A Good Fall
Stories

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 strugglessome minute, some grandfaced by these men, women, and children. A lonely composer takes comfort in the songs of his girlfriends 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 Jins 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.