I had a rather negative experience with his book "Waiting". I initially despised it. However, I decided to give his work another chance. Sadly, I was still left disappointed. This particular book, although I enjoyed it to a certain extent, I still felt that it was incomplete at the end. Jin's writing style is such that the story seems to drag on, constantly leaving you in a state of wonder. It builds and builds, creating anticipation, and then, in the last few pages - bam! The story suddenly ties together and ends, leaving you with a sense of confusion and the thought - what now? All that build-up for this? It really makes you think about how much time we waste only seeing what we want to see and not the truth. Are we missing out on so much by not being open to the real picture? It's a thought-provoking aspect of the book that lingers even after you've finished reading.

In early 1989, Jian Wan, a graduate student majoring in Chinese literature at a university in a southern Chinese city, spent a significant portion of his day by the bedside of his professor, who had suffered a stroke and was also his future father-in-law. During the professor's ravings, a few unexpected truths emerged.

The narrative vividly portrays the culture of corruption and cronyism, gradually leading to the tragedy of Tiananmen in an inexorable manner. Although some of the dialogue may seem a bit artificial, it is all thought-provoking and engaging, with exquisitely portrayed characters.

The story not only presents a vivid picture of the social and cultural background of that era but also delves deep into the complex emotions and psychological states of the characters. It makes the reader reflect on the various issues and challenges faced by society at that time and how they influenced the lives and fates of individuals.

Overall, it is a powerful and moving work that offers valuable insights into a particular period of Chinese history.

This book offers a detailed account of the experiences of a young Chinese student during the events related to Tiananmen Square.

It vividly presents the disputes that occurred within the university and the control exerted over the intelligentsia. The way students are influenced and perhaps even corrupted by the system of granting scholarships is also depicted in a dramatic manner. This is shown through the madness of a teacher who is visited in the hospital by the narrator-character and his girlfriend.

The final escape described in the book may not seem entirely believable at first glance. However, it serves to illustrate the extreme desperation that can arise under a situation of brutal repression.

Overall, the book provides a thought-provoking look at a particular period in Chinese history and the various issues and challenges that students and the intelligentsia faced during that time.

An OK read. I first discovered Ha Jin through a short story titled "When Cowboy Chicken Came to Town" which I truly liked and even used in my class. Given that positive experience, I had high expectations for a novel by him. However, it didn't quite meet those expectations. The basic storyline is that a PhD candidate, Jian, who is also the future son-in-law, keeps watch over his professor in the hospital. Through the professor's seemingly crazy ramblings, Jian manages to piece together the professor's life and also starts to reflect on his own actions and what he is doing with his life. For most of the book, I was on the verge of completely writing it off. But then, towards the end, something finally starts to happen, which gives a glimmer of hope and makes the reading experience a bit more engaging.

First, let me say that I truly adored the feel of the paper in this book.

I absolutely LOVED it. It had such a wonderful texture that it felt great beneath my fingers.

Please, someone, tell me that I'm not the only one who notices and appreciates such things.

I can't recall when I last paid attention to the quality of the paper in a book, but this one was truly lovely.

Now, as for the book itself, it was just okay.

I had hoped for more, and perhaps that's my own fault.

Ha Jin does tell an amazing story, but to be honest, I was rather put off by the constant reciting of poems, chants, and songs.

It simply got old after a while.

Not to mention that I'm not a huge fan of poetry in general (although there are exceptions), and this just seemed like blah blah blah to me.

The portrayal of the brain-injured was decent, and even better was the portrayal of those who are trying to deal with a loved one who is saying crazy things that can be embarrassing, harsh, truthful, or just plain babble.

You can take your pick.

The best part of the story for me was in the last 50 pages, but I was not at all pleased with the ending.

Nope. I really wanted to know how things ended!

Spell it out for me, author!

It was like the ending of "The Sopranos," hitting me suddenly and leaving me thinking, "What? No! We can't end here!"

