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A review by 2k1sofia
Waiting by Ha Jin
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
5.0
a page turner, finished within two days — tragic, to say the least. the bounds of time, circumstance, and being human display themselves so painfully, so honestly. insightful. political. understanding, but not complacent. a thoroughly enrapturing read. ha jin's writing is quick, meaningful.
the characters are complex in their simplicity — i feel each character was fleshed out, defined by their surroundings, beyond the invidual. reminded me of how small a world i live in, so many factors out of my control — yet we all continue to live, somehow. we make it work — the stories of resentment and resilience melt together.
i read reviews saying it's a "world to disappear into" (a bit orientalist?), but the more you "fall" into ha jin's world the more you fall into your own. the type of story to make you question not just the characters' decisions, but your own, too — what rules do i follow? what power do i have? what don't i have, and what do i want? what can i do, and what can't — and who said so?
the ending...... my god. striking. torturous. i don't love the main character, but love is a complicated thing as he learns for himself. would recommend for someone looking to feel anxious.
the characters are complex in their simplicity — i feel each character was fleshed out, defined by their surroundings, beyond the invidual. reminded me of how small a world i live in, so many factors out of my control — yet we all continue to live, somehow. we make it work — the stories of resentment and resilience melt together.
i read reviews saying it's a "world to disappear into" (a bit orientalist?), but the more you "fall" into ha jin's world the more you fall into your own. the type of story to make you question not just the characters' decisions, but your own, too — what rules do i follow? what power do i have? what don't i have, and what do i want? what can i do, and what can't — and who said so?
the ending...... my god. striking. torturous. i don't love the main character, but love is a complicated thing as he learns for himself. would recommend for someone looking to feel anxious.