I don’t understand why people don’t just think to themselves “this book isn’t for me” or “this writer isn’t for me” and then move on with their day. Whyyyyyyy the drama and the meanness? Just go find a writer you do like and enjoy their work!
I had to literally file a take down request because they were using my portrait of Ocean to slander him. Fuck outta here. These people are out of control.
It’s super important to keep reminding people that we (we white people) have made this bizarre system of artistic appraisal where every single one of us (white people) is just an individual artist with strengths, weaknesses, themes, style etc etc, and every minority artist, whether standing together with or apart from that minority, is endlessly defined through that relationship. Blargh.
yeahhhh honestly I was similarly taken aback by that article (and annoyed it showed up on my feed). there are much more important battles to fight than this made up crusade against one of the greatest writers of our time! try again!
I really find myself disliking certain famous writers, even though they’re loved by so many people. Honestly, their writing — and even who they are as writers — just doesn’t suit my taste. And that’s okay. We’re not all the same. Writing is like food: if you don’t like it, that’s fine. There’s no need to rant about it or tear it down — it’s simply a matter of taste.
But the thing is, there’s a human being behind every book. No need to hurt anyone. The world is already harmful enough. Let’s just move on. Life is short. Thank you.
I haven’t read any Ocean Vuong so can’t truly comment on it. The pile on does reek of envy and even some white supremacy.
But… I thought the LRB piece litigated the case pretty well. There is no context where ‘I drove my face into him as if into a climate, the autobiography of a season’ is not overwrought and terrible writing to me. Equally, someone should be able to argue the opposite case for Vuong. That’s all that literary criticism is.
I think it’s very white supremacist. Having read the book, I really related to his portrayal of the mother/child relationship as a third culture kid. It was the most unflinchingly honest portrayal I have ever read.
LOVED this breakdown. the original essay is so vitriolic i can't even take it seriously—it reads more like a personal attack than a legitimate critique. it's a little like, what is even the point of writing something like that? they just sound like a hater and that energy is so exhausting. you made very excellent points and i was happy to see such a cogent response to the original while browsing. also congratulations on your book! it's a wonderful and difficult thing to put your work out into the world, and i'm sorry people have tried to diminish that but i'm positive your work will be delighting many more people for years to come!
I am so fucking tired of these white people bitching about Black, Indigenous + POC writing and succeeding and the fact that we are a “DEI” initiative (looking at you, Liza Libes or whatever your name is) and that “merit alone is supposed to make the grade.” Without these people realizing that when they make these arguments, they are essentially supporting white supremacy lol. I needed this. Healed my gd soul.
I loved this — especially the point about people thinking Vuong doesn’t deserve what he’s gotten. The real irony: whether people deserve what they’ve gotten IS THE MAIN QUESTION THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS EXPLORES. Curious, huh? I wonder if they’ve actually read it?
Like you I esp love Ocean Vuong’s poetry and although I am aware of the prose I haven’t yet read either book. I am shocked by how young he looks! And obviously he has more to say, but to expect him to negotiate his career and success as a young author perfectly is just stupid. Whether the prose books might be bad or not? The poetry was powerful and authentic. He is still kindof a kid. Let him grow. Let him try new things. Let him fail spectacularly. That review sounded very jealous of his meteoric success and quick to dismiss him? I had a similar reaction.
I’m so glad you wrote this piece. I didn’t read the takedown of Vuong because it just seemed so nasty… looks like I was right. Just feels like on Substack, a platform for writers and creators, we should be celebrating people’s writing and creations, not taking them down. There are other spaces of the internet that will do that
Wow, I had no idea people were hating on Vuong like that - but I feel like that kind of vitriol is unavoidable now. Especially when it's a racialized person gaining admiration. It's so hard not to feel like the entire world is going to shit, but I just keep reminding myself - that person has so much of their own self-esteem issues to work through and are just airing their baggage. Clearly they're jealous of Vuong. If you don't like someone's art, just stop looking at it. Yeesh.
I don’t understand why people don’t just think to themselves “this book isn’t for me” or “this writer isn’t for me” and then move on with their day. Whyyyyyyy the drama and the meanness? Just go find a writer you do like and enjoy their work!
Yeah it's veryyy extreme
LITERALLY!!
I had to literally file a take down request because they were using my portrait of Ocean to slander him. Fuck outta here. These people are out of control.
