Ocean Vuong. First edition, first printing. New York: Penguin Press, 2025. Both unclipped dust jacket and hardcover are in Fine condition. No writing or markings found in this unread edition, 397 pp.
Set in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, The Emperor of Gladness unfolds on one transformative late summer evening. Nineteen-year-old Hai—disillusioned, grieving, and on the brink of suicide—is stopped in his tracks by Grazina, an elderly Lithuanian widow grappling with dementia. In a moment of unlikely mercy, she pulls him from despair, leading Hai to become her caretaker. What follows is a deeply moving, year-long journey of companionship, survival, and renewal.
Perfect For
Fans of literary fiction and poetic narratives
Readers drawn to intergenerational bonds and emotionally complex stories
Book clubs, especially those seeking meaningful themes and nuanced characters
Admirers of Ocean Vuong’s earlier works: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Night Sky with Exit Wounds, Time Is a Mother
Touted as one of the most anticipated releases of 2025 by Time, Pride, Goodreads, and others. It’s also an Oprah’s Book Club pick and a Washington Post bestseller.