Overall, it was a solid read, and although the ending made me a bit peeved, I'll definitely read more of Ha Jin's work in the future.

This book may not be the most profound one, but it does have a clear message.

It makes us realize that what we see on the surface is not always the truth.

Often, there are hidden aspects and deeper meanings that we need to uncover.

The story or content within the book might present situations where appearances can be deceiving.

It could be through the actions of the characters, the events that unfold, or the overall context.

By reading this book, we are encouraged to look beyond the obvious and question what lies beneath.

This can help us develop a more critical and discerning eye, enabling us to better understand the world around us.

Although it may not offer the most in-depth exploration of complex themes, its simple yet powerful messaging can have a significant impact on our perception and understanding of reality.

I read this for a Post Modern American Literature English course at university. It truly opened my eyes to the tragedy of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

During that period, the middle and upper classes were horribly exploited by the lower classes. It was a time when the neighbor who would once mow your lawn and care for you could later betray you to the government.

This experience has given me a new perspective on the impact of trauma. The trauma that lasts for decades and affects generations is truly profound. It makes me realize how fragile our social fabric can be and how important it is to learn from history to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

I am grateful for this opportunity to learn about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and its far-reaching consequences. It has broadened my understanding of different cultures and historical events and has made me more empathetic towards the experiences of others.

Overall, this reading has been a valuable and eye-opening experience that will stay with me for a long time.

The Crazed is a captivating novel that delves into the life of Jien Wen, a graduate student in China during the tumultuous Tienanmen Square uprising.

When his future father-in-law and academic mentor suffers a severe stroke, Jien is assigned as one of his caregivers. Every afternoon, Jien attempts to study for his PhD qualifying exams, but he is constantly distracted by the old professor's rants and ravings about Mao and the shortcomings of being an academic.

At first, Jien dismisses these as the delusions of a sick man. However, as time passes, he begins to question his own professional and academic choices, as well as his upcoming marriage. The story highlights the power of influence and how easily one's beliefs can be shaken.

I found The Crazed to be a thought-provoking read. Jien's vulnerability to the old man's words made me wonder about the impact of our surroundings on our decision-making. Additionally, the novel sheds light on the political and social context of China during that time, where meritocracy, freedom, and fairness seemed elusive.

Jin does an excellent job of portraying the frustration and sense of entrapment that Jien experiences. The rantings of the madman, which initially seemed absurd, gradually become a source of sanity in a world where everything is in doubt. Overall, The Crazed is a must-read for those interested in exploring the human psyche and the impact of historical events on individuals.

The story unfolds after Mr. Yang - the crazed one - passed away.

Although the last part and the ending seem rather far-fetched, Ha Jin manages to draw out an etiquette symbolism related to the Revolution of 1989.

Ha Jin's stories are indeed among the most haunting within the realm of Chinese ethnic writers. Fortunately, he has managed to escape the trap of Chinese writers telling traumatic personal stories merely to capture the Western audience's attention.

However, it is possible that he could be more tender, meticulous, and unbiased in his portrayals.

If Ha Jin's aim is to achieve sensationalism and provocation in literature, then perhaps Chinese exile writers have taken on this mission.

Yet, one wonders if there is a better way to tell stories that can both engage and enlighten readers without sacrificing the authenticity and depth of the subject matter.

Maybe Ha Jin could explore different narrative techniques and perspectives to present a more nuanced and comprehensive view of the human experience.

After all, literature has the power to touch hearts, open minds, and inspire change, and it is up to the writer to use this power wisely.

This was really good. It provided me (as did "Waiting") with such an astonishing peek into the personal and cultural disparities between Chinese life and ours.

Moreover, it was an interesting "young man finds himself" narrative. There was a particular part in the story where the main character's literature professor expounded on his theory regarding the difference between Western and Eastern poetry. He posited that Western society is founded on the individual, and thus a writer safeguards his individuality as something precious and assumes a persona for writing. In contrast, Eastern society is so centered on the community (an individual's actions are strongly swayed by the public's opinion) that a Chinese writer always writes from his own life and perspective. It is his sole opportunity to experience his individuality.

