Overview

• Oprah Winfrey announced her latest book club pick, Ocean Vuong’s novel 'The Emperor of Gladness,' on May 13, 2025.
• The novel follows the poignant relationship between a suicidal teen and an elderly widow with dementia, set in a Connecticut town.
• Vuong, who drew inspiration from his Vietnamese-American immigrant and working-class upbringing, described the selection as a deeply personal milestone.
• Known for his poetic prose, Vuong has received prestigious honors such as the MacArthur Fellowship and T.S. Eliot Prize.
• Winfrey’s endorsement includes a video podcast interview and free excerpts, amplifying the novel’s reach and cultural impact.