
A Good Fall
Stories
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By:
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Ha Jin
About this listen
With the same profound attention to detail that is a hallmark of his previous acclaimed works of fiction, National Book Award winner Ha Jin gives us a collection of stories that delves into the experience of Chinese immigrants in America. Ha Jin depicts here the full spectrum of immigrant life and the daily struggles - some minute, some grand - faced by these men, women, and children.
A lonely composer takes comfort in the songs of his girlfriend's parakeet; a group of young children declare their wish to change their names so that they might sound more "American", unaware of how deeply this will sadden their grandparents; a Chinese professor of English attempts to defect with the help of a reluctant former student.
All of Ha Jin's characters struggle in situations that stir within them a desire to remain attached to their native land and traditions, as they also explore and take advantage of the newfound freedom, both social and economic, that life in a new country offers. In these deeply moving, acutely insightful, and often strikingly humorous stories, we are reminded again of the storytelling prowess of this superb writer.
©2009 Ha Jin (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Touching, sad, and enjoyable
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When Lilian Shang, born and raised in America, discovers her father’s diary after the death of her parents, she is shocked by the secrets it contains. She knew that her father, Gary, convicted decades ago of being a mole in the CIA, was the most important Chinese spy ever caught. But his diary - an astonishing chronicle of his journey from 1949 Shanghai to Okinawa to Langley, Virginia - reveals the pain and longing that his double life entailed.
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The very first Ha Jin book that I COULD put down.
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From the remarkable Ha Jin, winner of the National Book Award for his celebrated novel Waiting, comes this collection of comical and deeply moving tales of contemporary China that are as warm and human as they are surprising, disturbing, and delightful. In the title story, the head of security at a factory is shocked, first when the handsomest worker on the floor proposes marriage to his homely adopted daughter, and again when his new son-in-law is arrested for the "crime" of homosexuality.
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Wonderful Story
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The Crazed
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Too much focus on a limited number of charecters
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Wow
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Shanghai Girls
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Touching, sad, and enjoyable
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A Map of Betrayal
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Overall
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When Lilian Shang, born and raised in America, discovers her father’s diary after the death of her parents, she is shocked by the secrets it contains. She knew that her father, Gary, convicted decades ago of being a mole in the CIA, was the most important Chinese spy ever caught. But his diary - an astonishing chronicle of his journey from 1949 Shanghai to Okinawa to Langley, Virginia - reveals the pain and longing that his double life entailed.
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The very first Ha Jin book that I COULD put down.
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By: Ha Jin
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The Bridegroom
- Stories
- By: Ha Jin
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- Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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From the remarkable Ha Jin, winner of the National Book Award for his celebrated novel Waiting, comes this collection of comical and deeply moving tales of contemporary China that are as warm and human as they are surprising, disturbing, and delightful. In the title story, the head of security at a factory is shocked, first when the handsomest worker on the floor proposes marriage to his homely adopted daughter, and again when his new son-in-law is arrested for the "crime" of homosexuality.
By: Ha Jin
-
A Song Everlasting
- A Novel
- By: Ha Jin
- Narrated by: Feodor Chin
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the end of a US tour with his state-supported choir, popular singer Yao Tian takes a private gig in New York to pick up some extra cash for his daughter’s tuition fund, but the consequences of his choice spiral out of control. On his return to China, Tian is informed that the sponsors of the event were supporters of Taiwan’s secession, and that he must deliver a formal self-criticism. When he is asked to forfeit his passport to his employer, Tian impulsively decides instead to return to New York to protest the government’s threat to his artistic integrity.
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Wonderful Story
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By: Ha Jin
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Too much focus on a limited number of charecters
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There's something eerily unsettling about Ottessa Moshfegh's stories, something almost dangerous, while also being delightful and even laugh-out-loud funny. Her characters are all unsteady on their feet in one way or another; they all yearn for connection and betterment, though each in very different ways, but they are often tripped up by their own baser impulses and existential insecurities.
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Funny, Dynamic Writing
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Nice idea... but...