I believe this is (for me) the key theme to take away from the book. Throughout the course of the book, the main character progresses from doing what is expected (getting married, obtaining his PhD in literature, becoming a scholar) to something extremely bold and "Western".

I don't possess a great deal of knowledge about Chinese culture, but from what I have witnessed... How do they manage to keep going? How does it all function? Why doesn't the individual shout out more? Or perhaps he does, but he is simply so effectively suppressed that it never amounts to anything? Maybe once a place reaches a billion people, an individual can truly have no impact.

As a university student aspiring to graduate studies, I am well aware of the challenges that can arise, especially when "office politics" interferes with research. However, being a student in a democratic and free country, I am grateful that I have the freedom to pursue my research in any direction, as long as I can obtain the necessary funding. Ha Jin's novel The Crazed offers us a glimpse into the Chinese academic world of the recent past. Like the protagonist, Jian Wan, it makes us question the present and future of studies in a highly insulated communist country.

Set in the late 1980s, just before the tragic events at Tiananmen Square, The Crazed tells the story of a young graduate student in the Chinese Language and Literature department at a small university. Jian Wan's advisor, who is also his future father-in-law, suffers a severe stroke. Since Professor Yang's wife is in Tibet and his daughter is in Beijing, Jian Wan and a few other dedicated students, including the kind-hearted country boy Banping and the quietly intelligent Weiya, decide to take turns caring for Professor Yang until his wife arrives. During this time, Jian is preparing to take the entrance examinations for Beijing University so that he can be with his fiancée, Meimei, who is Professor Yang's daughter, and perhaps eventually secure a place at an American university for the two of them.
Professor Yang's stroke has a profound impact on him, and he experiences bouts of delirium. He begins by singing outdated communist anthems and telling stories in a confused manner. As time passes, however, Professor Yang reveals snippets of his private life and his thoughts on the life of a scholar, leaving his students to piece together these fragments of information. The other students are less affected by Professor Yang's ravings, either because he puts on his lecturer's mask when he sees them (the undergraduates) or because they simply don't care to dwell on such things (Banping). As Jian Wan spends more time with Professor Yang, he starts to question whether he should take the entrance examinations for Beijing University at all. Instead, he wonders if a life in the policy-making branch of the government might be more suitable for him. Meimei, who is determined to live in Beijing at all costs, gives him an ultimatum: either take the exams or end the engagement.
Jian had never been particularly interested in politics, but the ravings of Professor Yang, combined with a trip to an impoverished town in the countryside, push him further and further away from taking the examinations. What he fails to realize is that there are forces at work conspiring against him.
The final part of the book is where the story becomes a bit muddled. The physical action intensifies, but the ending feels rushed and leaves the reader somewhat unsatisfied.

Overall, The Crazed provides an interesting and thought-provoking look at the Chinese academic and political landscape of the late 1980s. It raises important questions about the role of scholars in society, the influence of politics on education, and the choices that individuals must make in the face of difficult circumstances. While the ending may not be perfect, the novel as a whole is well worth reading for anyone interested in these topics.

Scoring 9 out of 10

I have discovered a new author, and their book has been sitting on my To Be Read (TBR) list for far too long.

Today, I finally completed it. I didn't take so long because I disliked it, but rather because it took me a while to start.

I truly loved the book. The meanderings of Professor Yang, the impact they have on those who hear them, and the actions that result from them... All of it was extremely interesting to read.

Amidst all the talk of the party and the revolution (it's the time of the student uprising in Tiananmen), I was surprised to learn about the growth of one individual. This person took the truth from his professor's words, deduced the reasons for other people's actions, and made a decision.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book! It offers a unique perspective on a significant period in history and explores the power of ideas and personal growth.