Author Ha Jin's celebrated works have claimed several top literary awards, including three Pushcart Prizes. In Nanjing Requiem, the Japanese are poised to invade Nanjing. The dean of Jinling Women's College, Minnie Vautrin mistakenly believes her American citizenship will protect the school. But Vautrin's life becomes a daily struggle as the school becomes a refugee camp-and the slaughter of refugees begins. "Jin paints a convincing, harrowing portrait of heroism in the face of brutality."-Publishers Weekly
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"Grim tale of life in china during the Japanese invasion. Small wonder the Chinese hate the Japanese. Craftily written such that one is focused on the main character rather than the narrator until the last page. Then wham. I think it's his best work." — Steve (5 out of 5 stars)
"Grim tale of life in china during the Japanese invasion. Small wonder the Chinese hate the Japanese. Craftily written such that one is focused on the main character rather than the narrator until the last page. Then wham. I think it's his best work."
Jin paints a convincing, harrowing portrait of heroism in the face of brutality.
" My favorite kind of novel, a historical fiction with characters who actually lived the events described. "
" This is pretty good if you need pseudo-fiction dialog. But you're better off reading Iris Chang's Rape of Nanking if you can handle to semi-academic dryness. "
" did not like author's style of writing. seemed amatuerish and not engaging. "
" Fascinating account of genocide in China by Japan (in fiction genre). The Rape of Nanking is more powerful. "
" The emotional center just seemed off in this book. Can't quite put my finger on why but it lacked the emotional resonance of his other novels. "
" I liked this much more than I thought I would, particularly given other reviews. Also, I didn't like Waiting and Crazed that much. I found this story very engrossing once you get over the stilted style issues. "
" Historical fiction. First person narrative of Aling was less appealing...would have preferred third person narrative. Minnie Vautrin's trials were tragic and well portrayed. Needed more character development. "
" Flat characters, convenient wind up at end. "
" The invasion of Nanjing in devastating detail. Historical fiction . . . yet really difficult to read knowing it is based on fact. "
" Not as interesting as I thought it would be. I have to read the non-fiction Rape of Nanking now. I thought this one was non-fiction, but it was "based on" actual events. "
" Just couldn't get into it, but it may have been my state of mind at the time. If this book seems interesting to you, don't go by my rating. "
Ha Jin left his native China in 1985 to attend Brandeis University. He is the author of eight novels, four story collections, a book of essays, and six books of poetry. He received the National Book Award, two PEN/Faulkner Awards, the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Asian American Literary Award, and the Flannery O’Connor Award, among others. His novel War Trash was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. In 2014 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is director of the creative writing program at Boston University.
Angela Lin, an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA degree in drama. A critically acclaimed actress, her credits include The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, and As the World Turns, among others.
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