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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I appreciated how this book brought Chinese culture back to me, but I was disappointed by the ending.
i had trouble with this book, but am not sure if it's about the book itself, or my lack of familiarity with chinese literature. the narrative and the characters were much more like a fable or an allegory than the novels i'm used to reading, so i felt like i had trouble connecting to the people or the story. i also had a hard time telling if the events and behaviors were typical of china, or exaggerated for effect. so it was interesting, but i'm not sure how much i got out of it.
Reminds me a bit of a 1984/Bukowski mix, where work sucks and whatever the truth is gets twisted to make you in the wrong. It’s also simply humorous, and lacks the scope of 1984 or the existential world weariness of Bukowski.
At first I didn’t like the ending, but upon reflection I think it’s very good- (spoiler)- the housing issue never gets resolved, Shao Bin simply seems to forget or doesn’t care, and when his wife brings it up he’s rather dismissive of the issue. His job is better now, he’ll get the housing eventually. And that.. feels a bit unresolved, but I also think it speaks to how we get caught up in our own desires and egos, we lose sight of the goal and just want to win. It was never really about the housing for Bin, at a certain point, whereas it remains the central concern for his wife. What was it all for if they don’t get the housing they feel they deserve? Well, Bin doesn’t get treated like shit anymore- he’s been redirected, his opponents get him out of their hair a bit and into a better position for the country, everyone wins. Except the wife and kid, who still don’t have what the wife considers to be a basic necessity. If that’s Jin’s point, it’s incredibly deep- it presents a happy ending, but only because we see things through Bin’s eyes.
Anyways, 4 stars because it isn’t particularly brilliantly written, it’s short and rather light-hearted, and maybe I’m reading too much into the ending. Either way, it’s not world-changing stuff, the insights don’t jump off the page in any way, but it’s also an enjoyable read throughout.
At first I didn’t like the ending, but upon reflection I think it’s very good- (spoiler)- the housing issue never gets resolved, Shao Bin simply seems to forget or doesn’t care, and when his wife brings it up he’s rather dismissive of the issue. His job is better now, he’ll get the housing eventually. And that.. feels a bit unresolved, but I also think it speaks to how we get caught up in our own desires and egos, we lose sight of the goal and just want to win. It was never really about the housing for Bin, at a certain point, whereas it remains the central concern for his wife. What was it all for if they don’t get the housing they feel they deserve? Well, Bin doesn’t get treated like shit anymore- he’s been redirected, his opponents get him out of their hair a bit and into a better position for the country, everyone wins. Except the wife and kid, who still don’t have what the wife considers to be a basic necessity. If that’s Jin’s point, it’s incredibly deep- it presents a happy ending, but only because we see things through Bin’s eyes.
Anyways, 4 stars because it isn’t particularly brilliantly written, it’s short and rather light-hearted, and maybe I’m reading too much into the ending. Either way, it’s not world-changing stuff, the insights don’t jump off the page in any way, but it’s also an enjoyable read throughout.
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ha Jin's first novel sets the tone for his later, greater works of fiction about flawed people living in post-Cultural Revolution China. In the Pond is well written, but a little repetitive and predictable. I wouldn't mind if this were my first novel, but he's written better since.
A short novel which doesn't really distinguish itself from similar books.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Funny book thanks to the quirky characters. But hate hate HATE the ending…
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated