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gobby_gilbert's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
readymadereader's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dee9401's review against another edition
5.0
I finished reading In the Pond, by Ha Jin, on Wednesday night. This was my introduction to his writing, although I’ve bought several of his books for Diane, including Waiting. She really loved that book. I fell in love with the simple prose and fantastic story of In the Pond. It’s part Sisyphus and part car crash. You watch the main character struggle against the system, manifested at increasingly higher hierarchical levels in himself, his family, his work unit, his factory, his town, his province, and his country, China. You see the external battle he’s fighting, but you also see how he sometimes is his own worst enemy. But, he’s struggling to be a true and full person, and the foibles he lands in may be, in part, self-generated, but they’re also realistic situations that we often find ourselves in on a daily basis. Definitely read this book!
freddie's review against another edition
3.0
A story about a person's struggle against individuals who bully with their powers. The narrative is presented as a comedy of some sort, which I think slightly diminishes the emotional stake in the story, but maybe I feel that way because I'm just in a dramatic mood right now. Shao Bin is an underdog character to root for, even when his character flaws (pride and tactlessness) are infuriating.
jenniferdenslow's review against another edition
4.0
Bin Shai, a worker at a Chinese fertilizer plant, is passed over when apartments are allocated and a classic struggle between an individual and the bureaucracy ensues.
While many reviews comment on the humor in this novel, few mention how the story affirms the power of art and writing to move people. Bin Shao's weapon of choice in his struggle against his bosses is literally a pen instead of a sword, since after hours he is a talented artist and calligrapher.
Ha Jin's writing is simple and straightforward, which complements this story of daily life in China.
While many reviews comment on the humor in this novel, few mention how the story affirms the power of art and writing to move people. Bin Shao's weapon of choice in his struggle against his bosses is literally a pen instead of a sword, since after hours he is a talented artist and calligrapher.
Ha Jin's writing is simple and straightforward, which complements this story of daily life in China.
abi_coupe's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
doughnuts1's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't finished a book in forever so it felt really great to finish this one!
In an easy summary, this book is like the hunger games in the way the underprivileged protagonist fights the government and kinda gets a bittersweet and somewhat unresolved ending.
I really enjoyed the metaphor of the phrase "A person is a big fish in a small pond" because I never really thought how it can be used to control people. Usually, when I hear that phrase I think of it as a positive aspect, like a person excelling in a certain situation, I never heard of it as being oppressive.
I really enjoy Ha Jin's books and I hope to read more of them soon!
In an easy summary, this book is like the hunger games in the way the underprivileged protagonist fights the government and kinda gets a bittersweet and somewhat unresolved ending.
I really enjoyed the metaphor of the phrase "A person is a big fish in a small pond" because I never really thought how it can be used to control people. Usually, when I hear that phrase I think of it as a positive aspect, like a person excelling in a certain situation, I never heard of it as being oppressive.
I really enjoy Ha Jin's books and I hope to read more of them soon!
tessaays's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read. The capriciousness of the Party and Bin’s circumstances kept me guessing until the very end. The writing style is easy to read but very elegant - reminds me of Hemingway.
macfiar's review against another edition
2.0
I generally love Ha Jin as a writer, and Waiting is one of my favorite books of all time, but I didn't love this book. It was well written but I didn't like the plot. I also didn't like the character of Shao Bin's wife. It was a disappointing read.
jessie_reads_here's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0