Satire meets defiance in provincial China.
If you appreciate narratives that blend humor with a sharp critique of societal structures, "In the Pond" could captivate you. Ha Jin's skill in portraying an underdog's rebellion against bureaucratic oppression not only gives you a sense of solidarity with the protagonist, Shao Bin, but also offers an illuminating glimpse into the complexities of life in a small Chinese town. The book's combination of wit and weight makes it a poignant and engaging read.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
Description
National Book Award-winner Ha Jin's arresting debut novel, In the Pond, is a darkly funny portrait of an amateur calligrapher who wields his delicate artist's brush as a weapon against the powerful party bureaucrats who rule his provincial Chinese town. Shao Bin is a downtrodden worker at the Harvest Fertilizer Plant by day and an aspiring artist by night. Passed over on the list to receive a decent apartment for his young family, while those in favor with the party's leaders are selected ahead of him, Shao Bin chafes at his powerlessness. When he attempts to expose his corrupt superiors by circulating satirical cartoons, he provokes an escalating series of merciless counterattacks that send ripples beyond his small community. Artfully crafted and suffused with earthy wit, In the Pond is a moving tale about humble lives caught up in larger social forces.
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This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!
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*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.
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Satire meets defiance in provincial China.
If you appreciate narratives that blend humor with a sharp critique of societal structures, "In the Pond" could captivate you. Ha Jin's skill in portraying an underdog's rebellion against bureaucratic oppression not only gives you a sense of solidarity with the protagonist, Shao Bin, but also offers an illuminating glimpse into the complexities of life in a small Chinese town. The book's combination of wit and weight makes it a poignant and engaging read.
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
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