Waiting

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Every summer, Lin Kong returns to Goose Village to divorce his wife, Shuyu, an arrangement that embarrasses him due to her country ways and bound feet. As a Chinese army doctor, Lin is content with his military life until he falls in love with Manna, a nurse at his hospital. However, regulations prevent him from divorcing Shuyu without her consent until 18 years have passed, leading to a cycle of requests for freedom that go unanswered. This creates a poignant tension as Lin and Manna's love is thwarted by obstacles. The novel explores what might happen to a romance like Romeo and Juliet's if stretched over decades, revealing Lin's growing frustration and the realization that he "waited eighteen years just for the sake of waiting." While there is a political allegory woven throughout, it emerges naturally from the characters' experiences rather than being overtly ideological. Lin and Manna's tender moments occur amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, illustrating the contrast between personal and political struggles. Ha Jin's remarkable prose captures the urgency of an unconsummated love affair and the domestic dilemmas that resonate with historical events. The novel stands as a testament to the power of realist storytelling in contemporary literature.