Waiting : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Like a Fine Reisling Wine
Review: The language in this novel is simple but very expressive. People with many different levels of reading ability will enjoy it. Charcteristic of some of our greatest writers reading and understanding Ha Jin's work is effortless. Not the least pretentious in his writing Ha Jin who was born and raised in China amazes. His command of the English language which he learned as an adult is marvelous. Unlike Conrad who chose to write in English, his second language, he avoids long complicated sentences and wording that drives the reader to the unabridged dictionary. This lovely tale describes life and social mores in China on the cusp of its change to a capitalist society. The protagonist, Lin, is a passionless man who never feels great love for any woman or anyone.He comports with all the requirements of a good highly educated communist,but he never rises to the level of success a man with his native intellect should. He lacks leadership skills on some levels. He is uncomfortable taking risks and therefore never does. He is considerate with his subordinates, but he lacks originality and passion. We are offered a glimpse at the changes in China's society. Where it was once evil to make a profit, be creative and individual, those traits are now being rewarded. Lin cannot adjust to these changes. He is rigid in many ways. This story revolves around Lin's relationship with his country wife Shuyu and his city girlfiend Manna. He is embarrased that shuyu has bound feet. However, he finds Manna's more worldly demands annoying. He seems to want a mate who is worldy like Manna and submissive and undemanding like Shuyu. He does not even feel a fervant passion for his daughter,Hua, which is almost unnatural. However, he cares enough for her that he moves her to the city as soon as possible so she does not live the hard life of a farmer in a country village. He also does not understand why in modern China families value boys so much more than girls. He even prefers that his only child is a girl. I wondered that,perhaps, he was a closet homosexual closeted even from himself. Homosexuality is probably not accepted among the Chinese. However, he didn't have passion for men either. He was a doctor with a university medical degree, one of only three in his regional hospital. He has empathy for the suffering of others except for those closest to him. When Manna has a terrible time giving birth to their twins, he runs out of the room. The screaming is more annoying and embarassing to him than upsetting. He is simply an unfeeling man in many ways. Our glimpse at China offers the frightening details that one becomes an obstetrician after attending a year and a half of trade school. In the U.S. a midwife has a great deal more schooling. Additionally, he performs surgery by directing a team of surgeons who don't have medical degrees. He as well as many adult workers at the hospital share rooms with two or more people. Only married couples have private quarters. China now realizes that capitalism is the road to a higher standard of living for everyone. While the communist revolution was neccesary to equalize educational opportunities, reduce famine, and provide a semblance of the neccessities like food, housing, and medical care to the majority, it has outlived its usefulness. China is now a socialist country trying to improve everyon'e standard of living. Increasingly it more closely resembles a capitalist country. In Waiting we see one individual's turmoil as the rules change like shifting sands under his feet. It is particularly troubling to him, because he has no strong family bonds and can't confide in anyone about his personal difficulties with the change. After reading Waiting, I intend to read all Ha Jin's novels including his newest "War Trash". Waiting is a quick read. It is a good vacation or beach book with a serious subject that can be finished in three hours. If you like Pearl S. Buck, you will like Ha Jin's novels too.