Ocean Vuong, acclaimed author of 'The Emperor of Gladness', reflects on his family's indifference towards his literary success, emphasizing his connection to his working-class roots. Born in Vietnam and moving to the U.S. as a child, Vuong draws inspiration from his upbringing in his writing. His latest novel revolves around a suicidal man whose fate changes when he becomes a caregiver. This is Vuong's first novel since his mother's death in 2019, with his work serving as a means of processing grief and honoring her memory.
"When I come home, I'm just one more of the litter... Why should all of a sudden that value system be foisted on them?"
"My mother's language is now inside me... I find myself thinking the way she did, even times when I disagree with her, when she was alive."
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