THE BOOK FAIR

Review:

Pearl S. Buck won the Pulitzer Prize for her bestselling novel, “The Good Earth”, in 1932.  The story depicts the life of a Chinese farming family before WW I.  The book was followed by two sequels, “Sons”, published in 1932 and “A House Divided”, published in 1935.  Three years later, the author won the Nobel Prize in literature.

 

“The Good Earth,” focuses on Wang Lung, a poor, Chinese farmer and his wife, O-lan.  The couple work long, arduous hours on their farm to produce a simple living. O-lan bears several children, but unlike her husband, is only interested in sons.  Wang Lung, clever and industrious, earns enough money to buy more land.  Eventually, the family acquires wealth, which attracts unwholesome members of the family to reside with them, much to Wang Lung’s annoyance.

After a drought, Wang Lung faces a financial crisis and moves his family to the city.  The family lives in poverty.  One of his sons steals food; O-lan decides to sell a daughter.  Wang Lung struggles to keep his family together and moral.  He despises the city.  Suddenly, during a fortuitous moment, Wang Lung finds an escape.  The family returns to the country and Wang Lung rebuilds his wealth, where he is again, besieged by unwanted relatives.

Wang Lung changes after he meets an entertainer, Lotus.  His father disapproves. Wang Lung becomes cruel to O-lan and gives her most prized possession to Lotus.

 

In his old age, Wang Lung expects peace and quiet and the love of his children.  Wealthy enough, he need no longer work; instead he suffers the bickering, arguing and jealousies between his sons, his nephew, and their wives.

Wang Lung’s sons do not share his love of farming or of the land that made them rich.  Wang Lung is upset and angry when he hears his sons discussing selling the land.  The sons quiet their father with assurances, but over his head, smile knowingly to each other.