The Emperor of Gladness

Book Overview

The Emperor of Gladness is a million-copy bestseller and TikTok sensation, captivating readers with its heartrending and uplifting story of unlikely friendship and second chances.

Nineteen-year-old college dropout Hai stands on a bridge in East Gladness, Connecticut, ready to give up on life — until an unexpected shout from Grazina, an elderly widow battling dementia, changes everything. Over the course of a year, their bond grows into a profound connection that reshapes their lives.

As Hai takes a job at a local diner to support both himself and Grazina, he finds a new kind of family among his fellow workers, all of whom live on society’s margins. The Emperor of Gladness beautifully explores the transformative power of chosen family, compassion, and the hope that comes with a second chance.

Praised for its compassion, complexity, and emotional depth, this novel has been called a masterwork of both heartbreak and hope — a story to savor slowly, feel deeply, and return to again and again.

About the Author

Ocean Vuong is an acclaimed poet and novelist, known for his lyrical and powerful voice. His poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time is a Mother have earned critical praise, while his novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous became a New York Times bestseller. Vuong is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur "Genius" Grant, the Whiting Award, and the T.S. Eliot Prize. His work has appeared in major publications including The Atlantic, Harper’s Magazine, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Vuong currently divides his time between Northampton, Massachusetts, and New York City.

Book Details

Book Cover: Paperback

Pages: 416

ISBN: 9781787335417

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Author: Ocean Vuong

Language: English