Ha Jin

HA JIN

Date of Birth: 1956
Birthplace: Liaoning, China
Current Residence: Atlanta, GA
Profession: Served in the Chinese People's Army from 1987-1995; Teaches at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

I want to write about the feeling of being a first-generation immigrant. I think very often it is the children or grandchildren who write about their parents, but how did the parents feel when they were here? There hasn't been a lot written about that, and I think maybe I can write a little bit about that.
-Ha Jin

When you construct a piece of work, a novel or a story, you need a lot of drama and a message. But when you write an autobiographical piece, you cannot create a happening. If this has not happened, you cannot say it happened. It is not faithful to reality, and so that is the limitation. In addition to that, I want to make my work better than myself.
-Ha Jin

Ha Jin's work has garnered attention and respect for its skill, compassion and enlightening aspects. If you've not been introduced to him before now, much amazing writing awaits.
-Irene Wanner, Seattle Times