French launch of Ocean Vuong's book The Emperor of Joy
Friday 20 Mar 2026 from 6pm to 8:15pm
Free on booking
To mark the French publication of his forthcoming novel L'empereur de la joie (Gallimard), the Fondation welcomes author Ocean Vuong for a special evening followed by a book signing.
Poet, novelist, essayist and winner of the Whiting Award for Poetry, Ocean Vuong's work is deeply marked by an attention to intimate voices, stories of filiation and areas of fragility where memory, language and identity intersect. With The Emperor of Joy, he continues to write with great sensitivity and intensity, where poetry permeates the narrative and opens up new spaces for emotion and reflection.
Poet, novelist, essayist and winner of the Whiting Award for Poetry, Ocean Vuong's work is deeply marked by his attention to intimate voices, stories of filiation and areas of fragility where memory, language and identity intersect. With The Emperor of Joy, he continues to write with great sensitivity and intensity, infusing his narrative with poetry and opening up new spaces for emotion and reflection.
This evening, hosted by Adam Biles, promises a special moment of sharing around the text, followed by a book signing at the bookshop. A rare encounter with the author, inviting the public to enter into his literary universe and the unique musicality of his writing.
His first novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, received exceptional acclaim around the world and was awarded the Les Inrockuptibles foreign prize in France. He is also the author of a highly acclaimed collection of poetry, Time is a Mother.