The Oprah Podcast
Ocean Vuong: "The Emperor Of Gladness" | Oprah's Book Club
May 13, 2025
Ocean Vuong, a Vietnamese-American poet and author of *The Emperor of Gladness*, engages in a heartfelt conversation about his new novel. He explores the unusual bond between a young man and an elderly widow, highlighting themes of loneliness, kindness, and intergenerational friendship. Vuong critiques the selfishness of the YOLO mindset, advocating for more purposeful living and community care. The discussion also touches on the healing power of vulnerability and storytelling, revealing how personal loss can shape creativity and connections.
58:15
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Quick takeaways
- Ocean Vuong emphasizes how his upbringing by resilient women shaped his understanding of language, creativity, and storytelling.
- Vuong explores the profound emotional connections formed in labor environments, illustrating how shared struggles can forge familial-like bonds among coworkers.
Deep dives
Ocean Vuong's Unique Creative Journey
Ocean Vuong credits his creativity to his upbringing by illiterate women, particularly his mother, who worked tirelessly in a nail salon. Despite being sidetracked by personal and cultural challenges, they embodied poetry through their resilience and experiences. Vuong recalls how, amidst their struggles, his mother recognized the power of language, encouraging him to read everything, especially that which perplexed him. This emphasis on language and storytelling laid the foundation for his success as an award-winning author and educator.
