On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

  the writing is supreme, effortlessly an easy flow, even though at times it might be a bit too flowery, but i doubt that there's anything outgrowing fatigue towards the language. it also managed to explore on several social issues, i.e. the vietnamese history, US social problems, a.k.a. arms, overdose, violence, etc. and most importantly, the handling of grief and losses. for a coming-of-age book it doesn't cheaply treat the topics of abuse and violence in household or romantic relationships, or the intersectionality as both a queer member and a racial minority merely as a tool for recognition and exposure, there's way more layers to build upon than that. most importantly, it is a sort of intricate love between the mother and son, which does not necessarily victimise the son or the mother, yet putting them both on different sides of the same balance, untilted.