War Trash, a novel which is outwardly about the Korean War, is really a way for Ha Jin to explore the shortcomings of the two systems of government available for Chinese people: the Nationalist system in Taiwan, and the Communist on mainland China. As in Ha Jin's novel Waiting, political systems and their answers to human dilemmas are always lacking. When people seek to solve life's deep problems with political solutions, the results are always violent and inadequate. This novel has a documentary feel to it; the research into the era appears to be meticulous. All in all, War Trash is another major accomplishment for this writer, both clear and concise without lacking in depth.