My first encounter with a work by Ha Jin was an absolute delight.

His writing style is so captivating that it held my attention firmly from start to finish.

The simplicity of his language, combined with his remarkable command of vocabulary and description, makes the story truly come alive.

Although I had no prior knowledge of the history of China and the revolution that is incorporated into this narrative, this work has sparked my curiosity and made me eager to conduct further research.

The length of the book is恰到好处. It not only leaves you craving more but also makes you continue to think about the characters long after it concludes.

I am now excitedly looking forward to reading "Waiting".

When a person you deeply love is suddenly stricken by a stroke or Alzheimer's/dementia, it can be perhaps the most excruciating thing to behold.

And when it is someone you hold in the highest regard who succumbs to such a fate, one is at a complete loss for how to react.

The novel "The Crazed" vividly imagines this very scenario through the relationship between a professor and his favorite student.

It is极其 difficult to read this book for long stretches without being overcome by tears.

I suspect that's precisely why Jin divided it into numerous small, fragmented chapters.

Adding to the intensity is the backdrop of the counter-revolution in 1989 China, which makes this already powerful book even more harrowing.

It is a work that is both deeply moving and incredibly depressing.

Despite its melancholy tone, it offers a profound exploration of love, loss, and the human condition in the face of tragedy.

For the fact that I had to review an online synopsis of what this book was about, it truly says it all. The book seems to be cold and boring from the get-go. The teaser in the beginning is so obvious that you can see it coming from a mile away. I initially grabbed it because the author is a celebrated Boston University professor and had received acclaim for his previous book. However, this current offering is definitely a thin read. It contains a Tiananmen Square flashback and a strained relationship, but these elements don't seem to be developed enough to hold the reader's interest. In conclusion, I would highly recommend skipping this book.

Some background information on the Chinese Cultural Revolution is essential for a better understanding of the story. The Chinese Cultural Revolution was a complex and tumultuous period in Chinese history that had a profound impact on society, politics, and culture. It was a time of great upheaval and change, with many people experiencing hardships and challenges.

This story also reminds me of some of the stories I heard from my family about communism in Cuba. Cuba has a unique history and political system, and communism has played an important role in shaping the country. My family's stories gave me a glimpse into the daily lives and experiences of people living under communism in Cuba.

By comparing and contrasting these two different historical periods and political systems, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and diverse nature of human history. We can also learn from the past and use this knowledge to build a better future.

When the world seems to be crumbling around you, life persists. At times, it just so happens that your own life is also disintegrating. Such is the case in The Crazed. Ha Jin's distinctively Chinese voice manages to capture the turmoil of China in the late 1980s - the bureaucracy, the students, and the entire situation falling apart.

Strangely enough, Ha Jin does not appear to have been in China during the late 1980s as he left the country in 1985 for the US. This indeed makes me wonder, is this an authentic portrayal of China, or the version that Western readers anticipate? I'm aware that I'm being cynical, but the book is undoubtedly still worthy of being read.

It's interesting to note that despite not being physically present in China during that specific period, Ha Jin has managed to create a vivid and engaging narrative. Perhaps his experiences before leaving and his deep understanding of Chinese culture and society have allowed him to bring this story to life.

The book offers a unique perspective on a significant time in China's history, and while there may be questions about its authenticity, it still provides valuable insights and food for thought.

Overall, The Crazed is a captivating read that explores the complex and often chaotic nature of life in a changing society.

When a college professor unfortunately suffers a stroke and is hospitalized, his student, who is also his future son-in-law, is summoned to assist in taking care of him.

In the restricted hospital room, the student discovers numerous truths about his teacher. Meanwhile, the student uprisings he hears about in the news are approaching their climax in Beijing.

Ha Jin's books have never been the kind that make me flip through the pages quickly. His writing style is slow and meticulous, yet I have always felt a sense of fulfillment in the end. As others have noted here, the first half of the book is slower-paced than the second, as the characters and relationships are being established. As the story progresses, things gradually gain momentum.

It is perhaps not the author's most powerful work, nor is it his most straightforward. Those seeking a book specifically about the events of 1989 will likely find greater satisfaction elsewhere. "The Crazed" takes a somewhat circuitous approach to the topic for most of its 300-odd pages, as the feeling that things are reaching a critical point filters through the student's concerns about his own life and future.

Overall, "The Crazed" offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of various themes, despite not being a traditional page-turner.

This was the third book I read from Ha Jin, and I continue to highly appreciate his writing style.

Every word in his stories appears to have been carefully weighed and measured to convey the intended meaning precisely.

There is no waste, and information is provided exactly when needed.

Even when the story seems to lack significant action, I can effortlessly continue reading his books, guided by his engaging words.

In this particular book, we have Jian Wan, who is preparing for the entrance examinations for a PhD position at Beijing University while simultaneously taking care of Professor Yang, the father of his fiancé.

Yang, a university professor, has suffered a stroke and is confined to a hospital bed, struggling to maintain his mental focus in the present time and place.

The Chinese Cultural Revolution serves as the backdrop of this story, including the events of the Tiananmen uprising.

Overall, Ha Jin's ability to create a vivid and engaging narrative, even within the context of a complex historical period, is truly remarkable.

