Waiting A Novel
Waiting A Novel by Ha Jin is published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and was released on September 19, 2000. This 320-page novel explores the life of Lin Kong, a doctor in the Chinese Army, who navigates the complexities of love and duty. Caught between his loveless arranged marriage to Shuyu and his affection for the modern nurse Manna Wu, Lin grapples with the demands of human longing against the backdrop of cultural expectations.
Readers will find a rich narrative that delves into themes of love, loyalty, and societal constraints. As Lin returns to his village each summer to confront his past, he faces the weight of tradition and the consequences of his choices. The novel presents a nuanced portrayal of the struggles between personal desires and societal norms, reflecting the historical context of Asian American experiences. Through Lin’s journey, Ha Jin offers insights into the human condition, making this edition a thought-provoking read.
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Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award • National Book Award Winner • Pulitzer Prize Finalist • A New York Times Notable Book
From the widely acclaimed author—a rich and atmospheric novel about a man living in two worlds, struggling with the conflicting claims of two utterly different women.
The demands of human longing contend with the weight of centuries of custom in acclaimed author Ha Jin’s Waiting, a novel of unexpected richness and universal resonance. Every summer Lin Kong, a doctor in the Chinese Army, returns to his village to end his loveless arranged marriage with the humble and touchingly loyal Shuyu. But each time Lin must return to the city to tell Manna Wu, the educated, modern nurse he loves, that they will have to postpone their engagement once again. Caught between the conflicting claims of these two utterly different women and trapped by a culture in which adultery can ruin lives and careers, Lin has been waiting for eighteen years. This year, he promises will be different.
“Ha Jin profoundly understands the conflict between the individual and society, between the timeless universality of the human heart and constantly shifting politics of the moment. With wisdom, restraint, and empathy for all his characters, he vividly reveals the complexities and subtleties of a world and a people we desperately need to know.”—Judges’ Citation, National Book Award
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