The Good Earth

Pearl S. Buck

Wang Lung is a poor Chinese farmer around the turn of the 20th century as the politics in China are in flux. None of the government changes affect Wang Lung. He is concerned with planting his crops, having his sons, caring for his father, and tending to his land. This book follows Wang Lung's life from his marriage to near his death.

His father arranges for Wang Lung to marry one of the slaves from the big house in the town. O-lan is not an attractive, small woman, but rather a plain, big-boned, sturdy, silent woman. He is proud to have his own woman. She is a great help to him as he plants his ground.

Soon they have a son and celebrate. When she shows their son off to her old mistress at the big house, she learns they have land to sell. Wang Lung takes what little they have saved and buys the land. He rationalizes that no matter how bad things may get, no one can take the land from them.

This is a wonderful look at the Chinese life and mindset of the everyday man in the country. Sons are all important, daughters are slaves that will leave the house when they are older. Wives are slaves to their husbands or masters. Wang Lung spends the days in the fields growing his wheat and rice. O-lan keeps the house, makes the clothes and shoes, cares for the elderly father, and raises the children. She is frugal and helps them get through the hard times. She never forgets her childhood as a slave in the big house.

Pearl S. Buck lived 40 years in China. She brings a small piece of the country to life in this novel. Although the book focuses on Wang Lung, as a woman my main sympathies went to O-lan. It is a classic, and a good read.