Man, historical fiction!

I have been continuously attempting to like you. However, you persistently present me with crappy lovey-dovey stories that merely have some historical elements tossed in. This book consisted of 300 pages during which I patiently awaited for the characters to become more engaging and the story to unfold. It is indeed well-written, and the chapters are quite easy to read, featuring a decent amount of dialogue. Nevertheless, overall, I did not have a favorable impression of this book. I would rate it a 2.5 out of 5.

Also, there is a major trigger warning for a graphic rape scene that seemingly appears out of nowhere. I was completely unprepared, and quite frankly, I don't believe it was necessary from a plot perspective. Meh. December seems to be a month where I end up reading crummy books, and this has been the case for two consecutive years.

It's rather disappointing, as I had hoped for more from historical fiction. Maybe in the future, I'll come across a better example that will truly capture my interest and make me appreciate this genre.

A beautiful novel indeed! Ha Jin's Waiting has truly made a profound impression on me. The opening lines are captivating: "Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu. Together they had appeared at the courthouse in Wujia Town many times, but she had always changed her mind at the last moment when the judge asked if she would accept a divorce. Year after year, they went to Wujia Town and came back with the same marriage license issued to them by the county's registry office twenty years before."

Contrary to the opinions of many readers, this work didn't strike me as a typical love story. Instead, it felt more like a tale of profound suffering and a man's arduous journey in search of inner peace. Lin Kong's repeated attempts to divorce Shuyu and the emotional turmoil that ensued painted a vivid picture of the complex web of relationships and the sacrifices one has to make. The story delved deep into the human psyche, exploring themes such as duty, obligation, and the pursuit of personal happiness. It made me reflect on the choices we make in life and the consequences that follow. Waiting is not just a novel; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

This book was like the Long March: I walked, walked, got tired, wore myself out.

When my friends read it almost 20 years ago, they told me it was about a man who waited almost a whole life to get divorced and nothing more. But since it won the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, I thought it must have some merit. Well, it doesn't. The characters are boring, flat and don't arouse the slightest emotion. The writing is childish, at the level of a 7th-grade composition. It was worth it for the historical portrayal, since it covers a period of 20 years, a little after the Chinese Cultural Revolution until the 1980s, with an interesting contrast with traditional and rural culture.

However, this alone is not enough to make up for the shortcomings of the book. The story lacks depth and the characters lack development. It seems more like a simple chronicle of events rather than a well-crafted novel. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

3.4

Why was this a National Book Award Winner? That's the question I kept asking myself as I read. It wasn't until the end that I think I understand.

What will I remember? Probably the contrast between the rural and urban peoples and Chinese urban life in the '70s compared with that of the United States. The description of the rural areas painted a vivid picture of a simple and traditional lifestyle, while the urban scenes展现了 a more modern and bustling environment. The differences in values, beliefs, and daily routines were truly eye-opening.

I also wondered about the historical relationship between China and Russia. Two different cultures with a long border. How did they interact and influence each other over the years? This aspect of the book added an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story.

Will I read this again?... hmm. It's a tough question. On one hand, the book was engaging and thought-provoking. On the other hand, there were some parts that I found a bit slow-paced. Overall, it was a worthwhile read, but I'm not sure if I would pick it up again.

The main thing that really stands out to me about this book is that nobody is perfect.

In fact, hardly any of the characters are likeable. However, you don't really find yourself disliking them too much either. Take Lin, the main character. He is very weak-willed and lives a rather dispassionate life. But then, he goes through a lot with his different partners and ultimately follows through, which has to be respected. Plus, even though you might be irritated with him until the last page, that page does redeem him to some extent. I won't spoil it here.

Manna starts off as a voice of passion and reason. But after such a long wait for her love, she has changed irreversibly due to the effects of certain events and the absence of others. Lin finds himself with someone quite different from the woman he originally met, although glimmers of her still shine through. I'm guessing this is a realistic portrayal of how we change as we move through adulthood.

I did feel sorry for Shuyu. Even though she was a very simple character, in the end, her constant love and affection won me over. I was glad that her life did manage to improve, and her simple honesty was really warm.

