ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by Ocean Vuong

ON EARTH WE’RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS is a letter from a son to a mother who can’t read, but it’s so much more than that. The letter weaves between poetry and prose to tell the story of a queer Vietnamese boy named Little Dog, covering poverty, class, addiction, assimilation, masculinity, war, and coming of age in 200 sweeping pages you won’t soon forget. Ever since we started 50 Free Books I’ve wanted to share it, because it’s one of my favorite books I’ve ever read.

In his debut novel, acclaimed poet Ocean Vuong cements himself as one of the most exciting voices in a generation—having already been awarded the MacArthur Genius grant, T.S. Eliot Prize, and Whiting Award by age 30. Every time I pick this book up, I’m struck by the blurbs on the inside pages. A who’s-who of authors don’t so much describe the book, as they thank the author over and over again. You’ll be left emotionally bare after you finish, but you’re almost certain to feel that same sense of gratitude to the author who took you there.

—Recommended by Stephen