Really insightful. Bad books often stir up more conversation than good books and the resulting conversation is often very positive for the literary community. Like you said, they serve a purpose.
I am a bit trepid about how eager reviewers have gotten to write takedown’s about marginalized folks. Feels like that pendulum swung real fast. We went from too scared to say a negative thing to overexcited to try to destroy some writer’s careers in a really short span.
I think if Vuong reads this write-up and takes your advice, he could put out a really great third book. I may read that one.
Thank you for writing this review; it’s a good counterpoint to the takedowns, and it makes me actually want to read Vuong’s 2nd book (I didn’t read the first one, and probably won’t).
I love a novel that explores the world of work. There are so few, relatively.
I spent some time working as a delivery driver for Jimmy John’s a few years ago, while in the worst part of my alcoholism. I was a little out of place as a middle-aged college-educated woman, but I really liked my co-workers and didn’t hate the work. (There’s something fulfilling about making food for people and then bringing them the food.) Anyway, I really look forward to reading this, especially the workplace scenes.
Just wanted to agree with your readers that I thought this was an incredibly balanced take. While I have not read any of ocean Vuong's works I personally feel like the rise of hit pieces against his second novel does have more to do with the regime change than anything about the quality of the work itself.
Thought this bit was exceptionally apt.
"With the wave of takedowns against Vuong, many people (including myself) have commented that there appears to be something of a political element at work. The politics of our nation have changed, and now people feel like they are able to critique authors of color in a way that, they feel, was previously forbidden."
Honestly, this whole affair nauseates me. I mean I have no skin in the game as someone who has not been published and is only marginally familiar with Vuong and his work. That being said, I don't like seeing people publicly piling on a writer, even if it's someone in the modern literary scene who I'm genuinely indifferent to.
What you reading is Salon style writing. See my substack for a more detailed explanation. There is a movement of readers wanting to linger and think about the story.
This makes me want to read the book. And I appreciated/enjoyed the granular analysis, about what exactly worked and what didn't in each book. It will be interesting to see if the various strengths can all come together in a future book.
Interesting and informative. My current Read Next stack has Black, Vietnamese, and scholarly works, all mixed up. I have no idea what will appeal to me when the current in progress bunch is finished. Which rather pleases me. I don't care for book clubs mostly because I don't like to be told what to read. And Sentimental bores me out of my socks. I'm guessing that the two books reviewed in this article will never make it to Read Next. Read Never maybe??
Really insightful. Bad books often stir up more conversation than good books and the resulting conversation is often very positive for the literary community. Like you said, they serve a purpose.
I am a bit trepid about how eager reviewers have gotten to write takedown’s about marginalized folks. Feels like that pendulum swung real fast. We went from too scared to say a negative thing to overexcited to try to destroy some writer’s careers in a really short span.
I think if Vuong reads this write-up and takes your advice, he could put out a really great third book. I may read that one.
Thank you for writing this review; it’s a good counterpoint to the takedowns, and it makes me actually want to read Vuong’s 2nd book (I didn’t read the first one, and probably won’t).
I love a novel that explores the world of work. There are so few, relatively.
I spent some time working as a delivery driver for Jimmy John’s a few years ago, while in the worst part of my alcoholism. I was a little out of place as a middle-aged college-educated woman, but I really liked my co-workers and didn’t hate the work. (There’s something fulfilling about making food for people and then bringing them the food.) Anyway, I really look forward to reading this, especially the workplace scenes.
Hey Naomi,
Just wanted to agree with your readers that I thought this was an incredibly balanced take. While I have not read any of ocean Vuong's works I personally feel like the rise of hit pieces against his second novel does have more to do with the regime change than anything about the quality of the work itself.
Thought this bit was exceptionally apt.
"With the wave of takedowns against Vuong, many people (including myself) have commented that there appears to be something of a political element at work. The politics of our nation have changed, and now people feel like they are able to critique authors of color in a way that, they feel, was previously forbidden."
Honestly, this whole affair nauseates me. I mean I have no skin in the game as someone who has not been published and is only marginally familiar with Vuong and his work. That being said, I don't like seeing people publicly piling on a writer, even if it's someone in the modern literary scene who I'm genuinely indifferent to.
What you reading is Salon style writing. See my substack for a more detailed explanation. There is a movement of readers wanting to linger and think about the story.
This makes me want to read the book. And I appreciated/enjoyed the granular analysis, about what exactly worked and what didn't in each book. It will be interesting to see if the various strengths can all come together in a future book.
Interesting and informative. My current Read Next stack has Black, Vietnamese, and scholarly works, all mixed up. I have no idea what will appeal to me when the current in progress bunch is finished. Which rather pleases me. I don't care for book clubs mostly because I don't like to be told what to read. And Sentimental bores me out of my socks. I'm guessing that the two books reviewed in this article will never make it to Read Next. Read Never maybe??
thank you for a down to earth take