Acclaimed poet and novelist Ocean Vuong’s second novel, The Emperor of Gladness, has received high praise from media mogul Oprah Winfrey after being chosen for Oprah’s Book Club. The book, released on Tuesday, has already garnered significant attention, with Winfrey describing it as “one of the best books I’ve ever, ever read.”
Vuong, a Massachusetts resident, joined Winfrey on CBS Mornings to discuss the novel’s selection and share insights into its themes and inspiration.
Winfrey, visibly moved by the story, explained her decision to include the novel in her book club, calling it “some of the most beautiful writing I’ve experienced in my lifetime.” She described Vuong’s writing as “poetic literature” and praised his ability to capture the essence of ordinary people in a way that is unparalleled. “Ocean Vuong’s ability to convey the complexities of human experience is like nobody I’ve ever experienced,” Winfrey added.
The Emperor of Gladness tells the story of Hai, a 19-year-old who forms a deep and transformative bond with Grazina, an elderly widow battling dementia. The novel’s emotional depth and lyrical prose left a lasting impression on Winfrey, who commented that it contains “more beautiful words than I could even imagine in one story.”
In response to the honor, Vuong expressed heartfelt gratitude, recalling the significance of Oprah’s Book Club to his mother’s community. Growing up in a working-class environment, Vuong noted that reading was often seen as intimidating to many, particularly to the women who frequented his mother’s nail salon in Connecticut.
“For many of the women in my mother’s salon, the idea of reading felt distant,” Vuong explained. “But when they saw Oprah’s book club show, they’d walk out with a new sense of confidence. Oprah’s Book Club was a ticket into important cultural discourse, and for many of them, it was the first time they felt that reading could be a part of their lives.”
Vuong’s reflections on the power of literature in empowering people align with his own experiences as a first-generation immigrant and college graduate. He explained how Oprah’s influence helped bridge gaps in access to literature for many working-class individuals, giving them a sense of belonging in spaces that often seemed out of reach.
Vuong’s previous works include his debut novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, and two poetry collections, Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time Is a Mother. Winfrey, who has long championed the importance of literature, remarked that Vuong is “one of the most extraordinary human beings I’ve ever met,” adding that he is “one of America’s greatest treasures.”
The Emperor of Gladness is now available for readers across the country, and Vuong’s selection for Oprah’s Book Club is expected to further cement his reputation as one of today’s most celebrated authors.
