Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong

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<p>I'm looking for a novel that reads like poetry - where should I start? Can you recommend a queer love story with a happy conclusion? What are the best books that explore small-town life? We put your book dilemmas to bestselling author Ocean Vuong and Penguin Editor and award-winning poet Sarah Howe.</p><br><p>Joining Rhianna this week is Ocean Vuong, whose latest book <em>The Emperor of Gladness</em> has been dubbed the first 'millennial Great American Novel' – but what does that really mean, and which classic American novels have inspired him? The author and poet also reflects on the themes and inspirations behind the book, from small-town Connecticut to intergenerational friendships.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Discover all the books mentioned in this episode <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/ask-penguin-podcast-with-ocean-vuong?utm_campaign=Season 3 episode1 &amp;utm_source=penguinwebsite&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_camteam=penguin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>To ask a question and for exclusive content and giveaways join our Broadcast channel on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/penguinukbooks/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PenguinUKBooks&nbsp;</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ocean Vuong is an award-winning poet, essayist and novelist. He is the winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize for his poetry collection Night<em> Sky with Exit Wounds, </em>and his debut novel <em>On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous</em> was a literary sensation, going on to sell more than a million copies. Amongst many other accolades, he was a recipient of the MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ in 2019 and The Whiting Award in 2016.&nbsp;</p><br><p><em>The Emperor of Gladness</em>, Vuong’s latest novel, explores themes of chosen family and the ways in which our lives can be changed by the most unexpected people.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Sarah Howe is Poetry Editor for Chatto &amp; Windus an imprint of Penguin as well as an award-winning author. Sarah’s first collection, <em>Loop of Jade</em> won the T. S. Eliot Prize in 2015, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award the same year. Her follow-up collection<em>,</em> <em>Foretokens</em>, continues to explore ideas and complications of belonging, identity and inheritance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>