Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In this NPR's Book of the Day episode, author Ocean Vuong discusses his new novel, which centers on the friendship between a young Vietnamese college dropout and an elderly World War II survivor with dementia. Through this intergenerational relationship, Vuong explores themes of connection, isolation, and survival while challenging conventional narratives about the American Dream.

Drawing from his own experiences as a Vietnamese immigrant and his time living with an elderly woman, Vuong shares his perspective on working-class Americans, whom he describes as "survival artists." The conversation examines how shared struggles can bridge cultural and political divides, and how beauty can be found in life's difficulties—from daily work in fast-food restaurants to more challenging moments in slaughterhouses and personal struggles.

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

1-Page Summary

Themes and Characters in "the Emperor of Gladness"

Ocean Vuong's novel explores an unlikely friendship between Hai, a 19-year-old Vietnamese college dropout, and Graszyna, an 82-year-old World War II survivor with dementia. Through their relationship, Vuong examines how individuals from different backgrounds can find connection amid isolation, challenging traditional narratives of the American Dream while highlighting themes of resilience and survival.

Vuong's Experiences That Informed the Novel

The novel draws heavily from Vuong's personal experiences. As a 19-year-old college student, he lived with an elderly woman with dementia named Graszyna J. Vercellis, an experience that taught him the value of intergenerational bonds. His background as a Vietnamese immigrant in Hartford also shaped his understanding of working-class resilience, which he weaves throughout the narrative.

Vuong's View on Working-Class Americans and Shared Humanity

In his portrayal of fast-food restaurant workers, Vuong celebrates what he calls "Americans who dream" rather than the "American Dream." He describes these workers as "survival artists," emphasizing their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities. Vuong notes that personal connections formed through shared struggles often transcend political differences, creating what he terms a "kinetic kinship" among workers.

Vuong's Approach To Finding Beauty In Life's Difficulties

Vuong credits his grandmother and mother for teaching him to find wonder in all aspects of life, even its challenges. He approaches difficult subjects, such as scenes in a pig slaughterhouse or a character's relapse, with a sense of grace. Through his use of language, Vuong demonstrates his belief in the redeemable nature of every part of life, finding beauty in seemingly irredeemable moments.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can foster connections with people from different backgrounds by starting a "Shared Stories" book club in your neighborhood. Choose books that explore diverse experiences and host monthly discussions to delve into the themes, encouraging participants to share their own stories and find common ground.
  • Create a "Survival Artistry" journal where you document daily instances of ingenuity you observe or practice, especially in mundane or challenging situations. This could be as simple as noting how someone creatively fixes a broken tool at work or how you repurpose household items to solve a problem, celebrating the resourcefulness in everyday life.
  • Practice finding beauty in difficult moments by writing a "Grace Note" each day. This could be a sentence or two where you reflect on a tough situation you encountered and describe how you can see it in a positive light or what you learned from it, helping to cultivate a mindset that searches for the redeemable nature in all aspects of life.

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

Themes and Characters in "the Emperor of Gladness"

"The Emperor of Gladness" is a poignant exploration of an unlikely friendship that transcends age and cultural backgrounds, illustrating universal themes of hardship, survival, and the search for connection.

Unlikely Friendship Between 19-year-Old Dropout Hai and 82-year-Old War Survivor Graszyna

The novel presents an unexpected bond between two survivors of war: Hai, a 19-year-old Vietnamese college dropout, and Graszyna, an 82-year-old grappling with dementia who fled the tyranny of Stalin during World War II. Despite the significant differences in their backgrounds, Hai and Graszyna's friendship becomes central to the narrative.

Diverse Characters Challenge the "American Dream," Showcasing Shared Experiences of Hardship and Survival Across Backgrounds

Ocean Vuong portrays Hai and Graszyna as quintessential figures in the tapestry of American experience, highlighting the country not just as a land of opportunity, but as a place where people can piece together their lives from the remains of violence and conflict. He casts both characters as symbolic debris from geopolitical upheavals. By focusing on the characters' resilience and their journey of rebuilding, Vuong disrupts the conventional narrative of the "American Dream."

