Do you know who the boy who could not even read until the age of 11 became the world's most celebrated author?
Yes, that boy is none other than Ocean Vuong. For today, the Author of the Day is Ocean Vuong
He is well-known and recognised as a world-famous poet and novelist in 2026.
Due to his writing style, which is honest, emotional, and beautifully scripted in all his novels. Today, he is one of the most talked -about the author in the world, especially after his latest novel release in 2025, The Emperor of Gladness, became the best-selling novel in the world.
Let’s explore his biography, the story behind his name as “Ocean”, his major books and awards, and the Emperor of Gladness in detail.
Also Read: Author of the Day: Dr Seuss
Source: Peter Bienkowski
Quick Facts about the Author of the Day: Ocean Vuong
- Born: He was born in 1988 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Early Life: In his early years, he lived in a refugee camp in the Philippines before moving to Hartford, Connecticut, at the age of 2.
- Language: He was the first in his family to be well-known about English, and he could read and write at the age of 11.
- Education: He studied at Brooklyn College and New York University (NYU).
- Current Role: Currently, he is serving as Professor of Creative Writing at NYU.
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What was the story behind his name “Ocean”?
Ocean Vuong was born as the name “Vinh Quoc Vuong”, but his mother, Le Kim Hong, gave him the name “Ocean” because she wanted to honour the sea that connects their home in Vietnam to his new life in the United States.
He was raised by his mother and grandmother, who worked in a nail salon and factories to support him.
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Major Books and Awards
Ocean Vuong has written several famous books, which have been honoured with different awards like the MacArthur "Genius" Grant and the T.S. Eliot Prize.
| Book Title | Year | Genre | Why It’s Famous |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Emperor of Gladness | 2025 | Novel | Oprah’s Book Club Pick; follows a teen named Hai in a small town. |
| Time Is a Mother | 2022 | Poetry | Written after the death of his mother; deals with grief. |
| On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous | 2019 | Novel | A letter from a son to his mother; over 1 million copies sold. |
| Night Sky with Exit Wounds | 2016 | Poetry | Won the T.S. Eliot Prize; about war and family. |
About The Emperor of Gladness
The latest novel by Ocean Vuong is “The Emperor of Gladness”, which was released in 2025, and this novel became a best-seller. In 2026, everyone is reading his second novel, while “On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous” in 2019 was his first novel.
This novel is also chosen for Oprah’s Book Club, and Oprah Winfrey, the iconic American media executive, called this novel ”one of the best books I’ve ever read.”
The story of the Emperor of Gladness is about a 19-year-old named Hai, who becomes the caretaker for an elderly woman. It explores the theme of memory, immigrant life, and finding the “Gladness”, even in his harsh & struggling time.
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Why does he still matter today?
Ocean Vuong, who has come from a family where his mother and grandmother used to work on nail-saloon, and who also lived in a refugee camp in the Philippines, is very important and shows how anyone can achieve his/her goal with consistent hard work.
He gives a voice to the people on the margins, like immigrants, the working class, and the LGBTQ+ community.
He always says and talks about the “endurance” in his writing works, and takes care of the stories that have been passed down to other generations.
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