Ocean Vuong: Artist-in-Residence Welcome Event

“What is a country but a borderless sentence, a life?…What is a country but a life sentence?” asks Little Dog, the narrator of Ocean Vuong’s highly anticipated, critically acclaimed debut novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous (Penguin Press, 2019). On Wednesday, October 2, the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU was honored to welcome award-winning writer and poet Vuong as its 2019-20 Artist-in-Residence.
Vuong read from his breathtaking novel⁠-a letter from a son to his mother that reveals the intergenerational impact and ongoing haunting of war, violence, and forced displacement. He was joined in conversation by friends and special guests Mahogany L. Browne (Black Girl Magic), Alexander Chee (How to Write an Autobiographical Novel), Monica Sok (A Nail the Evening Hangs On), and NYU Gallatin professor Sinan Antoon (The Book of Collateral Damage).
Learn more at apa.nyu.edu.

[@HandleOne]

He never needs to look down at a paper. He opens his mouth and eloquence comes pouring out like water a faucet.

[@chloefirou]

Great to be introduced to all these great writers and their compassionate, empowering stories!

[@InitiativesMan]

I learned a lot from his comments. Thanks

[@jinhaoxie2302]

Cried. Just the last bit.

[@timknight4816]

Beautiful work, I felt immensely though the whole event.

[@janewx1]

Incredible!!!

[@deekshachoudhary4159]

He's great 👍

[@rhymeandrevolution102]

5:05. when OV comes on.

[@nononouh]

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