Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Waiting

Waiting
Waiting
Author: Ha Jin
"Waiting" is the story of Lin Kong, a man living in two worlds, struggling with the conflicting claims of two utterly different women as he moves through the political minefields of a society designed to regulate his every move and stifle the promptings of his innermost heart. — For more than seventeen years, the ambitious doctor has be...  more »
Info icon
The Market's bargain prices are even better for Paperbackswap club members!
Retail Price: $16.00
Buy New (Paperback): $12.79 (save 20%) or
Become a PBS member and pay $8.89+1 PBS book credit Help icon(save 44%)
ISBN-13: 9780375706417
ISBN-10: 0375706410
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 166

3.5 stars, based on 166 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
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.
Read All 33 Book Reviews of "Waiting"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

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

Book Wiki

Awards and Honors

Genres: