Book Buzz: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
“Stunning . . . A heartfelt and powerful examination of those living on the fringes of society, and the unique challenges they face to survive and thrive.” —Oprah Winfrey
The Emperor of Gladness is the story of the life-altering friendship between Hai, a nineteen-year-old bereft and out of options, and Grazina, an elderly widow succumbing to dementia. Over the course of a year, this unlikely pair develops a life-altering bond, one built on empathy, spiritual reckoning, and heartache. Lyrical and evocative, this powerful novel was an instant New York Times bestseller, Winner of the Nautilus Book Award, and Longlisted for the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence.
Copies of the book are available at the Main Library one month before the discussion (both regular and large print). eBooks and eAudiobooks can also be found on Libby and Hoopla.
- Date:
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Time:
- 10:00am - 11:30am
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Ludlow Room
- Campus:
- Shaker Main Library
- Audience:
- Adults
- Categories:
- Adult Book Discussions