“On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous” is a letter from a son to his illiterate mother. Little Dog, an American of Vietnamese descent, brings to light his family's story from the Vietnam War to their settling in America, focusing on the dramatic life of his loving but often violent mother and his grandmother. At the same time, while grappling with the traumas of the past, he reveals thoughts and aspects of his life that his mother was unaware of: his anxieties, fears, and a strong romance.

A raw, yet deeply lyrical and honest confession that reaches the brave revelation of shocking personal moments. Ocean Vuong was born in 1988 in a rice paddy in Vietnam. Today, he is among the most talented young writers in American literature. His poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds was honored with the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize.

Contents:

• Translator's introductory note
• On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous
• Notes
• Thanks

Introduction by Effie Fryda
Cover Design by Nikos Vavatsis, Faces, 2018