If you’re a fan of lyrical fiction, stories about identity, grief, queerness, and the immigrant experience, then chances are Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong are already on your radar—or your TBR pile. But which one hits harder? Which one lingers longer?

Let’s dive into the beautiful messiness of both novels and see how they stack up.

🌀 The Vibe Check: How Each Book Feels

Martyr! is like walking into a fever dream—fragmented, poetic, surreal. You’re dropped into the mind of Cyrus Shams, a queer Iranian American poet struggling with addiction, grief, and a deep obsession with martyrdom. The book bounces between timelines, perspectives, and hallucinations. It’s not always linear, but it is always lyrical.

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous takes a more grounded, emotional route. Written as a letter from Little Dog to his mother, who can’t read, the novel explores their Vietnamese American experience through war memories, family trauma, and queer love. It’s soft, raw, and devastating in the best way.

🧠 Big Ideas and Bigger Feelings

Both books are feeling-heavy and deeply introspective—but they tackle their themes differently.

In Martyr!, Akbar goes deep on big, existential questions: What does it mean to live a meaningful life? Is suffering noble? It’s intense but incredibly rewarding, especially if you like your fiction with a philosophical edge.

Vuong’s novel is quieter but no less powerful. It’s about navigating your identity when your past is full of pain—how you hold love and violence in the same breath. It’s intimate and deeply personal, like reading someone’s most sacred diary.

🖋️ Language: Poetry in Motion

Both authors are award-winning poets, and you can feel it in their writing.

• Akbar writes in dense, metaphor-packed prose. It’s experimental and rich—sometimes a bit much—but it suits the chaotic emotional world of his main character.
• Vuong, on the other hand, keeps things clean and piercing. His lines are simple, lyrical, and full of emotional weight. One sentence can stop you cold.

If you like language that challenges you, go with Akbar. If you like language that pierces you, Vuong’s your guy.

🔥 So Which Book “Wins”?

We get it. You want to know: which one should you pick up first? Let’s break it down in a quick, easy table:

📊 So Which Book “Wins”?

✨ Final Thoughts

If you’re a reader who loves being pushed out of your comfort zone—stylistically and emotionally—Martyr! is a must-read. It’s messy, brave, and utterly unique. But if you want a book that cuts straight to the heart and stays there, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is your perfect match.

Honestly, the best move? Read both. One will shake you up. The other will soothe your soul.