Reading and Conversation with Ocean Vuong
Celebrating the Release of His New Novel The Emperor of Gladness
Join The Contemporary Austin and First Light Books at Distribution Hall in East Austin for an intimate evening with renowned poet and author Ocean Vuong. To celebrate the release of his highly anticipated new novel The Emperor of Gladness, this special event will feature a short reading by Vuong, followed by a moderated conversation reflecting on his literary career and the themes explored in this latest work. A short audience Q&A will conclude the event.
Doors Open: 6:30P
Program with Ocean Vuong: 7:30-8:30P
Event Ends: 9P
Location: Distribution Hall – 1500 E 4th Street, Austin, TX 78702
Tickets include a signed copy of Vuong's new book, which will be distributed to ticket holders at the event. Complimentary cocktails and refreshments will be served until the program begins at 7:30P.
Update: Student tickets are now sold out. Discounted student tickets that don't include a signed book are available in limited supply. See additional student ticketing details below.
The Contemporary Austin is thrilled to welcome Vuong to Austin to additionally celebrate the newly painted portrait of the author by Jiab Prachakul, included in her exhibition Sweet Solitude, currently on view at The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center.
For accommodation requests, please contact [email protected].
Members of The Contemporary Austin
Please log in with your Member ID to purchase your discounted ticket.
Members of First Light Books
Enter your promo code at check out for discounted General Admission tickets
Students
Student tickets are sold out!
Be prepared to show your current student ID when checking into the event. Those unable to present their ID will be charged an additional $10 to meet General Admission pricing.
About Ocean Vuong and The Emperor of Gladness
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 MacArthur “Genius Grant" and the American Book Award, he used to work as a fast-food server, which inspired The Emperor of Gladness. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, he currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts, and New York City.
With the 2025 release of The Emperor of Gladness, Ocean Vuong returns with a big-hearted novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive. Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. Hallmarks of Vuong’s writing – formal innovation, syntactic dexterity, and the ability to twin grit with grace through tenderness – are on full display in this story of loss, hope, and how far we would go to possess one of life’s most fleeting mercies: a second chance.
About First Light Books
The Contemporary Austin is pleased to partner with First Light Books as the official bookseller for this event. First Light Books is an independent neighborhood book shop and cafe in Hyde Park. Opened in the fall 2023 in the historic post office building, First Light offers al fresco seating, regular events and programming, and a thoughtfully curated selection of books for all ages. For more info: firstlightaustin.com.
Images: Photo of Ocean Vuong by Gioncarlo Valentine; Cover image of The Emperor of Gladness; Jiab Prachakul, Ocean Vuong, 2024. Acrylic on linen. 63 x 78 3/4. Installation view, Jiab Prachakul: Sweet Solitude, The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue, 2025. Artwork © Jiab Prachakul. Commissioned by The Contemporary Austin. Courtesy the artist, Micki Meng, and Timothy Taylor. Photograph by Alex Boeschenstein.
