Waiting by Ha Jin
"Waiting" is a story set in China during the Cultural Revolution and its aftermath, revolving around the life of Lin Kong, a military doctor who is torn between his love for two women. He is stuck in an arranged marriage with his traditional wife in the countryside, while he falls in love with a modern, city nurse. The novel explores his 18-year struggle to divorce his wife and marry his lover, depicting the clash between traditional and modern Chinese culture, personal desires, and societal expectations.
The 2207th greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 175
This book was first published in 1999
6 Lists
- score: 108 -- 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers - 2024 (Weight: 170)
- score: 58 -- Top 100 World Literature Titles - 2017 (Weight: 120)
- score: 5 -- National Book Award - Fiction - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 27)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction - Yearly Book Award (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Best Books in the World - 2021 (Weight: 1)