It’s the first Ha Jin book I’ve picked up and really enjoyed it. The narrative was straightforward and engaging – written in the time and context of 1980s Beijing up until the Tian an’men incident. I could very much picture the vivid description of Beijing, its streets, it’s surroundings and wide wide lanes.
A narrative told through a well-respected professor turned ill and derange and future son-in-law that dives into the era of communism, patriotist, peppered with saucy bits and the complexities and pragmatism of relationships in those days.
The Crazed is a wonderful portrayal of modern Chinese society at the cusp of major changes and was really enjoyable.