Cornflower Book Group - The Good Earth

 

    Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth is a book which plots the course of a life in exemplary manner, its style formal, appropriate and utterly consistent throughout, the arc of the story well-proportioned, its themes universal. It's about the ebb and flow of one man's fortunes, of times of plenty and scarcity of all kinds - not just in the material sense - and of impermanence, of how all things, good and bad, will pass, but within the cycle of life, and in the passage from earth to earth which shows that for everything there is a season, there is so much more about Chinese culture and society, the position of women, religion, superstition and the propitiation of the gods, of the 'false summits' of achieving one's desires, and of how a legacy is in the hands of those to whom it is left - the giver has given over and given up the gift in the fullest sense.

    It needs no more introduction than that, I think, but I will say that it made a huge impression on me, its style, simplicity and profundity, its distinctive voice, its fable-like nature and the wisdom it offers; I'd call it a special book.

    What did you think of it?

Comments

[Anji]

I guess I have beaten Julie this time around.

The Good Earth was a re-read for me. It was a special book and once again I found myself swept up with the story of Wang Lung and his struggles. The insights to the Chinese culture were interesting as I had read nothing like it before. I had no knowledge of the exotic world of pre-revolutionary China, it's history or it's people. That society no longer exists and it has been swept away with the upheavals of the 20th century.

This time around I couldn't help thinking of Animal Farm and wondered if it was a cautionary tale.

[Ruthiella]

I wasn’t very taken with The Good Earth; I found it a little dull. I have heard that there is a sequel to the story and I have little inclination to read that. I did appreciate the lack of sentimentality in the story, as difficult as it was at times to read (oh how I wanted Wang Lung to let O-lan keep those pearls!). It in interesting, CF, that you mention that the book illustrated “the 'false summits' of achieving one's desires” because I found reading the book to be like reading a really long parable, reflecting the Buddhist idea that all life is suffering brought about by human desire. But you also reference that famous bit from Ecclesiastes, to everything there is a season, which is also a subtle theme running through in the book. I mistakenly assumed that because Buck was the daughter of Christian missionaries that the book would be, for lack of a better word, overtly “preachy”, but it wasn’t. I am glad I read it and I look forward to reading the insights of those who enjoyed it more than I did.

[michi]

It's my first time to join this book club. When this book was announced as the book of this month, I wasn't so keen about it, but i gave it a try as  I wouldn't have read it otherwise. 

I found this novel to be engrossing,and some descriptions of  landscapes and a rural life made me nostalgic as I spent my childhood in a rural area in the north part of Japan.  
I was impressed with the author's profound understanding and respect to Chinese culture and people. There must been lots of things in Chinese society that she must've found appalling and challenging to understand  with her own Western/ Christian values ( how badly women were treated!) but she avoids being righteous and maintains her detached voice through the story.

I'm glad I read it, thanks for this opportunity.

[Barbara MacLeod]

Well I tried but I did not stay the course for this one! I had great difficulty getting a copy but finally obtained one, rather late on, within 24 hours from Amazon. However by this time I had just obtained from the library a book which someone recommended to me: Andrew Greig’s In Another Light . So I’m afraid the Buck book got bumped!

After an optimistic start I reached the point in the story where Wang-Lung was arguing with his uncle and went on to refer to his “shiftless brood of cousins”. My heart sank … and I closed the book. I could see what was coming and just wasn’t in the space for it, no matter what the period or culture!

However, I put a point to some friends last night: the word “shiftless” is one I do not hear in the UK and associate with North American usage. (Most disagreed on this point.) We looked it up, trying to guess its origin first. I thought it was to do with not being settled, somewhat dislocated. No. Chambers Dictionary states: “without a smock”. Perhaps this might help explain why the word “shift” as used in the workplace might have arisen, i.e. the time when there is a change of clothes.

[Mr Cornflower]

I found this evocative and convincing in the way a complex and very different society is created - whether or not the picture painted is historically accurate is another question and doesn't really matter for what is after all a work of fiction. The characters and their stories do draw you in and that surely must be the test. I can understand that the the prose style might begin to grate, it is a bit like a mid-20th century bible translation in which one paragraph in three begins with "Then..." But overall a positive report and I'm glad I was prompted to read it.

[Sandy]

I never feel comfortable when I don't enjoy a book that Cornflower likes and this time I am even less happy, knowing that this novel won the Pulitzer Prize. The last prizewinner here ('The Bridge at San Luis Rey') remains in my top 10. It seems clear I will never be a good critic...

This book just did not come alight for me. It seemed a flat in style and just did not involve me in the characters. It was educational, and reminded me of a documentary! Unfairly perhaps, I found myself comparing it to 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet' and it never could measure up.

As always I am very grateful that the choice here stimulated me to read another book that I would not have found on my own, and I am off to re-read 'The Thousnand Autumns ...', so some good will come.

[cappucciya]

I read this a couple of years ago, and found it totally engrossing. Maybe because the style is so straightforward, so un-showy, it allows the story and the characters to come to the forefront. It was a history lesson in the best way, and I found it hard to believe that it had been written by an American, albeit one who had grown up in China.

[cappucciya]

I read this a couple of years ago, and found it totally engrossing. Maybe because the style is so straightforward, so un-showy, it allows the story and the characters to come to the forefront. It was a history lesson in the best way, and I found it hard to believe that it had been written by an American, albeit one who had grown up in China.

[Christine Harding]

Initial thoughts: I found it difficult to engage with the characters or the story. As Sandy said, I found it flat - and I thought the language was stilted, almost as if it was a poor translation of something that was not originlly written in English. Having said that, it did provide some insights into Chinese life and culture, but a clearer indication of the period would have helped put it in context. I agree with what you say about about the cycle of life and there being a season for everything. And your comments about 'false summits' of achieving one's desires was interesting, because as I read it and the story progressed I kept thinking of a fairy tale about the Old Woman and her husband who live in a vinegar bottle and are granted wishes, and she keeps wishing for more a more splendid houses and lifestyles, and is never satisfied.

