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Title: The only thing worse than getting your heart 's desire
Review: Against the background of tradition and political control, Lin Kong's story quietly unfolds. He is a soft-spoken, agreeable soul - a doctor in the Chinese Army. His wife, the humble, loyal Shuyu, and his daughter Hua live in a rural village. Lin is allowed to visit them once a year. He believes he will be happy if he can secure a divorce and marry Manna, a nurse at his hospital. After waiting eighteen years, Lin gets his divorce, marries Manna and fathers twins. Despite his abundant good fortune, Lin again begins to wait.Ha Jin is a master at developing his characters and settings. "Waiting" gives the reader a peek into Chinese society. We experience the events of daily living: food, clothing, daily activities all told in wonderful detail.
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