Ocean Vuong: The Waterstones Interview

[@billyalarie929]

even the way Ocean speaks is like poetry. every word is a surprise, gentle though pointed.

[@maxlover181]

I was just thinking the same thing. He is so brilliant in his use of language, and the quickness of his thoughts astonish me.

[@Nate1975]

he is so in command of the language, it is truly a destiny for him to be a writer. Such a huge talent. What an interesting young man

[@marigoldandlilies]

I can just spend the rest of my life listening to him speak...

[@nikitaj473]

I could listen to Ocean all day

[@sunra23]

i love how Ocean's language is about translation AND meaning. a lot of writers in the current age gets trapped in either of them. he choses to walk in both realms at the same time and does it saw gracefully. a true poet.

[@rodolphefonty9331]

Not every writer can talk about their works interestingly, Ocean Vuong certainly can and does! I liked the poems ( Night Sky with Exit Wounds) and I am intent on reading his novel. The interviewer gives the author full scope to express himself, thanks.

[@tgurl220]

Damn...i wish i can speak eloquently like Ocean Vuong. Hopefully by listening and watching his interviews, I can absorb something.

[@dalpaengi]

You already think eloquently just by being a listener. The world lacks listeners and knowledge absorbers.

[@ScarletClarity]

He is a pleasure to listen to. I can only hope that I can be as lirical and thoughtful with my words some day as he is.

[@rayowls4228]

finally youtube is recommending videos i want. got this book 2 days ago and i'm almost halfway, it's so hard to put down!

[@ans2634]

Ocean Vuong's poems and their poetry changed my attitudes. To be a maker of worlds takes many years,. Respect to Ocean Vuoung, May your book open the doors of America!

[@FilmundOscarFan99]

Ocean is on the rise!! One of our boldest contemporary voices

[@freshretreat3266]

He is so beautifully articulated. It’s a real pleasure to just hear him talking. I could listen for hours. The book was a marvel.

[@msmacmac1000]

He’s beautiful, brilliant, gentle, embodied wisdom. I have just been introduced to this wonderful poet/ writer. 🙏🏼

[@davidwoodford7304]

I’m in awe of Ocean’s command of language. Inspiring on so many levels! Thanks so much!!

[@hunkhk]

I totally agree, I feel enlightened just hearing words fall out of his mouth so effortlessly

[@sweetpeabee4983]

Aaaaa. When he talks about specificity actually creating something that's more universal, that put words to a feeling I've had for a long time but been unable to express about just _why_ I love art that has those sorts of key small details. Ocean's brain and knack for language just blow me away every time!

[@alexa8257]

His voice sounds so gentle

[@BPEBM]

Just ordered his book. Can't wait to read it. Great interview!

[@ExLibris-Alys]

I could listen to him speaking for hours.

[@jackytang2824]

He is so eloquent. Really want to read his book!

[@noemidiop8015]

Jacky Tang just finished reading it! Highly recommended!!

[@Hoplitelyy]

Oh my, such beautiful command of the English language! Such depth and scope. To hear him speak is enthralling ….as deep as the Ocean itself, what a fitting aptronym 🌺💕🌺

[@mrplatink]

Does anybody else see it? This kid - yes, he's younger than me, not by much, but still a KID - is a GENIUS.

[@weesylology]

He sounds like Meryl Streep from Devil Wears Prada! Such soft-spoken wonderful person

[@SA-di1iv]

Yesss or Micheal Jackson

[@user-yk9sk7pg6v]

Deep discipline of speech.

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

Really nice interview! He is so well-spoken!

[@gauzeeeee]

god i have a crush on this man

[@toft287]

you are not alone

[@neverfrogget]

his mind is a gift to the world

[@loveletterstothemoon]

It's like his voice is weightless.

[@snc9035]

I love his voice. Please tell me there's an audiobook out there where he reads his own novel 🤞🤞🤞

[@rae3928]

Hopefully you've found it by now, but there is!

