About the Book: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong is a deeply moving literary novel about unexpected friendship, chosen family, and the transformative power of second chances. When nineteen-year-old Hai is saved from despair by an elderly widow named Grazina, their unlikely bond sets him on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and renewed connection with his family and community. Beautifully written and emotionally resonant, this acclaimed contemporary fiction explores love, loss, hope, and the quiet acts of kindness that can change a life.