Literary Fiction· China
Waiting
by Ha JinAggregate Editorial Score67/100
★National Book Award
Published 1999308 pagesEnglish
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Waiting by Ha Jin is a landmark work of literary fiction, first published in 1999. A Chinese army doctor waits eighteen years to divorce his peasant wife and marry the nurse he loves, entangled by custom, law, and his own indecision. Ha Jin's National Book Award winner is a spare, quietly devastating portrait of life under Communist bureaucracy and the cost of waiting. Themes of China, Communism, love run through the work. The book has received recognition from National Book Award 1999.
Book Details
About the Category
📖 Literary Fiction
Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.
Explore all Literary Fiction books →Country of Origin
🇨🇳 China
This book is part of China's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from China →Editorial Assessment
Waiting demonstrates masterful command of language and form. Ha Jin's 1999 novel dissects the interior life with an authority that has earned it a permanent place among the form's greatest achievements. It demands and rewards serious engagement.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
National Book Award
winner · national
199958
Ha Jin is a celebrated author from China known for influential works of literary fiction.
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