This book was actually quite good.

Ha Jin vividly described the actions of the counterrevolution that took place in China.

The main character, Jian Wan, a graduate student, witnessed many changes when his professor in poetry and English, Mr. Yang, suffered a stroke. Jian had to not only take care of his teacher but also study for the entrance exams to become a scholar with his fiancee in Beijing.

When the student demonstration got out of control, the army sent by the government was compelled to stop the students from marching into Tiananmen Square. Jian initially didn't pay much attention to politics until Mr. Yang's death shook him and awakened his awareness of the world around him. He came to realize that the government was unable to assist and support others fairly, as they ended up treating the poor unjustly.

When Jian became involved in the turmoil, he joined the march into Tiananmen Square. However, at that very moment, the soldiers from the Twenty-Seventh Army were ordered to attack by the colonel, which led to the bloodshed of the protesting students. In the end, he was labeled a counterrevolutionary and had to flee the school and the city.

This story was truly touching as the lives of many students were lost. The bloody sight sickened me, and it is appalling that the government would do such a thing to its own citizens. Even foreign news reporters covered and broadcast the news worldwide.

The author's rich power of words and emotions convey a profound meaning through this book.

This is a simple read that initially makes you wonder what on earth it is about.

Each chapter seems to go off on different tangents, and you find yourself trying hard to grasp Jian's thoughts. However, you don't really follow completely, and yet, that very fact is intriguing.

As you progress through the book, you keep wondering and attempting to put the puzzle pieces together.

By the end, you're still left with a sense of mystery and a desire to understand more.

It's an interesting read that is definitely worthwhile if you're on the hunt for banned books.

The unique structure and the enigmatic nature of the story make it stand out and engage the reader's curiosity from start to finish.

Whether you're a fan of literature that challenges the norm or simply looking for something different to read, this book is worth checking out.

I have to award The Crazed ⅘ stars rather than a full 5. The reason being that it didn't truly gain momentum until approximately two-thirds of the way through. We are led on a path of interpersonal challenges, and for a while, it seemed to trudge along at a rather slow pace.

Then, out of nowhere, a flurry of activity occurred, and it transformed into an absolutely captivating page-turner. If you're willing to persevere, it's well worth it. Ha Jin's writing style is highly creative, and he presents some truly poignant moments, which I've listed below:

“I told you, I’m just a clerk, a screw in the machine of the revolution. You’re the same, neither worse nor better. We are of the same ilk and have the same fate, all having relapsed into savagery and cowardice. Now this screw is worn out and has to be replaced, so write me off as a loss.”

“Why not put a period to the endless sentence of suffering? Perhaps death was no more than a long sleep from which you didn’t need to wake up.”

“Actually some people might enjoy sadness and suffering, because their lives have been nourished only by miserable feelings. They can endure anything but happiness, which is alien to their systems.”

“I wanted to live actively and meaningfully”

‘“I’m only afraid that I’m not worthy of my suffering!” Indeed, some great men and women are strengthened and redeemed through their suffering, and they even seek sadness instead of happiness, just as van Gogh asserted, “Sorrow is better than joy,” and Balzac declared, “Suffering is one’s teacher.” But these dictums are only suitable for extraordinary souls, the select few. For ordinary people like us, too much suffering can only make us more spiteful, crazier, more petty, and more wretched.”

These quotes not only add depth to the story but also make the reader reflect on the nature of suffering, the human condition, and the pursuit of a meaningful life. The Crazed is a thought-provoking novel that, despite its slow start, ultimately leaves a lasting impression.

I will definitely be reading more of Ha Jin's work.

This is an enjoyable work that has truly opened my eyes to a subject that I had hitherto never thought much of. It delves into the fate and scholarship of Chinese professors under Communist rule.

Not only does it offer a unique perspective on this aspect of Chinese history, but as a bonus, this book also features a great explanation of the difference between Chinese poetry and most Western poetry.

The hint provided is quite interesting - the narrator isn't the center of the world. This difference in perspective adds another layer of depth to the understanding of Chinese poetry and its cultural significance.

Overall, this work by Ha Jin has been a fascinating read, and I look forward to exploring more of his literary contributions in the future.

This was claustrophobically bleak but incredibly well done. It was the end of the 1980s in China, and Jian, a graduate student, found himself in a difficult situation.

When his professor, whose daughter he was dating, had a stroke, Jian had to spend countless hours waiting by his teacher's bedside, listening to his delirious ramblings.

The professor had endured great suffering as an intellectual during the Cultural Revolution. Through listening to his ramblings, Jian attempted to piece together information about his teacher's personal life, both past and present.

His teacher's ravings had a profound impact on Jian, causing him to doubt his own plans for the future and long for an escape from his life.

The writing in the hospital scenes was so airless that it was unnerving. Even as the professor lost all sense of time and place, he seemed to be speaking the truth about his life and his desires. Jian was horrified and shaken by his teacher's confessions.

The author juxtaposed Jian's bedside vigil with the student protests in Beijing to explore how suffering, when expressed or responded to, can easily turn into a form of madness.

This exploration added depth and complexity to the story, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.