965. Ocean Vuong

Ocean Vuong discusses his new novel, *The Emperor of Gladness*, exploring themes of addiction, suicide, and unlikely friendships. Vuong explains the novel opens with a suicide contemplation to explore the aftermath of choosing to live without hope, inspired by his uncle's suicide and his mother's death. He delves into the concept of "circumstantial family," highlighting the kinship found in labor, drawing from his experiences working various jobs. The conversation touches on the long consequences of violence, reflected in the characters' backgrounds marked by war and trauma. Vuong also shares personal connections to the characters, including his experience living with a Lithuanian refugee and the inspiration behind the character Sony, named after the electronics company.