Ultimately, the book painted a realistic (albeit slightly flat and dispassionate) picture of how love isn't always as great as it's made out to be, and living up to expectations is often an impossible task.

Well, I really can't fault this book for false advertising.

Just think about it. When you pick up a book titled "Waiting", what exactly do you expect to occur?

And then, after all that waiting, will the anticipated actions unfold as joyously as our expectations lead us to believe?

I'm fully aware that this book won not just one, but two awards. So, clearly, it must be me who's not quite getting it. I have several other works by Ha Jin on my to-be-read list, and I'm determined to give it another shot.

I don't really mind when a book lacks a great deal of action, as is evident from all the Anita Brookner novels I've devoured. However, I also didn't really manage to gain a firm understanding of the various Chinese customs, foods, or habits from this book.

Perhaps with a second reading, I'll be able to pick up on those details that I missed the first time around.

Ha Jin masterfully crafts immediate tension right from the opening line of the novel: “Every summer Lin Kong returned to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu” (3). The story revolves around Lin Kong, a city doctor during China’s tumultuous cultural revolution, as he tirelessly endeavors to obtain a divorce from his country wife in court.

The first time I read the scenes, my only hope was to witness Lin Kong finally succeed in getting a divorce and be united with his true love, Manna Wu. However, upon a second reading and in retrospect, I’ve come to realize how Ha Jin artfully sets us up for this union of the seemingly hopeless lovers, only to lead us to anticlimactic revelations throughout the narrative. For instance, the wedding and sex scenes are among the most melancholy I’ve ever come across. Meanwhile, the in-between moments within the novel’s major, anticipated events pulsate with intensity, word by word.

Ha Jin’s narrative trajectories towards these anticlimaxes are truly worthy of multiple readings. The tension is predominantly created through narrative irony, which, in the context of this book, more than anything else, reflects the immeasurable tragedies of life and the way such events are only perceived as tragic in hindsight. It is an eloquent, wisdom-infused novel that is bound to make you look up from the page and into the air, with your mindset forever altered.

My heartfelt thanks go to Alexis for recommending this remarkable book.

It tells the story of Lin, an army doctor residing on a military base in an unspecified location in China. For many long years, he has been separated from his wife and daughter, who are engaged in farming in the countryside. Lin has been deeply in love with Manna, an army nurse, for seventeen years. During this period, he has made numerous attempts, all in vain, to obtain a divorce from Shuyu, his gentle peasant wife, in order to marry Manna.

The book contains very little external action. Instead, all the action unfolds within the minds of Lin and Manna, and this is masterfully depicted. Lin, a caring, sensitive scholar, grapples with the dilemma of doing the right thing by the women in his life, fully aware that no matter what he decides, he will inevitably hurt one of them. The author also vividly portrays Manna's inner turmoil as she strives to find love and happiness, her growing bitterness as she remains unmarried and childless, and her final emotional upheaval when she finally attains her dream.

The book delves into several crucial issues. It ponders the nature of true love. Does such a thing truly exist? And how can one know when it has been achieved? Additionally, it highlights the irony that anticipation often proves to be more desirable than the actual realization of one's dreams.

Furthermore, the book provides a reflection of life in China after the Cultural Revolution. It offers a fascinating glimpse into a completely different way of life and thinking. I found this aspect to be truly captivating.

This is a gentle, thought-provoking book that closely aligns with the nature of the protagonist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Sunkų nuspręsti, kaip vertinti šią knygą. Pirmiausia, tai yra tokia lyg ir paprasta knyga, kuri yra apie žmonių kasdienį gyvenimą. Tokį gyvenimą, į kurį panašus galbūt galėtų vykti visai šalia. Tačiau, kartu ir nėra tiesiogiai paprasta knyga.

Viena vertus, labai įdomi buvo pati pasakojimo idėja. Tai yra istorija apie dviejų žmonių ilga laukimą, kol jie galės būti kartu kaip vyras ir žmona. Jų jausmai, mintys ir patirtys visą tai laiką išgyvenant yra labai įdomūs. Taip pat labai traukia perskaityti ir sužinoti, kuo gi visas tas laukimas baigsis. Be to, labai įdomu pamatyti, koks tas mažai pažinotas kasdienis žmogaus gyvenimas buvo tuometinėje Kinijoje. Jis buvo skirtingas, tačiau ir kažkiek panašus į pažįstamą gyvenimą. Labai patiko Lin'o apmąstymai apie save, savo jausmus ir pasirinkimus knygos pabaigoje.

