KoolPeace7's Full Review: Pearl S. Buck and Stephanie Reents - Good Earth: S...
Actually, this is not a good book, it is a great book. This is a story of a man named Wang Lung. This peasant farmer gets married to a slave in the beginning of the book. He comes across many conflicts that lead to the climax. After the climax point, there is not smooth sailing. More conflicts occur, but generally things get better.
The Good Earth is written by Pearl S. Buck. She has lived in China, and even learned Chinese before English. The way the characters talk in this book sounds like how they would actually talk in Chinese, except translated into English. All through this book you feel the incredible Chinese influence, even though not many things scream out China.
This novel also addresses many issues. It shows how females are looked upon in China at that time. Marrying a woman was like marrying someone who will help with the household. A beautiful woman was just a token to enjoy and show off. Having daughters meant the same thing as having slaves. Marrying daughters off was like giving the daughter away to a different family, and marrying sons off was like adding a new woman to the family. Men could have multiple wives. Buck showed clearly how a Chinese man felt when he saw a blonde American for the first time. The poverty and starvation, and how those who had to suffer that felt toward the rich people was shown. Problems with lust and greediness were also present in this novel.
The characters in this book was definitely not perfect. Their flaws were not shown in black and white. Their flaws were discovered. As the novel progressed, more and more things were found out about each character. Although Wang Lung was the main character, he was not the wisest nor was he the most pious. Although his first wife was ugly in his eyes, she was not useless. Although his second wife was beautiful, she was not the perfect wife.
This novel starts out pretty boring. After that, it keeps getting better and better. Situations are always occurring and it never stops even at the end. I like the fact that the end was not an open ending with a huge cliff-hanger. However, the ending did not completely end the book. There was an ending enough for you to want more, but not so much that you would hate Buck for writing an ending like that. You finish the book satisfied and reflect back on what happened throughout the book.
I highly suggest that you read this book. You do not know what you are missing. I am a picky person, and I do not like many books that I have read, even if they won the Pulitzer Prize. However, this book is different. I liked this book, and I am sure that you will like it too.
This great modern classic depicts life in China at a time before the vast political and social upheavals transformed an essentially agrarian country i...More at Buy.com
About The Author:Pearl Comfort Sydenstricker was born on June 26, 1892, in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Her parents were Southern Presbyterian missionari...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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