Isolation, Loneliness, and Connection in Marginalized American Youth and Elderly

The novel delves into themes of isolation and loneliness experienced by American youth and the elderly, particularly those who exist on the margins of society. Hai an ...

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Themes and Characters in "the Emperor of Gladness"

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Clarifications

  • Hai is a 19-year-old Vietnamese college dropout who represents the struggles of the younger generation in the aftermath of historical conflicts. Graszyna, an 82-year-old war survivor who fled Stalin's regime during World War II, symbolizes resilience and the enduring impact of past traumas on individuals. Their unlikely friendship transcends generational and cultural differences, highlighting themes of connection and shared experiences of hardship and survival. The characters' backgrounds serve as a lens through which the novel explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and the search for companionship in the face of adversity.
  • The "American Dream" is a national ethos in the United States centered around the belief that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. It traditionally includes ideals of upward mobility, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better life. However, critics argue that the conventional narrative of the "American Dream" often overlooks systemic inequalities and fails to address the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in achieving this ideal. The concept has evolved over time and can be interpreted differently based on one's perspective and experiences.
  • The portrayal of Hai and Graszyna as symbolic debris from geopolitical upheavals signifies how their lives have been profoundly impacted by historical events like wars and political conflicts, leaving them with emotional scars and challenges that stem from the turbulent past. This representation highlights how their identities and experiences are shaped by larger historical forces beyond their control, influencing their present circumstances and relationships. It emphasizes the idea that their personal narratives are intertwined with broader historical contexts, reflectin ...

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

Vuong's Experiences That Informed the Novel

The experiences of Ocean Vuong during his formative years have deeply influenced the narrative and characters in his novel.

Vuong's Care for a Woman With Dementia in College Influenced the Novel's Characters and Their Relationship

Ocean Vuong shares a poignant chapter of his life that mirrors the deep intergenerational connections depicted in his novel. As a 19-year-old college student, Vuong faced housing instability and subsequently lived with Graszyna J. Vercellis, an elderly woman with dementia. During this time, Vuong learned the value of intergenerational bonds, reflecting on the often overlooked loneliness of both the young and old in America.

Vuong Learned the Value of Intergenerational Connections and Mutual Support Despite Societal Views of "Inadequacy" or "Obsolescence."

Vuong recognized the marginalization that comes with societal perceptions of inadequacy or obsolescence, particularly among the young and the elderly. His experience with Graszyna J. Vercellis taught him how these societal views could lead to isolation and loneliness, fueling a bond of mutual support similar to the relationship he shared with his own grandmother. These insights are evident in the character dynamics within his novel, where the nuance of age and connection ...

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Vuong's Experiences That Informed the Novel

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Volunteer at a local senior center to foster intergenerational connections and learn from the life experiences of the elderly. By spending time with older adults, you can gain insights into resilience and the value of mutual support, which can enrich your personal relationships and understanding of different life stages.
  • Create a personal project that documents the stories of working-class individuals in your community, such as a photo essay or a series of written profiles. This will help you explore and appreciate the resilience within your own environment, similar to how Vuong's upbringing influenced his perspective.
  • Start a conversation club i ...

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

Vuong's View on Working-Class Americans and Shared Humanity

Ocean Vuong offers a profound perspective on the humanity and interconnectedness of working-class Americans, which he explores through characters in his novel who work at a Connecticut fast-food restaurant.

Vuong Views Fast-Food Workers as "Americans Who Dream," Not the "American Dream."

The novelist celebrates the dignity and spirit of fast-food employees by recognizing them as "Americans who dream." Vuong emphasizes their individual personas, talents, and vibrant human essence. The workers, according to Vuong, embody a unique artistry and resilience in facing daily life's trials.

Vuong Highlights the Workers' Humanity, Ingenuity, and Problem-Solving Skills As "Survival Artists" Bound by Shared Toil and Mutual Reliance

In Vuong's perspective, these workers demonstrate the essence of "survival artists," bound together by the mutual labor they undertake daily. He admires their ingenuity and problem-solving abilities, qualities that forge a silent camaraderie known only to those united by enduring toil and reliance on each other.

