The Good Earth
Author: Pearl S Buck
Best Part About The Book: The book explores the normal rise and fall of everyday life… of a Chinese peasant who must face marriage, gain and loss of land and property, feeding children, war and more.
What’s Missing: It’s a good read… I’m not sure it’s one to read over and over.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Curious about village life in China? Pearl S Buck was raised in the country, spent much of her adult life there, and even had her tombstone inscribed with Chinese characters. When Asian children could not be adopted in the west, she started her own adoption agency. Hers is a sympathetic portrayal of the Chinese who lived on the fringes of society. Also interesting is her inclusion of the “poor fool” when her own daughter was not mentally sound. Written in 19 book won the Pulitzer Prize and continues to be enjoyed, generation after generation. I am still moved to pity when I think of solid, ugly O-Lan being replaced with a second wife.
