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The Good Earth

(Blackstone Audio Classic Collection)

By Pearl S. Buck, Anthony Heald (Reader)

(76)

| Audio CD | 9781433204098

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Book Description

The story begins on the wedding day of farmer Wang Lung and follows his simple, often one-sided view of the Chinese culture, times, and his connection with the land. The land is a recurring theme throughout the novel, seemingly nurtured by the apparent protagonists, rejected and ruined by the antagoContinue

Critics

'The Good Earth' by Pearl S. Buck

The Good Earth is the first in an "oriental trilogy" written by American-born Pearl S. Buck. First published in 1931, it went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1932 and the William Dean Howells Medal in 1935. (Buck later received the Nobel ... (read full critics)

readingmatters published on Sun, 17 Oct 2010

8 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

One of the best books I've read!

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Marisa said on Feb 13, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

*** This comment contains spoilers! ***

(Review originally written for my book blog at www.michelleamanda.co.uk)
I absolutely love this book. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover – but its the cover art that first drew me to the book, and on this occasion, I was glad I chose it!
The book was very cleverly written, and there ar ... (continue)

(Review originally written for my book blog at www.michelleamanda.co.uk)
I absolutely love this book. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover – but its the cover art that first drew me to the book, and on this occasion, I was glad I chose it!
The book was very cleverly written, and there are so many themes and links that you could explore through the book. I like the contrast between the wealthy and the poor, and how by the end of the book, the money has gone full circle and yet ended up in the same house from which Wang Lung's best land was purchased. Despite being about a time and place I'm unfamiliar with, the story of the family drew me in so that the location and situation, though unfamiliar, did not put me off reading as it sometimes has done in the past with other books.
Some find the end of the story disappointing – but I think it is fitting and helps to round off the lessons being taught in the book. I think it is important that instead of a happy ending, Wang Lung 's sons plan to sell the land that Wang Lung treasured and held dearer than all else. After all the loss, deception and greed within the family, it doesn't seem achievable that a comforting ending should happen.
The only negative is that nearer the end of the book, you hear very little of Wang Lung's younger offspring. Only the older brothers are featured a lot, very little mention is given to the other children and what has happened to them all is only recounted near the end. As this was a story of the family as a whole, I would have preferred that the book be longer and all the journeys of all the offspring given in a little more detail.

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Michelle said on Jan 5, 2011 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

I remember, the reason that I bought this book was because our teacher required us to read this in our English Class when I was in my second year in high school.
It was too deep for me back then that I even used some notes from the net about this book in order to create my own book report (HAHA). ... (continue)

I remember, the reason that I bought this book was because our teacher required us to read this in our English Class when I was in my second year in high school.
It was too deep for me back then that I even used some notes from the net about this book in order to create my own book report (HAHA).
But I appreciated it more now that I've read it for the second time.
This book teaches its readers about humility and simplicity, how wealth can really control and manipulate the one handling it, how desire can really eat you up alive.
Like what had happened to Wang Lung and those people around him.
But I was disappointed with the ending. That's all.

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Arra said on Jul 23, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

I first read this book when I was 16 and now 50 years later I listened to the story as an Audio book. I could not stop listening, loved the book

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Lgpitre said on Jul 13, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Old but still relevant

I am not sure if I picked up this book because Oprah told me too or because it looked good, either way it doesn't matter because it was a well written book. I really felt like I in China, living the life of O-lan. It was a difficult journey, reading the trials they all faced and the way it all end ... (continue)

I am not sure if I picked up this book because Oprah told me too or because it looked good, either way it doesn't matter because it was a well written book. I really felt like I in China, living the life of O-lan. It was a difficult journey, reading the trials they all faced and the way it all ended, but a journey that one should take. I would recommend this book.

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Elicia Clegg said on Jul 1, 2010 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Memorable

While I am not at all slow to admit that this book did have its fair share of dull bits with a lack of flair to the descriptiveness, overall, I really do have to say that this book is memorable.
In fact, I am quite proud to say that though at some points I was tempted to give up, I am very gla ... (continue)

While I am not at all slow to admit that this book did have its fair share of dull bits with a lack of flair to the descriptiveness, overall, I really do have to say that this book is memorable.
In fact, I am quite proud to say that though at some points I was tempted to give up, I am very glad that I didn't, for this book has enriched my life.
Through reading the experiences of the Chinese man Wang Lung and his family, not only did I become more knowledgeable on old Chinese culture, but a certain lesson about life seems to have been implanted in me, that lesson which seems to be stated at both the beginning and the end of the book. It is that of how the Chinese man relied on his own soil to feed and supply him, and in the end, this is all he truly has that is his. Sure, this may not apply to everyone, but this lesson, I believe, can be easily related to other situations.
So, overall, I would recommend this book as a definite read. Not only does it focus on the land, but on richness, poorness, good and evil, on relationships, hardships, devotion and lust. It deals with growing old and moving on. It deals even with betrayal. There are a few quotes that have been carved into my mind during the end of the story- and a closing that sent a chill down my spine.

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Ahl(t)erior Mohti(v)es said on May 9, 2009 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback