I was truly quite upset upon finishing this book.

The last few chapters had such a captivating hold on me that I finally began to deeply care about the main character, Jian. And then, abruptly, it was all over.

It seemed rather a pity that a significant portion of the book was slow-paced and not overly engaging. Jian came across as a bit of a wimp initially, until the events surrounding him kindled a fire within. I understand that some of the buildup was necessary, but perhaps it could have been condensed to a certain extent.

I have perused numerous historical novels set in China, yet never one as recent as this, during the events at Tiananmen Square. My comprehension of this era in China stems mainly from news reports in the US. Thus, it was fascinating to contemplate the perspective of a student during that time.

Overall, despite its flaws, the book offered a unique glimpse into a particular period and the experiences of its characters.

Ha Jin is an author whom I have only recently come across, and I am already in awe of his ability to present China to an English-speaking audience in the English language.

This specific book offers a great deal of food for thought regarding what constitutes a meaningful life outside of religious beliefs.

"The Crazed" further demonstrates the consequences of a self-interested ruling class within the communist system, where such self-interest is ostensibly not supposed to exist.

It's not that self-interest ever disappears in any form of government, but socialist and communist countries, in particular, are often structured in a way that the ruling class amasses wealth while the rest of the population endures hardships and has extremely limited, and often prohibited, opportunities to improve their situations.

I myself lived in China for four months and directly witnessed the overall lack of prosperity and opportunity.

It was a sobering experience that made me question many of the assumptions I had about the country.

Ha Jin's work provides a valuable perspective on these issues and helps to shed light on the complex reality of life in China.

I look forward to reading more of his books and learning from his insights.

Another outstanding narrative by Ha Jin showcases his remarkable proficiency in the English language and his complete understanding of contemporary Chinese life.

Once again, the specters and events of the Cultural Revolution serve as the backdrop, this time during the Tiananmen uprising. A professor experiences a stroke, and through his dementia, his young protégé untangles the truths that will shape his own life choices.

This work is more intricate than Ha Jin's earlier novels and stories, yet it remains equally enjoyable to read. The complex layers of the plot and the well-developed characters draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

Ha Jin's ability to blend historical context with personal drama is truly remarkable, making this a must-read for fans of his work and those interested in Chinese literature and history.

Professor Yang has unfortunately suffered a stroke, and as a result, his student and future son-in-law Jain has to keep watch over him in the hospital.

Surprisingly, there seems to be something amiss with the once-wise professor's brain. Is he perhaps finally revealing the truth to Jain? Or could he be going crazy? On the other hand, maybe he is now more sane than ever before.

While reading this novel, simultaneously watching a documentary on the rise of communism and the counter-revolution in China proved to be extremely enlightening and educational. Jain is faced with a difficult decision of what to believe and where he truly stands.

From a historical perspective, this book serves as a valuable resource, enabling its readers to gain a better understanding of this country and the specific time period.

Overall, this novel is highly interesting, although the ending is a bit disappointing. It would have been nice to have more resolution. Nevertheless, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to friends and anyone with an interest in China.

One of the finest books I have read recently is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

The narrative of this book juxtaposes very beautifully the ambitions of a student who is about to embark on an academic career and his teacher who is grappling and suffering with the very same. It presents a vivid and engaging picture of the different perspectives and experiences within the academic world.

Moreover, the book also delves deep into the internal conflict one faces when confronted with moral dilemmas. It shows how choices that are made with the best of intentions can sometimes go horribly wrong, leading to unforeseen consequences.

This exploration of the human psyche and the complexity of moral decision-making adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and well-written literature. It is sure to leave a lasting impression and spark meaningful discussions.

This was an amazing book, from start to finish.

The writing is lucid and illuminating, often begging for re-savoring. It's as if each word is carefully chosen to paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The plot is relatively straightforward, moving forward with only essential looks in the rear view mirror. This simplicity allows the reader to focus on the details and the development of the story.

The characters are memorable, finely sketched, and despite the cultural divide, relatively easy to relate to. We can easily imagine ourselves in their shoes, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

The story begins when a Chinese literature professor has a stroke, a somewhat unusual one. His future son-in-law and devoted student is called to the hospital to care for him. A whole life unfolds in that hospital room as the professor struggles with people and events from his past.

The student is initially overwhelmed but gradually begins to give credit to the old man's assertions and changes his life course. From the relatively "ordinary" daily actions in the hospital room, dormitory, and dining hall, the student's life is now turned upside down following the professor's death.

He goes to Beijing as the Tienanmen Square protest is reaching its violent climax. The glimpse of this brutal government action is told clearly, even calmly. The young man is shaken to his core and returns to his university town, becoming a fugitive as he is now wanted as a counterrevolutionary. He steps forward into an un-envisioned future, far from his academic goals.

There is so much to this book, but a strong undercurrent is the pervasive control of the government, which even complicates the (apparently universal) playing out of faculty politics. The interplay of characters and the unwinding narrative are as captivating as a mystery novel, but with the added advantage of beautiful prose such as: "All the personnel carriers and trucks began rolling, unstoppable like a crazed dragon." or "(The train) pulled out smoothly as if wafted away by dozens of hands waving along the platform." You don't get prose like that in mystery/spy books, and that is only a small sample of the delights contained in this treasure of a novel.

The title of Ha Jin’s third novel, “The Crazed,” could be transformed into a thought-provoking question.

