Pearl S. Buck’s timeless masterpiece, the Pulitzer Prize–winning story of a farmer’s journey through China in the 1920s
The Good Earth is Buck’s classic story of Wang Lung, a Chinese peasant farmer, and his wife, O-lan, a former slave. With luck and hard work, the couple’s fortunes improve over the years: They are blessed with sons, and save steadily until one day they can afford to buy property … they can afford to buy property in the House of Wang—the very house in which O-lan used to work. But success brings with it a new set of problems. Wang soon finds himself the target of jealousy, and as good harvests come and go, so does the social order. Will Wang’s family cherish the estate after he’s gone? And can his material success, the bedrock of his life, guarantee anything about his soul?
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the William Dean Howells Award, The Good Earth was an Oprah’s Book Club choice in 2004. A readers’ favorite for generations, this powerful and beautifully written fable resonates with universal themes of hope and family unity.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Pearl S. Buck including rare images from the author’s estate.
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A charming, fascinating and sweeping book. The story of a Chinese family, rural and straightforward.
The story begins with the marriage of farmer Wang Lung to his slave-woman: O-Lan.
There beginning was poverty and together they bought land and had children Until a period of drought led them to leave their area and move to a southern city and …
A simple story told in a simple way. But when you finish the book and reflect on what you’ve read, you realize the simple truths are actually very deep thoughts about the human condition. No one could do it better than Pearl Buck!
I still can’t figure out why this book was so gripping, but I couldn’t put it down for days. I was enthralled from beginning to end, and greedily drank in every word from morning to evening… and yet this book shares little with your typical “page-turner.” There’s essentially no suspense, few characters are sympathetic, and the prose is simple …
This book was assigned by my high school English teacher. It sparked in me an ongoing interest in China. From its strong characters and broad historical reach, it is such a compelling book. The focus is on the human spirit, the will to survive and the importance of family connections. I’ve read it at least 3 times since high school and it …
This is such a beautiful story and should be shared with everyone. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget the life we have and it’s good to be reminded of what others go through. The characters are strong and the strength from the primary character is remarkable!!
I loved “The Good Earth” one if my very favorite reads!!!
I have always loved Miss Buck’s books. The people come to life and she brings you right into China. She was one of first authors I read as a young women that I had to read every book the Library had by her. I have since re-read most of them, and I still found them totally interesting and informative about the land and people.
I had no expectations when I started this book – I’d heard of it as it had been on my parents’ bookshelves and I knew it was set in pre-revolutionary China – but that was it. I have to say – I loved it.
Leaving aside any arguments regarding cultural appropriation – this was written in the 1930s before political correctness existed – I found it a …
I read this in High School. It was required reading at that time….1954. I fell in love with Pearl Bucks writing and read a few more but my favorite was always The Good Earth. It takes place in China and was published in 1931. It was about a man who was greedy. It’s been years since I’ve read it but actually it’s an historical book so it could be …
I read this in High School when I had to for an assignment. It was the first book I actually read ahead of everyone else and began my passion for books. I’ll read it again this year.
Another classic that is a must-read. Have read it more than a few times. Great every single time I read it.
China and Pearl…hard to beat.
Opened my eyes to another culture.
I found it boring.
Real classic. Everyone should read this book.
This is a wonderful story. It’s sad, tragic but yet inspirational I think it’s a story of great love. I enjoyed reading this book & hated to stop reading when I had chores to do. Pearl Buck absolutely wrote a classic and anyone who enjoys reading should read this book. There’s nothing more I can say except that I don’t think you will regret …
You understand the characters by their actions. There are many ways to love and they don’t need to be confrontational but love can be practical. You really feel part of their world.
It is a classic and just shows that people are people and men are men all over the world no matter their race or ethnic origens.
In this time of the opioid crisis everyone should gain some historical perspective. If you never read it or haven’t read it since high school, now may be a good time to see what Pearl Buck had to say about this drug and its effect on societies.
Wonderful story of a struggle endured by the Chinese.