Tačiau, buvo keletas dalykų, kurie man nelabai patiko. Man nepavyko visiškai įsijausti į istoriją. Keliose vietose buvo labai įdomu skaityti ir jaučiuosi, kad noriu būti dalimi tos istorijos. tačiau, didžiojoje dalyje knygos to (bent man) pritrūko. Veikėjai nors buvo domino, tačiau netapo artimi, kai baigiau skaityti knygą. Taip pat, norėjosi daugiau išgirsti apie Šuju ir Hua mintis ir jausmus. tačiau, tai buvo paminėta tik tiek, kiek tai matė Lin'as. Manau, platesnis jų gyvenimo belaukiant grįžtant vyro/tėvo namo visus tuos metus atskleidimas galėjo praturtinti istoriją.

P. S. Kai knygos pradžioje pagrindinis veikėjas buvo įvardintas kaip Linas, kažkaip keistai man nuskambėjo. Vardas tampa toks lietuviškas, kad sunku susivokti, jog jis kiniškas. Suprantu, kad čia buvo sulietuvintas, tačiau man iš vardo dingo tas kitoniškumas, kuriuo pasižymėjo kitų veikėjų vardai.

I truly enjoyed the story.

It was an absolute delight to read about China through the lens of this narrative.

The fact that it was a love story made it even more captivating.

What made it especially unusual was the unique cultural backdrop and the way the characters interacted within that context.

The story painted a vivid picture of life in China, with its rich traditions and modern influences.

It was interesting to see how the love between the characters developed and overcame various obstacles.

The author did a great job of weaving together the elements of romance and culture, creating a story that was both engaging and informative.

I would highly recommend this story to anyone who is interested in learning more about China or simply enjoys a good love story.

It offers a fresh perspective and a memorable reading experience.

“The moment before fulfilment is better than fulfilment itself.” This statement holds true in many aspects of life. The period of waiting can often be more exciting and充满期待 than the actual moment when what one has been looking forward to becomes a reality. Consider the case of waiting for eighteen years for a woman, without any intimate contact, because one's wife refuses to divorce. Only to realize in the end that the second marriage is also not what one expected and that infatuation has been confused with love. This is, in essence, what this book is about. But it is more than that. It also provides a glimpse into life in post-1970s China. It was a conservative and puritanical society where the contact between a man and a woman who were not married to each other was subject to very strict rules, and intimate contact was almost impossible. It is a good and human story about regret that always comes too late. I had to take some time to get used to the Eastern style of writing at the beginning.

I should have known better than to pick up this book after being unimpressed with the writing style of Nanjing Requiem. However, the premise sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a go.

And boy, was I in for a disappointment. Lin might just be the most unsympathetic male character I've ever encountered in all my years as a reader. He is such a whiny, passive, and insufferable fuckboy. He constantly complains about his wife, who hobbles around the house he refuses to share with her, has raised their daughter, cared for his dying parents, and never says a word against him. But he can't be seen with her because she's ugly? And he thinks he likes this new Manna girl, but he's not sure because she's not the most attractive, just more attractive than his wife. It goes on and on and on.

Lin never gives a moment's thought to how his wife and girlfriend are feeling. He only cares about himself and his own comfort, yet he's too paralyzed to actually do anything about his situation. And then, when he finally divorces his wife and marries Manna after eighteen years of waiting, things get hard. She's pregnant, has cravings, and isn't as attractive anymore. She keeps nagging him (although to be fair, she's probably messed up because of the hormones). And now, divorce is starting to look good on his ex-wife. She's happy now, and he misses her cooking and doing his laundry. So maybe he should go back to her? At least he won't have to wait as long this time because Manna is sick and will surely die soon, thank God.

What. The. FUCK. The worst part is, I couldn't figure out if the author intended for us to hate this guy or if he sincerely believed him to be deserving of our pity. Either way, it's just a load of shit.