The Emperor of Gladness
 | |
| Author | Ocean Vuong |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Penguin Press |
Publication date | May 13, 2025 |
| Pages | 416 |
| ISBN | 978-0593831878 |
The Emperor of Gladness is a 2025 novel by Vietnamese American writer Ocean Vuong. It was announced in April of 2024 and is scheduled for release on May 13, 2025.[1][2] Penguin Press will publish the novel in the United States, and Jonathan Cape will publish it in the United Kingdom.[3]
Synopsis
[edit]The novel follows a 19-year-old boy named Hai who lives in East Gladness, a town in Connecticut. Right before he jumps off of a bridge to commit suicide, an old woman suffering from dementia, named Grazina, urges him to reconsider. From then on, Hai becomes Grazina's caretaker.
Critical reception
[edit]In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews lauded Vuong's ability to explore the issue of war "outside of conventional realism or combat porn" and considered The Emperor of Gladness to be "a messy but worthy exploration of how hurt and self-deception leaches into everyday life. A sui generis take on the surprising and cruel ways violence is passed on across generations."[4]
Lists
[edit]The book became one of the most highly anticipated book releases for 2025 following its announcement.[5][6][7] Time called it one of the 39 most anticipated books of the year.[8] British GQ said, "Expect the kind of prose and emotional sensitivity that make the soul swoon."[9]
Pride named it one of their 10 most anticipated LGBTQ+ books of 2025, stating, "Prose or poetry, regardless of premise, I'll pick up anything he writes because it is always, without fail, an ineffably moving slice of the human experience."[10] Electric Literature similarly called it one of the most anticipated queer books for spring 2025.[11] Sally Tamarkin, writing for Them, wrote: "I am already preparing myself for more of Vuong’s heart-rending prose."[12]
Book Riot reported that the novel was one of three books listed in Goodreads' Most Anticipated Contemporary & Historical Fiction of 2025.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "A new Ocean Vuong novel is coming next summer". Literary Hub. 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Tired of Playing the Self-Loathing Poet, Ocean Vuong Is Stepping Into His Next Role". Cultured Mag. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Jonathan Cape to publish Ocean Vuong's 'breathtaking' new novel". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ Dimitroff, Cassandra (2024-12-17). "7 new books being released in 2025 that we simply cannot wait for". RUSSH. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ Varno, David (December 6, 2024). "Spring 2025 Fiction & Nonfiction Preview: Literary Fiction". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "From Gurnah to Adichie: Fiction you must read in 2025". The Indian Express. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
- ^ Carlin, Shannon (2024-12-17). "The 39 Most Anticipated Books of 2025". TIME. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ Gogarty, Josiah (2024-12-18). "The most anticipated books of 2025". British GQ. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Our 10 most anticipated LGBTQ+ books of 2025". Pride. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "The Most Anticipated Queer Books For Spring 2025". Electric Literature. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-02-06.
- ^ Tamarkin, Sally (2024-12-23). "Staff Picks: Our 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2025". Them. Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "The Most Anticipated Books of 2025, According to Goodreads". BOOK RIOT. 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2024-12-24.