Waiting : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: charming prose and texture outshine plot or character
Review: Ha Jin does some things splendidly: his prose style is supple and evocative for all of its simplicity , especially his descriptions of nature, and he conveys a wonderful sense of the living conditions under which his characters labor and love (or try to). For the first third of the book, I was remarkably engaged. But I don't think Jin has quite escaped the trap of how to wrtie about waiting without becoming a little dull--sort of like trying to write about boredom without becoming boring. These characters never quite came to life for me, and the author's own unkindly dissection of his protagonist's shortcomings near the end undermine the book's ongoing critique of Communist China--yes, Communism bad, especially in the quasi-rabid forms it has taken in China, controlling almost every aspect of these charaters' lives (good thing capitalism doesn't do that)--but could this character have been happy in any society? Another pitfall is that Jin seems to set us up for some sort of slam-bang ending after all the waiting--yet the final 50 pages or so are surprisingly muted. I may have unconsciously docked the book one star for what seems to me the beginning writer's ploy of having characters ask themselves questions in sets of threes--obvious questions at that, and a bit too frequently. After my initial engagement, I was frankly a little disapointed, especially after following up "Waiting" with J.M. Coetzee's "Disgrace" which covers some of the same themes in a starker yet richer tone.

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK
Review: This was a very good book, one that kept you wondering what was coming next. A great read! If you want to another read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Rating:
Summary: AN OK BOOK!
Review: I think the rating on this book was a bit over done, but I still read it and enjoyed it a little. I didn't think the writing came up to some of the earlier stories. If you want to another read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Rating:
Summary: what's all the hype about on this one?
Review: I found this book -- written at the sixth grade level, according to my analysis -- to be highly overrated by the critics. I can't believe that this simplistic, boring novel received the prizes that it has. Reminds me of "Snow falling on cedars" and "Shipping news," neither of which impressed me at all.

Rating:
Summary: Pisswater
Review: The title says it all: Waiting for what....

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful prose
Review: Waiting is a straightforward, gorgeous book, written in elegant, charming prose. It makes you think about the difficulties of sustaining relationships and the abusudity of human institutions. What could be better than that?

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD BOOK
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, and would suggest it to others looking for a good romantic novel . . .If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book, honest and touching
Review: Ha Jin has done it again! "Waiting" is absolutely wonderful. Ha Jin has a way of bring a character to life, and give even the most minor player in the story flesh and blood. The honesty in his work really touched me. Buy the book, you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliantly elegant
Review: Reading this book one is reminded of the old Hemingway saw about how fiction should only give away the tip of the iceberg. The graceful, simple prose of this book reveals just the smallest portion of the complex emotional and politcal currents that run beneath this story. This is the kind of book that, once you have finished, you cannot get out of your head. The book jacket calls Ha Jin a "sturdy realist," but that's not really right; his prose has much more in common with a modernist minimalism. A must read for anyone who thinks that fiction writing in America is moribund.

Rating:
Summary: Fascintating
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book - as much for what it reveals of China as for the plot. The three people at the center of this novel --husband, wife and the 'girlfriend' (not mistress, that step is too dangerous for them to risk) who waits 18 years for him to get a divorce-- are in a state of limbo for much of their adult lives, constricted as they are by the laws of their society and by the limitations of their experience. This is a fast, easy book to read, but I don't mean this to sound negative, much is going on beneath the surface of an apparently straightforward story, and it left me contemplating how much we all take for granted about the laws of our society, how rarely we question the conventions we're brought up with. Well worth reading.