The Emperor of Gladness

The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong (Release Date: May 13, 2025)

Ocean Vuong’s upcoming novel, The Emperor of Gladness, is a deeply poetic and emotionally charged story that explores themes of grief, survival, human connection, and the passage of time. Set in East Gladness, Connecticut, the novel follows 19-year-old Hai, a young man grappling with the recent loss of his mother and struggling to find his place in a world that seems indifferent to his pain.

Drifting through life with no clear direction, Hai unexpectedly crosses paths with Grazina, an elderly woman with dementia. In a chance encounter that quickly transforms into a profound relationship, Hai becomes her caretaker, guiding her through the fragmented world of her fading memories. As Grazina slips further into the past, Hai finds himself drawn into her stories—stories that reveal hidden truths about love, war, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Through Vuong’s signature lyrical prose, The Emperor of Gladness paints a stunning portrait of two souls tethered together by fate, exploring how memory shapes identity and how even the most fleeting relationships can leave an everlasting impact. With its meditative exploration of loss, healing, and the small yet powerful acts of kindness that sustain us, the novel cements Vuong’s reputation as one of the most compelling literary voices of his generation.