Vuong Believes Personal Connections Can Transcend Politics; Shared Struggle and Resilience Define the American Experience

Vuong has noted a "kinetic kinship" among fast-food workers, which, despite their potential ideological disparities, serve ...

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Vuong's View on Working-Class Americans and Shared Humanity

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Counterarguments

  • While Vuong's view celebrates the humanity of fast-food workers, it could be argued that it romanticizes their struggles without addressing the systemic issues that contribute to their hardships, such as low wages and lack of benefits.
  • The notion of "kinetic kinship" may not fully account for the real and sometimes significant political and ideological divides that can impact workplace dynamics and individual relationships.
  • Vuong's perspective might overlook the diversity of experiences among fast-food workers, as not all may view their work as a form of artistry or feel a sense of camaraderie with their coworkers.
  • The idea that shared struggle defines the American experience could be seen as a narrow view that doesn't encompass the varied and complex identities and experiences that make up the country.
  • The focus on personal connections and resilien ...

Actionables

  • Start a gratitude journal focusing on the people you interact with daily, noting their unique qualities and the ways they contribute to your life. This practice encourages you to see the value in everyone, from the barista who makes your coffee to the colleague who shares your workspace. For example, write about the barista's attention to detail or your colleague's knack for problem-solving.
  • Create a "Common Ground" conversation starter set for your next social gathering, with cards that prompt discussions about shared experiences and resilience rather than politics or ideology. For instance, a card might ask, "What's a challenge you've overcome this week?" encouraging guests to connect on a human level.
  • Volunteer at a local community center or charity, specific ...

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With new novel, Ocean Vuong says he wants to reframe America as a place of salvage

Vuong's Approach To Finding Beauty In Life's Difficulties

Ocean Vuong offers a distinctive approach to unveiling the beauty intertwined with life’s hardest moments.

Vuong's Depictions of Life's Harshness, Like a Pig Slaughterhouse or a Relapse, Show His Faith in Redemption and Beauty

Vuong Thanks His Grandmother and Mother For Teaching Him to Find Awe In the World, Even In Its Challenges

Ocean Vuong speaks about the role of language in exploring and expressing the duality of beauty and life's inherent ugliness. He elucidates how he can portray such harsh realities as a pig slaughterhouse or a character's relapse with a sense of grace, attributing this skill to his grandmother and mother. These matriarchs taught him to maintain a sense of wonder and to find awe in the various aspects of the world, even those that are challenging.

Vuong's Language: A Worship of Potential, Embracing the Irredeemable

Vuong holds a strong belief in the redeemable nature of every part of life, no matter how ugly or seemingly irredeemable. ...

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Vuong's Approach To Finding Beauty In Life's Difficulties

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Vuong's approach to finding beauty in life's difficulties is admirable, some may argue that it risks romanticizing or trivializing the real pain and suffering that people experience.
  • The belief in the redeemable nature of every part of life may not resonate with everyone, especially those who have experienced trauma or loss that feels irreparable.
  • The idea that language can transform the perception of harsh realities into something beautiful might be seen as an oversimplification of complex emotional responses to trauma.
  • Vuong's reliance on the teachings of his grandmother and mother, while personally significant, may not be universally applicable or relatable to individuals who lack such positive influences in their lives.
  • The concept of finding awe in challenges could be perceived as a privileged perspective that may not acknowledge the systemic issues that prevent many from having the opportunity to find beauty in their struggles.
  • Some critics might argue that Vuong's focus on the potential and beauty in life's d ...

Actionables

  • You can start a "Beauty in the Bleak" journal where you write about difficult experiences and actively reframe them to highlight any hidden beauty or potential. For example, if you've had a tough day at work, write about the resilience you demonstrated or the support you received from a colleague, focusing on the positive aspects that emerged from the challenge.
  • Create a "Language of Awe" photo series by capturing images of places or situations that are typically seen as unattractive or mundane, and pair them with captions that express their potential or beauty. This could be a rusty gate that has withstood the test of time, symbolizing endurance, or a crowded street that represents the vibrancy of human life.
  • Engage in a "Redemption Walk" wh ...

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