1
by Hanya Yanagihara
4.52015
Why you'll love it:
This LGBTQIA+ literary fiction shares similar mood: emotional, sad that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
10 Best Books Like The Emperor of Gladness
If you loved The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Emperor of Gladness are:
- 1A Little Life: A Novel by Hanya Yanagihara4.5
- 2The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid4.6
- 3The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum4.5
- 4Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano4.1
- 5The Sentence by Louise Erdrich3.9
- 6Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin4.1
- 7The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride0
- 8Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult0
- 9Everything I Promised You by Katy Upperman4.4
- 10Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult0
Vuong's evocative collection explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the immigrant experience
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.62017400 pages
Why you'll love it:
This LGBTQIA+ literary fiction shares similar mood: emotional, reflective, sad that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
3
by K. Ancrum
4.52025384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This LGBTQIA+ literary fiction shares shares themes: lgbtq+ that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
4
by Ann Napolitano
4.12023594 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
5
by Louise Erdrich
3.92021387 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic yet hopeful tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
6
by Gabrielle Zevin
4.12022416 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholy and contemplative tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
7
by James McBride
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a bittersweet and contemplative tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
9
by Katy Upperman
4.42025384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
10
by Jodi Picoult
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic yet hopeful tone that will resonate with The Emperor of Gladness fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Emperor of Gladness
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Little Life: A Novel | Hanya Yanagihara | 4.5 | 2015 | — | Closest match |
| The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Taylor Jenkins Reid | 4.6 | 2017 | 400 | Similar vibes |
| The Corruption of Hollis Brown | K. Ancrum | 4.5 | 2025 | 384 | Similar vibes |
| Hello Beautiful | Ann Napolitano | 4.1 | 2023 | 594 | Similar vibes |
| The Sentence | Louise Erdrich | 3.9 | 2021 | 387 | Similar vibes |
| Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow | Gabrielle Zevin | 4.1 | 2022 | 416 | Similar vibes |
| The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | James McBride | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Small Great Things | Jodi Picoult | 0 | 2016 | — | Similar vibes |
| Everything I Promised You | Katy Upperman | 4.4 | 2025 | 384 | Similar vibes |
| Leaving Time | Jodi Picoult | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Ocean Vuong
If you enjoy Ocean Vuong's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Emperor of Gladness?
The most similar books to The Emperor of Gladness are A Little Life: A Novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Corruption of Hollis Brown.
What should I read after The Emperor of Gladness?
After finishing The Emperor of Gladness, readers most commonly pick up A Little Life: A Novel next.
Who writes books like Ocean Vuong?
Authors similar to Ocean Vuong include Madeline Miller, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brit Bennett, Patti Callahan Henry, Colson Whitehead.
What genre is The Emperor of Gladness?
The Emperor of Gladness is a Literary Fiction novel by Ocean Vuong. It features elements of Poetry, LGBTQ+, Immigration.
How long is The Emperor of Gladness?
The Emperor of Gladness varies in length depending on edition.
About The Emperor of Gladness
Vuong's evocative collection explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the immigrant experience through his signature lyrical prose and profound emotional depth. Drawing from personal experience as a Vietnamese-American gay man, this work examines the complexities of family relationships, cultural displacement, and finding one's voice in America. With his characteristic blend of beauty and heartbreak, Vuong creates a powerful meditation on belonging, love, and the search for joy amid struggle. Perfect for readers who appreciate literary poetry, LGBTQ+ narratives, and emotionally resonant explorations of the immigrant experience.