[Rose]

I've tracked down a copy of the DVD 'The Good Earth' (the movie, 1937) starring Paul Muni and Luise Rainer (the Original Region Free Korean Release with UK subtitles!) - I am looking forward to watching this when I have a moment and will report back to these pages once I've seen it. I enjoyed the book very much indeed as did my daughter who swiped my copy of The Good Earth once I had put it down - I read it in double-quick time. Thank you for the recommendation Cornflower and looking forward to the next one on the list, The Optimist's Daughter - I don't know ANYTHING about this book (though I have come across the name Eudora Welty) but I do know that my absolutely wonderful Dad is an optimist and I am his daughter!

[Rebecca]

I remember reading this as my choice from my high school's summer reading list (which I loved having and still admire as a school stance!). Even now, 30 yrs later, I can remember being struck by the language, as many mentioned. Until that time, most of the novels I'd read were lively, sometimes fantastic, but certainly most had a style that seemed to hint the author had had at least one eye on his/her audience. Buck simply seemed to write, with no concern for her reader--in a good way. I still remember how her matter of fact tone and unfolding and often tragic plot struck me as new and "grown up". I was very proud of myself for having read it! To this day, it's still linked in my mind with Steinbeck's "The Pearl"--not sure why, except for style and outcome.

[Jade]

This is the first time I've actually read been able to join in the book group, even though I follow this blog quite faithfully!!
I loved The Good Earth. Although it is set in China in a certain period, I didn't really see it as an historical novel at all. The main themes of the relationship between people and the land, people and money, men and women, parents and children are universal. In my country, land is both a blessing and a curse, and even though I am not a farmer (I even kill potplants) Wang Lung's love for his land pierced my heart. In an odd way, The Good Earth reminded me of Gone With The Wind. The societies depicted in these books are very hierarchical and impose heavy strictures on people, especially women, yet they also show how people can overcome these strictures. They were both written by American women in the 1930's so perhaps that was the zeitgeist...

[Susan in TX]

Popping in to say that I'm not quite done yet, but I am enjoying it.

[Jill]

Thank you again for your reading choice dear Cornflower. I loved The Good Earth for the clarity of the writing and the deeply engaging and moving story. Since finishing it I have been going around metaphorically hitting my reading friends over the head with this and recommending it to one and all.

[Cornflower]

Cautionary is right, I think.

[Cornflower]

I very much enjoyed the parable nature of the book, but oh, the cruelty of that business with the pearls!

[Cornflower]

You're welcome, Michi, and I agree that Pearl Buck's understanding of Chinese culture is impressive.

[Cornflower]

Shiftless is a word I have heard used here, though by my grandmother's generation, I think.
Sorry the book didn't work for you, Barbara!

[Cornflower]

I found the very repetitive style extremely effective.

[Cornflower]

Oh well, better luck next time, Sandy! (The Thousand Autumns is wonderful).

[Cornflower]

I think the style is perfect for the subject matter, and the 'voice' is so distinctive. Fascinating book.

[Cornflower]

Yes, I thought that 'rise in fortunes but never being satisfied' theme was cautionary and sad.
Interesting that for some of us the very flatness makes it work particularly well whereas for others it doesn't at all.

[Cornflower]

I didn't there was a film, but I'd love to hear about it when you have a moment, Rose, thankyou.
Given what you say re. The Optimist's Daughter, I hope that book turns out to be a great success!

[Cornflower]

It's certainly a very 'different' book, and must have been exceptionally so when first published.

[Cornflower]

Glad you enjoyed the book, Jade. I too found the significance of the land/the earth very powerful.
I hadn't thought of Gone with the Wind (I read it so long ago) but you have a point.

[Cornflower]

Good!

[Cornflower]

Glad to hear that, Jill; thankyou.

[Christine Harding]

After reflection, I haven't changed my mind.I didn't enjoy it but I'm glad I read it - I bought the book ages ago, and would never have finished it if I hadn't made the effort for the book group, so thank you! It's good to read things outside my usual comfort zone. I have now got round o writing about it http://chriscross-thebooktrunk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/chinese-puzzle.html

[Julie Fredericksen]

You beat me because I thought it was on for Saturday, May 26!

[Julie Fredericksen]

I am going to weigh in here even though I thought the discussion was to be this coming Saturday. Therefore, I hadn't re-read it but I have read it twice before and enjoyed it both times. I am really surprised that so many people disliked it. I found kindred reactions in the comments by Anji, Jill, Jade, cappucciya and michi.

[Anji]

Oh dear!

[lila]

I would have to say that I liked it. I had read it years ago and remembered so little.
The cultural mistreatment of women and girls is of course appalling but very true. Even today,many girl babies are given away (or aborted) in China. After reading "The Good Earth", I read "Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth" by Hilary Spurling. Published 2010. It really helped me to feel the times in which she wrote and gave wonderful insight into the life of a family with a zealous missionary as the father!

[Cornflower]

Yes, that is one of the reasons for having the group - reading things we might not otherwise have picked up. Sometimes it works!

[Cornflower]

I was so taken by it that I am quite surprised not everyone felt the same. Ah well ...

[Cornflower]

I'd like to read Hilary Spurling's book now.

[Dark Puss]

I would say that it always works (at least for me). Even for books that I do not like, and I didn't read this one for reasons completely unconnected with its content etc. I learn a lot about literature and something, however small, about myself. That sounds like a winning situation to me!

[Cornflower]

Good-oh!