I know you are probably getting bored of my book reviews. But I have been reading a lot and am really in no mood to be verbose about anything else. So here is my next review.

Another NPR recommendation made it into my reading list. This one had quite a cover – red with a braid. I reminded me of India and not China unfortunately. I do not know many Chinese women with braided hair. Maybe it is a thing of the past just like braided hair among Indian women is becoming a thing of the past. I have not braided my hair other than for dance performances in the past 5+ yrs. The last time I intentionally grew my hair and tried braiding was for my marriage (and it was really not what I wanted but did it)

The book unfortunately ended in the prologue. It knew what the book was all about right in the first 5 pages. An army doctor in an arranged marriage with a woman he does not love and he has an 18 year long comradeship with another woman whom he plans to marry – as soon as he divorces his wife. That is it the story. Simple.

The story is set in China and brings to life the culture and the lives of the Chinese during their move towards Communism. The army, the hospital, the villages – everything vivid, colorful and it is almost as if you can see it right before your eyes. Ha Jin writes really well. Simple words strung together to create reality. But beyond that I felt the book had nothing to offer. The writing was amazing – I just wish it had a story or had more depth to it. I can understand the situation of Lin Kong – the doctor, Manna – the nurse and girlfriend and Shuyu – the wife. It is simple love triangle from the Indian movies set in China with awesome dialogues, great picturization and a touch of realism. Enough to make it a hit but it just does not bring out any stronger emotions in me.

Pick it up if you want a peek into China of the 60’s.