The first time reading this as a teenager, I remember feeling frustrated with Wan Lung and wondering why he seemed to perpetuate the innate sexism that was so rampant and obvious as early as the first few pages. He was also in awe of the differences between his children, admiring both their strengths and their weaknesses. His second wife, whom he had purchased, was spoiled, entitled, and complained about lifting a finger to work. O-lan, his first wife through a chosen marriage, was caring, humble and hardworking. Buck had the ability to write characters of such varying personalities and backgrounds exemplified by his aunt and uncle who acted entitled to his father's success as a farmer, and his wives major difference. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers but they will soon meet their own downfall. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Synopsis: This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. I was fascinated by her living abroad as a child, and her work to provide humanitarian aid to impoverished children. Buck House in Pennsylvania and had visited it with my Girl Scouts troop.
I initially picked up a copy because I grew up a couple miles from The Pearl S. I had read it as a teenager and vaguely remember having a much different take away from the book than I do now. Chosen to be the July 2017 read for my book club, I enjoyed reading this story again from an adult perspective.
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