As one of the legions who fell hard for On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, I can’t believe I’m giving Vuong’s sophomore novel just three stars. I will have to let it sit and write more later. My expectations were so high, so the disappointing elements really knocked me for a loop. I could have handled some overwrought prose, but the scenes where the whole gang banded together to embark on a far-fetched quest were (dare I say?) cringe-worthy, calling Shaggy and friends to mind even before they all jumped in a van and, on the way out of town, picked up the demented old lady in the owl sweater. A difficult blow to bear when all off Briefly Gorgeous was so pure and perfect.

That said, I know Hai and Sony and Grazina will always have a warm place in my heart. Maybe one day I’ll re-read just the beautiful parts — and there are many! — skipping over the pages that miss the mark.