That is INSANE like whattt, you’re ALSO grifting other people’s art for this mess??? make it make sense
Wait I wondered - that rules
It’s super important to keep reminding people that we (we white people) have made this bizarre system of artistic appraisal where every single one of us (white people) is just an individual artist with strengths, weaknesses, themes, style etc etc, and every minority artist, whether standing together with or apart from that minority, is endlessly defined through that relationship. Blargh.
yeahhhh honestly I was similarly taken aback by that article (and annoyed it showed up on my feed). there are much more important battles to fight than this made up crusade against one of the greatest writers of our time! try again!
WAY more important battles!!!
I really find myself disliking certain famous writers, even though they’re loved by so many people. Honestly, their writing — and even who they are as writers — just doesn’t suit my taste. And that’s okay. We’re not all the same. Writing is like food: if you don’t like it, that’s fine. There’s no need to rant about it or tear it down — it’s simply a matter of taste.
But the thing is, there’s a human being behind every book. No need to hurt anyone. The world is already harmful enough. Let’s just move on. Life is short. Thank you.
Exactly, your taste is your taste, but no need to be cruel!
I haven’t read any Ocean Vuong so can’t truly comment on it. The pile on does reek of envy and even some white supremacy.
But… I thought the LRB piece litigated the case pretty well. There is no context where ‘I drove my face into him as if into a climate, the autobiography of a season’ is not overwrought and terrible writing to me. Equally, someone should be able to argue the opposite case for Vuong. That’s all that literary criticism is.
The general idea that modern literary fiction is smoke and mirrors is hardly a new one either: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2001/07/a-readers-manifesto/302270/
I don’t 100% agree with Myers - I’m a DeLillo apologist, for instance - but he makes a clear and coherent point.
I think it’s very white supremacist. Having read the book, I really related to his portrayal of the mother/child relationship as a third culture kid. It was the most unflinchingly honest portrayal I have ever read.
"When I press my ear to them, listen really closely, I hear: You don’t deserve this. I do. You’ve taken what I deserve from me."
Every. Single. Time.
Avarice wears many guises, but its message is one-note.
LOVED this breakdown. the original essay is so vitriolic i can't even take it seriously—it reads more like a personal attack than a legitimate critique. it's a little like, what is even the point of writing something like that? they just sound like a hater and that energy is so exhausting. you made very excellent points and i was happy to see such a cogent response to the original while browsing. also congratulations on your book! it's a wonderful and difficult thing to put your work out into the world, and i'm sorry people have tried to diminish that but i'm positive your work will be delighting many more people for years to come!
Thank you so much!!! This is so kind 💕💕
THANK YOU
I am so fucking tired of these white people bitching about Black, Indigenous + POC writing and succeeding and the fact that we are a “DEI” initiative (looking at you, Liza Libes or whatever your name is) and that “merit alone is supposed to make the grade.” Without these people realizing that when they make these arguments, they are essentially supporting white supremacy lol. I needed this. Healed my gd soul.
EXACTLY, ugh!! Well, I’m glad you connected with this!! Thank you so much for reading :)
Thank you for this piece. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much for reading and sharing it!! :)
I loved this — especially the point about people thinking Vuong doesn’t deserve what he’s gotten. The real irony: whether people deserve what they’ve gotten IS THE MAIN QUESTION THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS EXPLORES. Curious, huh? I wonder if they’ve actually read it?
Like you I esp love Ocean Vuong’s poetry and although I am aware of the prose I haven’t yet read either book. I am shocked by how young he looks! And obviously he has more to say, but to expect him to negotiate his career and success as a young author perfectly is just stupid. Whether the prose books might be bad or not? The poetry was powerful and authentic. He is still kindof a kid. Let him grow. Let him try new things. Let him fail spectacularly. That review sounded very jealous of his meteoric success and quick to dismiss him? I had a similar reaction.
He's 36.
I’m so glad you wrote this piece. I didn’t read the takedown of Vuong because it just seemed so nasty… looks like I was right. Just feels like on Substack, a platform for writers and creators, we should be celebrating people’s writing and creations, not taking them down. There are other spaces of the internet that will do that
Exactly!!!
Wow, I had no idea people were hating on Vuong like that - but I feel like that kind of vitriol is unavoidable now. Especially when it's a racialized person gaining admiration. It's so hard not to feel like the entire world is going to shit, but I just keep reminding myself - that person has so much of their own self-esteem issues to work through and are just airing their baggage. Clearly they're jealous of Vuong. If you don't like someone's art, just stop looking at it. Yeesh.
Ocean Vuong remains amazing and On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a stunning work.
THANK YOU! 💥