“Just loved the slow pace of the book. I think it succeeded in conveying the frustration of 'waiting' felt by both women and the protagonist keenly. Lin comes across as flakey and changeable in the end (and I felt the author wanted to portray him as ultimately a weak man, turned easily by a firm hand), Manna is driven to bitterness by the affects of her 'patience' to marry Lin, and ultimately Shuyu remains as the elegant face of patience - waiting for her husband to finally love her as an equal. It was interesting, and insightful as far as how the political climate of the time influenced even your private affairs of the heart. Personally I was elated and satisfied when Lin realised he actually 'had it good' with Shuyu...”
“I liked this book a lot. Very reflective of the social circumstances of its time. A very good picture of the bigger, political situation that was Communist China seeping through and ruining the personal lives of its citizens. Had a few problems with the final pages, with Lin's conscience talking to him. I mean, why not leave it to the reader to figure out the disillusionment and disappointment? It suddenly turns cheesy with the turn of perspectives. Anyway, it's still a good book. Not dragging, although not fast-paced either. Just for normal and peaceful reading. It is a love story in the first place, after all. ”
“I'm not sure about this book. It was an interesting story, but sometimes the "details of social ettiquette, of food, of rural family relationships" (LA Times Book Review) had me laughing out loud. I wasn't sure if the cooked donkey meat was supposed to be serious or a joke. And the social conventions, while probably true in Communist China, were being made fun of by the author ... ? Or maybe not.”
“This novel was supposed to be about being unfulfilled by waiting instead of living I guess. Like a lot of other reviewers, I felt like I was waiting for something to happen the entire novel. So maybe it succeeded in making me understand the frustrations of waiting :D”
“I kept "waiting" for something to happen.... just not my cup of tea.”