[@BlessedImangolwa-ci6kj]

This is pure talent

[@Isabella-je9yu]

Wow, just wow... ❤️

[@theaccount4841]

fascinating, very powerful. On the other hand, I think the point about 9/11, safety, and drugs is extremely foggy and lacks a bit of the material architecture to actually deal with the conjunctural question (ie not deal w language only). There's a sense where we actually do know, for sure, that language alone is not enough to approach those relations. Realizing that language is not enough can be extremely liberating.

[@knitterscheidt]

in another interview Ocean speaks of the stereotypical ideas of Asian prodigies, either in Math or Music, but isn't there also the genius who profoundly understands human behavior, emotions, desires and actions, of which Ocean belongs?

[@jacklu1190]

which interview?!

[@WiseOwl_so_1d_like_to_think]

@@jacklu1190 - a bit late, but Here’s the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4C9eqqpoJ6Wd68

[@lilbyte3]

For the love of all things truly beautiful and transformative, read another book!!!

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

fail into pleasure. wow. living poetry

[@glennosmansdeiros]

great book

[@dalpaengi]

That thumbs down is bothersome

[@kristinawalla]

people can easily hit the thumbs-down by accident these days with touch-screens . That must be it.

[@dalpaengi]

Alllove2u exactly. I think that’s what happened 💕 cause I have a hard time accepting anyone deliberately downvoting this ethereal and inspiring young man haha

[@lilbyte3]

i’m screaming! the way he speaks would be immediately mocked and panned in any of my undergraduate literature classes.

[@jocchiaro]

WORDS There are more words than atoms in this world. Their sub-atomic particles spin around their existential nucleus, in the void. Sometimes they combine generating unintelligible emotional quarks. If meaning and anti matter meet they might annihilate each other in a momentary burst of Pure Energy. sergiodib HelloPoetry

[@tessiannacco556]

Its always a great pleasure to listen and watch you during interviews.The word "essay" does not have its origin in French, but in Latin. essay (n.) 1590s, "trial, attempt, endeavor," also "short, discursive literary composition" (first attested in writings of Francis Bacon, probably in imitation of Montaigne), from Middle French essai "trial, attempt, essay" (in Old French from 12c.), from Late Latin exagium "a weighing, a weight," from Latin exigere "drive out; require, exact; examine, try, test," from ex "out" (see ex-) + agere "to set in motion, drive" (from PIE root *ag- "to drive, draw out or forth, move") apparently meaning here "to weigh." The suggestion is of unpolished writing. Compare assay, also examine. essay (v.) "to put to proof, test the mettle of," late 15c., from Middle French essaier, from essai "trial, attempt" (see essay (n.)). This sense has mostly gone with the divergent spelling assay. Meaning "to attempt" is from 1640s. Related: Essayed; essaying.

[@philippawood5047]

Though you are right in seeking a further etymology from Latin, I believe he was correct in referring to the term as used by Montaigne to describe his essays.

[@tessiannacco556]

@@philippawood5047 You are entitled to believe that he was correct. I think otherwise. If one mentions the origin of a word, it has to be the "true origin" of the word. Otherwise, it is misconstrued.

[@wavechamber]

He is the MASTER of English language.

[@navideology]

❤️

[@onlineacct8776]

Hes spoken like a great old retired harvard professor. I dont even understand half of what his talking.

[@Josh-nv3qs]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ananyadutta1154]

Vuong may as well leave no flatness of my flesh on the bones with the teeth clattering some sound like "Fear becomes a national identity".

[@lilbyte3]

to hear his unctuous voice describe sex is going to make me regurgitate my queer breakfast. there is nothing especially precious about gay sex - everyone on the planet grows into their desires.

[@lilbyte3]

take a drink every time this fool says “precarious”.

[@coralaltamirano3285]

[@awesumevideos]

he sounds like michael jackson

[@omayraroman9608]

The two faucet seemingly cause because fireplace hemperly delay above a nervous alphabet. perpetual, roasted attack

[@lilbyte3]

i feel fear & pity for those in the comments who have fallen for the nonsense rizz this so-called author pawns off as profundity. writing a letter to someone who cannot read it is “comically absurd”? no, it’s cruel and perverse.

[@21st_linda]

❤