The Good Earth
 

The Good Earth

by Pearl S. Buck

ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED
BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP
A poignant tale about the life and labors of a Chinese farmer during the sweeping reign of the country¹s last emperor.
EACH ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES:
• A concise introduction that gives readers important background information
• A chronology of the author's life and work
• A timeline of... (read more)

Top tags: chinaclassicfictionhistorical fictionliterature (all tags)

Discussions

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  • Wookeeduck

    wookeeduck said:

    I feel absolutely no need to submit my qualifications, as either writer or reader, before expressing my immense satisfaction in reading this book. I actually went to an appointment with a copy of "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" and my doctor wholeheartedly recommended "The Good Earth." I'm glad she did. At moments I hated Wang Lung, but then I would suddenly love him again as he redeemed himself. I worried for the family and mourned when O-lan, the character I felt was the most powerful, finally died. The symbolism (the train or the pamphlets that illustrated a crucified Christ and frightened Wang Lung) which hinted of the influence of western culture upon the east was subtle enough to be a graceful component while still successfully making a valid and important contribution to the overall story. I especially love the continuous reference to the earth and it's relevance, or lack thereof, to the characters within the story. The earth itself seems to be a character in its own right that forms the story and gives us that constant point of reference as the symbol and mainstay of the entire book.

    posted Friday, June 27 2008
  • typedeck911

    typedeck911 said:

    a well written book. only a writer can understand, what skill it takes to weave a story like this. bravo book. i had a really bad misconception that women cant write well. the myth was broken after this book.

    posted Monday, May 12 2008 ( | view 1 reply )
  • abrar M

    abrar m said:

    i read the book many years ago and i read it again recently..still so alive, moving and enchanting..

    posted Friday, March 28 2008
  • karen v

    karen v said:

    There are so many scenes from this book that will stay with me for life! Great book.

    posted Sunday, January 13 2008
  • Rebel26

    rebel26 said:

    This book always shows up on those lists of classic books, but I never really felt the need to read it. Then I saw an old copy at my mom's house and picked it up. It is such a beautifully written story! I just loved it. Buck's writing style is simple but descriptive. The story takes us through the cycles of birth and death, feast and famine, poverty and riches. It's just amazing, we see all of the beauty and horror of the human condition in one man & his family. Well worth the read.

    posted Thursday, January 3 2008
  • Brittany COFL

    brittany cofl said:

    do you like this book?

    posted Wednesday, December 12 2007 ( | view 1 reply )
  • Pat C

    pat c said:

    Another memorable high school read that stays in my mind. Should be on my list of rereads....now that I am grown up.

    posted Wednesday, November 14 2007 ( | view 1 reply )
  • FBK

    fbk said:

    It was interesting to me the upward mobility of this farmer and his family. I thought that the caste system in China in this day was stronger than this, and that you couldn't necessarily work your way up into a higher social position. I thought the lot you were born into would limit you for the rest of your life. But Wang Lung turns his family into one of the "great families" by hard work and resourcefulness. Whether they deserve that title is another question ...

    posted Sunday, November 11 2007 ( | view 1 reply )
  • sanghamitra c

    sanghamitra c said:

    Pearl Buck lived in China for a long time and her English writing style is unique, as if a chinese person is saying them in English. Memorable book.

    posted Saturday, November 10 2007
  • maryam a

    maryam a said:

    I read this book 9 or 10 years ago. I still remember it exactly. Very impressive with believeable characters. I am interested in Pearl Buck's stories.I feel close to her.

    posted Friday, November 9 2007

Displaying 1-10 of 16 discussions

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