Tuesday Night Book Club: The Emperor of Gladness

Join us for a discussion of The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, a luminous and deeply compassionate novel about chosen family, survival, and the quiet forces that bind people together. Set in the postindustrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, the story follows nineteen-year-old Hai, who, on the brink of despair forms an unexpected bond with Grazina, an elderly widow living with dementia. As Hai becomes Grazina’s caretaker, the two forge a transformative relationship grounded in empathy, memory, and shared vulnerability. Over the course of a year, their connection reshapes Hai’s understanding of himself, his family, and the fractured community around him. Tender, searching, and beautifully rendered, the novel explores how love and human connection offer the possibility of healing and second chances on the margins of American life. Copies are available at the first-floor circulation desk. New members are always welcome!