Oprah Chooses Ocean Vuong’s Latest Novel, ‘The Emperor of Gladness,’ for Her Book Club

NEW YORK – Oprah Winfrey’s latest book club pick is a new novel from Ocean Vuong, one of the country’s most admired young writers.

Winfrey revealed on Tuesday her latest pick, Vuong’s “The Emperor of Gladness,” a story that explores the connection between a suicidal teenager and an elderly widow living with dementia, penned by the Vietnamese American author. Her interview with Vuong is available for viewing on her YouTube channel and other platforms.

“Ocean draws inspiration from his own life, having been born in Vietnam, growing up in a working-class household in Connecticut, and working in fast food. His story showcases an unexpected ensemble of truly memorable characters,” Winfrey expressed. “This award-winning writer and celebrated poet crafts a powerful and heartfelt narrative in striking prose, highlighting individuals living on society’s margins and the particular struggles they face to not only survive but flourish.”

Vuong, 36, has garnered widespread accolades, including the T.S. Eliot Prize and Pushcart Prize for his poetry, along with a MacArthur Fellowship and a Whiting Award for emerging writers. His published works also feature the novel “On Earth We Were Briefly Gorgeous” as well as poetry collections “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” and “Time Is a Mother.”

In a statement Tuesday, he said that receiving “the call” from Winfrey was one of the highlights of his life, with a poignant echo of his childhood.

“Sitting in my mother’s nail salon, I watched women see Oprah featuring an author on her show, which played each day in the salon, and literally rise from their seats with poise and confidence, saying they’re gonna walk to the Barnes and Noble across the street and buy a book, suddenly armed with access to the discourse, and thereby in possession of the cultural center,” he said.

“To think of my book being invited to join such a profound lineage is truly awe-inspiring. I only wish my mother were alive to see it. Among all the literary achievements in an author’s life, this would be the one she truly recognizes.”