No

by Ocean Vuong

Almost all of the titles in this beautiful "little" book bleed into the poems that follow them—so goes Ocean Vuong's way of piercing at his subconscious until we are aware of it as part of our collective unconscious. What this poet sees on the street, in a blizzard, or even while studying an apple reminds me of those dreams we have in common: dreams in which we are falling but never touch ground, dreams in which we are naked in the presence of men suited for our ruin.
—Jericho Brown, Please

Anyone who has already sensed that “hope is a feathered thing that dies in the Lord’s mouth,” should get their hands on NO. Honest, intimate, and brimming with lyric intensity, these stunning poems come of age with a fifth of vodka and an afternoon in an attic, with a record stuck on please, with starlight on a falling bomb. Even as Vuong leads you through every pleasure a body deserves and all the ensuing grief, these poems restore you with hope, that godforsaken thing—alive, singing along to the radio, suddenly sufficient.
—Traci Brimhall, Our Lady of the Ruins

Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Queer, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Ocean Vuong is the author of the critically acclaimed poetry collections Night Sky with Exit Wounds and Time is a Mother, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous. A recipient of the American Book Award and the MacArthur “Genius Grant," he has also worked as a line cook, tobacco harvester, nursing home volunteer, and fast-food server, the latter becoming inspiration for The Emperor of Gladness. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City.

Reviews

[Edward Rathke · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite poetry collections of 2013. Maybe my absolute favorite. I'll be looking out for whatever he does from now on.

My interview with Ocean at Monkeybicycle.

[Theresa Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9

[Christoph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing little book with breathtaking poems on loss, lack, and life.

[Van Empasis · Rating 3 out of 5]

As if the book bleeds--and flows into the crevices of your heart, palpitating and echoing till it reaches far in your thoughts.

[LP · Rating 4 out of 5]

No feels like being inside someone else’s mind for a little while, seeing the world through their grief, their joy, and their small, sharp observations. The poems hurt and linger, but there is also a quiet hope that makes you keep turning the pages.