the life, Rose works in a salon as a nail artist.
Vuong isn’t holding back to talk about masturbation or about same sex relationship which is not accepted in community. The main character falls in love with a guy named, Trevor. Later, Trevor is found to be addicted when he dies.
At the same time, his grandmother too dies of cancer. With the death of his loved ones, the little dog is hurtful to grieve in yet he rightfully comes to terms with grief that we must pass on to and to impart the idea that feels so connected.
In the end, everything settles down as Vuong expects his mother to born as a girl again. He hopes someday she will be named Rose who will have a room full of books who would read bedtime stories not touched by war.
Voung has used symbolism in his stories and symbolizes character's name such as Rose, and Lan, which means orchid in Vietnamese.
Despite the recurring issues of war, traumas, losses, Ocean is able to weave in and out of memory with great ease and draws up the major concern for readers.
Author- Ocean Vuong
Publisher- Penguin
Genre- Fiction
Pages- 256
This review is submitted by "Susmita Aryal, a third year student of English Literature. She is interested in writing about society, identity and gender."
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