The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck | 1931 | Washington Square Press | Paperback $ 17.99
Pearl S. Buck paints an indelible portrait of China in the 1920s, when the last emperor reigned and the vast political and social upheavals of the twentieth century were but distant rumblings. This moving, classic story of the honest farmer Wang Lung and his selfless wife O-Lan is must reading for those who would fully appreciate the sweeping changes that have occurred in the lives of the Chinese people during the last century.
This is actually a re-read for me. I first read it years ago, as a teenager; we were on some family vacation or other and sitting around waiting for a long flight, so I grabbed this book from an airport bookshop. I have to admit that I couldn’t remember many details about the story, other than that it stuck with me in a way and the physical item itself has remained on my bookshelf ever since. This seemed like a perfect candidate to re-read for Classics Club.
After reading it again as an adult, I can see why it stuck with me. The story itself is interesting, of course — the life of a farmer might not sound like it would be interesting, but what with all the feast-or-famine and interpersonal drama and changing fortunes, there’s actually quite a lot going on — but the writing itself is somehow both engaging and meditative.
I found myself more drawn to the stories of the women in the main character’s life, rather than the man himself. Of course the whole story is told from the single main character’s point of view, and from his perspective all women are “slaves”, fit only to cook and do farm or house labor and provide physical comforts and bear sons. But the reality is that the trajectory of his life is necessarily set by the actions of the women in it. I can’t help wondering what this story would look like from each of their own perspectives.
I think I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction generally, especially — obviously — to folks who are drawn to pastoral stories or stories set in non-Western cultures. It’s certainly not a bad choice if you need to pick up something to read for a long flight.
Links:
- Pearl S. Buck International
- Biography from the National Women’s History Museum
- Obituary from the New York Times
Publication information: Buck, Pearl S. The good earth. New York City, NY: Washington Square Press, 2004. Print.
Source: Personal library.
Disclaimer: I am not compensated, monetarily or otherwise, for reviews of books or other products.