Who exactly are the crazed? On one level, it seems that they encompass the entire Chinese system that treats the human species as a collection of puppets. In a country like China, every individual grapples with their decisions and choices. Here, the inner longing to pursue the full extent of one’s individualism can lead to being under state suspicion.

In “The Crazed,” Jin delves deep into the plight of the Chinese people up until the time of Tiananmen Square. He vividly portrays how one’s subconscious longings remain hidden beneath the pain of detection. They stay unspoken and dormant because of the fear of being censured by the government, which has a single-minded intention to direct the fate of every citizen's mind.

Jin masterfully brings all the forces of China’s history into sharp focus. He reveals the contemporary predicament that Chinese citizens face under a repressive government. With his shrewd ability, he takes the struggles of the people in his home country and makes their suffering palpable on a universal scale.

I originally had a strong desire to read Ha Jin's "Waiting", which had won the National Book Award. However, it seems that this book is not yet available in audio format. As a result, I ended up with this one instead.

To be honest, it is quite interesting as an example that showcases Chinese culture. Nevertheless, it failed to make a profound impression on me. The theme of the book is developed in a rather tedious manner, relying on the rantings of an old and dissatisfied scholar.

On the positive side, it does have a clear theme, which is definitely a good thing. Additionally, the main character is both likeable and realistic, which adds some authenticity to the story.

Overall, it is a rather artless rendering of the story. Despite this, my longing to read "Waiting" still persists. I truly hope that I can get my hands on it soon and experience the literary charm that it is said to possess.

Having read Ha Jin's "Waiting", I was extremely eager to read this novel. Ha Jin is renowned for his vivid depictions of contemporary Chinese society.

The story centers around Jian, a university student. One of his beloved professors suffers a stroke and is hospitalized. Jian makes a commitment to take care of this man every afternoon. Additionally, Jian is engaged to the professor's daughter, which intensifies his sense of obligation to spend time with him. During the professor's hospitalization, he rants and raves ceaselessly about his colleagues, his family, the university, and politics, revealing intimate and unexpected details that Jian has never heard before. Jian is left in a state of uncertainty, wondering if these radical outbursts are a result of his illness or if he is indeed speaking the truth.

There is a significant amount of poetry cited throughout the narrative. However, not being a particular enthusiast or having a profound understanding of poetry, I found these sections to be rather uninteresting. The difficult situation that Jian is placed in, having to look after his future father-in-law and sacrifice his studies for the entrance exams, evokes a sense of desperation within me. Overall, the story had a somewhat dragging effect on me. This was also a time when the events at Tiananmen Square were casting a shadow of horror, and the writing effectively reflects this situation.

Ok. First of all, it is of utmost importance that you do NOT read this book's description on Goodreads. Why? Because it completely ruins the entire experience of reading the book! Additionally, do not pay any heed to the reviews of these fools who are whining about this book, saying things like "it's boring" and "the end mystifies me" and so on. It truly leaves me incredulous as to how anyone could be "mystified" by the end of this book or claim to have "no idea what Ha Jin was trying to say".

I'll admit that I also initially thought it was monotonous. For the first 100 pages, I was only mildly interested. However, after that, I was completely consumed by it. The writing style is simple, spare, and fluid, and at times, it is powerfully dreamlike. The shock of violence, suffering, and the reality of a soul's deep anguish at his deathbed really hit me hard after the kind of slow day-to-day-ness of the rest of the book. In this way, "The Crazed" reminds me of "The Last Gentleman", one of my favorite books. At other moments, Rilke's "The Notebooks of Malte Laurel Briggs" came to mind, as well as Camus' "The Stranger".

I am really glad that I stuck with this book and finished it. I felt so much affection for the main character. He had some unattractive qualities, but it was so honest, and I really felt for him. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you.

At the beginning, I found it a bit too raw and horrifying, with gingivitis, body odor, and other interesting things. But as I went on, I really appreciated the melancholy and reflective vein that runs through the entire novel. In fact, not much happens, and I usually don't like books that focus too much on the development of the self. But here, I found that the inner turmoil and reflections were well balanced with the story, also thanks to a first-person narration that I strangely liked. Moreover, the novel helped me get out of my comfort zone and the Western point of view. Finally, I explored a new way of thinking and organizing life.

Surely a good resolution for 2019 will be to read more Eastern (and African) authors.

This book has opened my eyes to different cultures and perspectives, and I look forward to delving deeper into the works of other non-Western authors. It's important to broaden our literary horizons and experience the richness and diversity of different voices and stories.

By reading more widely, we can gain a better understanding of the world around us and become more empathetic and open-minded individuals. So, let's make 2019 a year of exploration and discovery through literature.

About three-quarters of the way through this book, I was on the verge of awarding it 4 stars. However, the final 60 - 70 pages are simply so captivating and electrifying that I couldn't help but go all out and give it a full 5 stars.

That being said, Ha Jin has masterfully intertwined real-world events with fictional characters to craft a heart-wrenching narrative about despair, hope, and ultimately, despair once again. The story is rich in texture, and the characters are well-developed. Jin's heroes and villains seem to leap off the page in 1989 China, with the attempted revolution serving as both the foreground and background. It creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere that draws the reader in.

If you were a fan of "Waiting", then you will surely not be disappointed in "The Crazed". It showcases Ha Jin's talent for storytelling and his ability to explore complex themes and emotions through his characters and their experiences. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history, literature, or simply a good, thought-provoking story.