About this title: Pearl Buck (1892-1973) wrote THE GOOD EARTH in three months, based on her observations of Chinese life and culture while she lived in China as the daughter of American missionaries. In the novel, Buck tells the story of a simple, traditional small-farmer, Wang Lung, whose highest priority is the land he farms himself with his wife, O-lan. ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Pocket Books
Date Published: 1994
ISBN-13:9780671510121ISBN:0671510126
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Signed by previous owner. Clean pages, no marks or tears, corners/edges bumped/chipped, crease on spine & top back cover corner, light tanning to pgs, tight binding, all pages intact solid. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 416 p. Contains: Illustrations. Enriched Classics. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Date Published: 1981
ISBN-13:9780671504373ISBN:0671504371
Description: Good. No dust jacket as issued. Signed by previous owner. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. Used but in good gondition. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Washington Square Press
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780743272933ISBN:0743272935
Description: Good. No writing, no marks, clean and clear text, cover and first page has been torn about 1/2 inch, in small half circle, creases, edgewear, stickers located on cover, also, small tear at bottom of cover, tight binding, published by Washington Square Press, copyright 2004, soft cover. read more
"I read this book in 1971, in Madras, India. Did not put it down till I finished it. Absolutely remarkable and gripping story of selfless O-lan and Wang Lung. Captures a by-gone era so vividly for all in the 21st century. My kids have read it now for school and I am sure it will stand the test of time."
"I had forgotten most of the tale until I picked it up again to reread and I am overwhelmed by the hardship and futility of the lives of the characters. Their hopelessness coupled with their fortitude, that often goes unrewarded, is devasting. The writing appears almost simplistic but the message is so profound. As I read I am aware of the seeds that are being planted for the Cultural Revolution. The poverty and ignorance led to so much jealousy and greed. Sometimes the book frightens me because I am reminded of our situation in the US, today. There is so much greed and selfishness currently. Did this lead us to this need for more government intervention, more socialism, which ultimately fails in every culture? Those that do less want more from those that are more productive and there seems to be no just reward anymore for hard work anymore. Is this our Cultural Revolution?"
"I've always wanted to read this book and really had no idea what it was about. Now I know. Some of it was difficult - the way they treat baby girls/women in China - but that was a learning experience for me. The book was really great at driving home the message that you have to appreciate what you have, no matter how big or how small, without getting prideful about it. It also reinforced the work ethic I was taught - that you work hard and enjoy the results."
"I really, really wish I hadn't google-searched 'foot binding' after reading this book.
In the tradition of a beloved college professor, I give The Good Earth a subtitle which reveals more of the moral stuff which fills it. Ahem. : The Good Earth: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems.
The Good Earth is packed with cautionary tales of wealth and idleness, tradition and progression, and lust. Wow, the character studies one could do in this book! Just things I noticed:
- The very thing Wang Lung detested, O-lan's unbound feet, actually helped him produce his wealth because she could help him with the land, and do all of the labor in the house. Women with bound feet could move very little because it was excruciating to walk.
- With wealth came idleness and a detachment from the land. The antagonists of the story in the end were Wang Lung's own rich, idle sons. There was very rarely ever 'peace' in Wang Lung's house from the time he became rich to the end of the book. And in the times of peace, we see that Wang Lung blatantly ignored the problems and troubles in his house. Ignorance is bliss when you live with the likes of Lotus. Can I get a holla-back? ;)"
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