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Waiting
Waiting
Author: Ha Jin
"In Waiting, Ha Jin portrays the life of Lin Kong, a dedicated doctor torn by his love for two women: one who belongs to the New China of the Cultural Revolution, the other to the ancient traditions of his family's village. Ha Jin profoundly understands the conflict between the individual and society, between the timeless universality of ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780099287599
ISBN-10: 0099287595
Publication Date: 10/5/2000
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 11

3.8 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Vintage Uk
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Waiting on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
Marvelous book. "Waiting" reminded me of a Chinese version of Wharton's "Ethan Frome." "Waiting" is told from three points of view, but never confusingly. The characters and their respective plights are engrossing, patient, kind, and full of little foibles to remind us that they are human characters, not simply dusty one-sided protagonists. With Communist rule in the background and human frailties in the front, "Waiting" is a beautiful read, and one that is well worth it.
reviewed Waiting on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This book has broad appeal because it uses the constraints of the Chinese culture and circumstances, that could easily be translated to any other culture, even the Western culture. The main character is torn between love and obligation. This book follows the impact of his struggle with being honorable or following his desire over a period of years.
WestofMars avatar reviewed Waiting on + 162 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I loved this book. It has a wonderful stillness to it that matches Lin's patience. Just a beautiful book.
reviewed Waiting on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I loved this...even though the pace is slow...it is full of subtle details.
reviewed Waiting on + 70 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
The term "waiting" is extremely descriptive for this book. The main characters are waiting for the male to obtain a divorce so they can marry. As a reader this action or lack-of action seems to take a long time, exactly what the author plans. In the end the "moral-to -the-story" is very clear, and worth waiting for. Well written, interesting human life-events occur. Winner of the National Book Award.Well deserved.
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reviewed Waiting on + 34 more book reviews
Wonderful love story in a setting in China. Facinating. Very interesting to learn about another culture in an interesting fashion.
reviewed Waiting on + 41 more book reviews
A book read for the pleasure of the writing as much as for the story. A Natiional Book Award Winner. Best to quote from The New York Times Magazine, "Waiting has the stripped down simplicity of a fable....It casts a spell that doesn't break once....Jin has the kind of effortless command that most writiers can only dream about." This is a story about a man caught betten two women and to cultures, that of ancient and modern China.
reviewed Waiting on + 16 more book reviews
It is definitely deserving of it's 2000 Pen/Faulkner award.
reviewed Waiting on + 188 more book reviews
Inside ISBN 0-375-40653-0 Back cover ISBN 0-95-026237

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