Download book Waiting pdf

Download Waiting book PDF Free by Ha Jin

Ha Jin's acclaimed novel, 'Waiting,' immerses readers in the poignant, decades-long dilemma of Lin Kong, an army doctor in communist China, caught between tradition and a forbidden love. This powerful story explores the crushing weight of societal expectations and bureaucratic inertia on individual lives and relationships, revealing how a prolonged wait can irrevocably alter desires and destinies. It's a profound exploration of patience, loyalty, and the elusive nature of happiness in a restrictive society, making 'Waiting' a truly unforgettable literary experience.

About the Author Ha Jin

Ha Jin, born Jin Xuefei in Liaoning, China, is a distinguished Chinese-American author renowned for his compelling fiction, poetry, and essays written in English. After serving in the People's Liberation Army and pursuing higher education in China, Jin immigrated to the United States in 1985. His experiences growing up during the Cultural Revolution and his eventual emigration deeply influence his works, which often portray the complexities of Chinese life and the human spirit under restrictive regimes.

Jin's masterful storytelling has earned him numerous accolades, including the National Book Award and two PEN/Faulkner Awards for Fiction, solidifying his place as a significant voice in contemporary literature. His decision to write in English about Chinese subjects after the Tiananmen Square massacre underscores his commitment to artistic freedom and his unique perspective on his homeland.

Waiting Summary PDF

'Waiting' tells the compelling story of Lin Kong, an army doctor stationed in Muji City, who embarks on an 18-year odyssey to divorce his traditional, unloved wife, Shuyu, from his rural Goose Village, so he can marry Manna Wu, a modern nurse with whom he has fallen in love. Each summer, Lin returns to his village to seek a divorce, only to be thwarted by Shuyu's last-minute changes of heart or the stubborn resistance of local authorities, who prioritize stability and tradition over individual desire. The novel spans from 1963 to 1985, illustrating how the protracted wait and the bureaucratic constraints of communist China profoundly affect Lin, Shuyu, and Manna.

Lin and Manna's love remains largely platonic for years due to the strict social and military rules forbidding extramarital affairs, which could career-ending. As the years turn into decades, the nature of their relationship, and even their understanding of love, subtly shifts under the immense pressure of their unresolved situation. When the divorce finally occurs after eighteen years, Lin marries Manna, but the long-anticipated union doesn't bring the idyllic happiness they imagined. Instead, the years of waiting have taken a toll, leaving them to grapple with the emotional fallout, faded passion, and the realization that perhaps the waiting itself became more defining than the outcome. The book serves as a poignant exploration of the cost of hesitation and the profound impact of external forces on personal lives in a changing Chinese society.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ha Jin's Waiting

1. What is the central theme of 'Waiting' by Ha Jin?

   The central theme of 'Waiting' by Ha Jin revolves around the profound impact of patience, societal constraints, and bureaucratic control on individual lives and relationships. It explores how prolonged anticipation and external pressures can alter personal desires, loyalty, and the very definition of love and happiness within a restrictive cultural and political landscape.

2. Who are the main characters in Ha Jin's 'Waiting'?

   The main characters in 'Waiting' are Lin Kong, an army doctor who is the protagonist, and the two women he is torn between: Shuyu, his traditional wife from his village, and Manna Wu, a modern nurse at the hospital where he works. Their interconnected fates drive the narrative forward over two decades.

3. Where is 'Waiting' by Ha Jin set?

   'Waiting' is set in Northeast China, specifically between the fictional Muji City, where Lin Kong works, and Goose Village, his rural hometown where his wife Shuyu resides. The story spans from 1963 to 1985, against the backdrop of a changing Chinese society and the Cultural Revolution.

4. Is 'Waiting' by Ha Jin based on a true story?

   Yes, 'Waiting' is based on a true story that Ha Jin heard from his wife while they were visiting her family at an army hospital in China. The story was about an army doctor who had waited eighteen years to get a divorce so he could marry his long-time friend, a nurse.

5. What awards did 'Waiting' by Ha Jin win?

   'Waiting' by Ha Jin received significant critical acclaim and won several prestigious awards, including the National Book Award for Fiction in 1999 and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. It was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.