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a great snapshot into toxic chinese upbringing
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Be warned- Santaland Diaries is NOT included
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Before We Visit the Goddess
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The daughter of a poor baker in rural Bengal, India, Sabitri yearns to get an education, but her family's situation means college is an impossible dream. Then an influential woman from Kolkata takes Sabitri under her wing, but her generosity soon proves dangerous after the girl makes a single unforgivable misstep. Years later, Sabitri's own daughter, Bela, haunted by her mother's choices, flees abroad with her political refugee lover - but the America she finds is vastly different from the country she'd imagined.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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Great novel. Strange narrator choice.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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Worst narration ever
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The stories in Fresh Complaint explore equally rich—and intriguing—territory. Ranging from the bitingly reproductive antics of “Baster” to the dreamy, moving account of a young traveler’s search for enlightenment in “Air Mail” (selected by Annie Proulx for Best American Short Stories), this collection presents characters in the midst of personal and national emergencies. We meet a failed poet who, envious of other people’s wealth during the real-estate bubble, becomes an embezzler; a clavichordist whose dreams of art founder under the obligations of marriage and fatherhood.
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You’ll love this book if you love hearing about bodily fluids on a regular basis.
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The Thing Around Your Neck
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
In her most intimate and seamlessly crafted work to date, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie turns her penetrating eye on America in 12 dazzling stories that explore the ties that bind men and women, parents and children, Africa and the United States.
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Chima...The a solute Best
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Refuge
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
An Iranian girl escapes to America as a child, but her father stays behind. Over 20 years, as she transforms from confused immigrant to overachieving Westerner to sophisticated European transplant, daughter and father know each other only from their visits: four crucial visits over two decades, each in a different international city. The longer they are apart, the more their lives diverge, but also the more each comes to need the other's wisdom and, ultimately, rescue.
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an outstanding work of fiction
- By Vicki Sidie on 08-16-17
By: Dina Nayeri
Critic reviews
"Jin again captures the smallest details to create uniquely resonating portraits of everyday people....This new work will be welcomed by any reader." (Library Journal)
"With piercing insight, Jin paints a vast, fascinating portrait of a neighborhood and a people in flux." (Publishers Weekly)
What listeners say about A Good Fall
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Paul
- 02-12-10
A different view
I expected stories, but what I got was more interesting, "snapshots" of lives.
None of the stories were complete, nor were they meant to be, they are simply a peek into lives, a short time during the ongoing cycle of life.
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4 people found this helpful
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Story
- Stephanie
- 03-24-23
One of my favorite authors
Ever since I read “Saboteur” in my English literature class about 20 years ago I’ve been a fan of Ha Jin. His short stories are my favorite, especially Bridegroom Stories. Most readers expect a happy ending, but that is not the reality. However, if you really read/listen to the stories there’s an immense amount of hope -either through resilience of his characters or the slightest bit of silver linings. This is what I appreciate the most of Ha Jin’s work.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Frank Salomon
- 08-09-20
A kindly heart in harsh Chinese New York
Flushing, Queens is the glittering powerhouse of Chinese (and Korean) New York. But Ha JIn's people are not the ones in fine suits. A cook folding dumplings, year after year, in the sweaty kitchen of a subway stall; a penniless Buddhist monk exploited mercilessly by a temple abbot; a shoestring grad student working nights as driver for three prostitutes -- such are the individuals who glow in the light of Ha Jin's sympathy. To the story frame of low-end immigration Ha Jin adds insider understanding of the cultures, values, and insatiable family obligations Chinese New Yorkers live with. His prose moves in calm ripples, without melodrama. He faces hurtful events with a steady and kindly heart.
Ha Jin has written several novels, and I like them, but for me shortish stories like these are his most perfect works. The work especially well in audio format. He's a man I wish I knew.
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- I. M. Reading
- 04-30-18
Missing story
Would you listen to A Good Fall again? Why?
I also have the book version and so am listening to both - no need to listen again
Any additional comments?
In the hardback book version, there is an additional story, called "The Beauty" I was to read 3 stories for my book group and "The Beauty" was one of them - don't understand why it is missing from the audible version. Had to get the hard copy of the book (from the library) to read it.
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