To read words written by Ocean Vuong is to be reminded of the gift that writing truly is. His debut novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (2019) is a memorising meditation on family, forgiveness, the power of the past and the power of the future. The story is narrated through a letter written by protagonist Little Dog to his illiterate mother. Little Dog knows his mother is unlikely to understand the letter giving its confessional power a melancholic edge. Throughout the story past and present overlap as Little Dog faces the trials and tribulations of coming of age as a queer Vietnamese American and also reconciles with the harrowing experiences which haunt his mother. Vuong is not afraid to stare directly at the truth of something however complicated. Little Dog loves his mother but is also abused by her. There are no easy answers or platitudes here only an honest exploration of trauma, mental health and the immigrant experience in America. Despite presenting the ugliness of the world Vuong always appears to see its beauty. His writing will take you down a spiral of wonder as he depicts the poetry which can be found in the details of everyday life. The novel also portrays the power of language as storytelling becomes the key for Little Dog to make sense of the world. Ultimately On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is story about survival and a gorgeous one at that.