"This is the story of the farmer Wang Lung, a very poor man, and how he grows to be rich. This book has made Pearl Buck a Nobel Prize winner. It is applicalbe to people at all ages, especially those who are interested in pre-revolutionary China."
Eric Lewis Lu Yijia, Resident Scholar
"Through the story of Wang Lung, a farmer, and his wife O-Lan, The Good Earth narrates what it is like to live in China during the pre-modernized days. During the lifetime of Lung and his wife, there is a gradual disintegration of traditional Chinese values. "
Laura Fong, Resident Scholar
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Review Analysis of The Good Earth
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story
- 1900-1920's
Inside culture (main char)
- Chinese
Other aspects:
- story of the poor
Strong "rags to riches" component?
Yes
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Outside culture (society)
- Chinese
Ethnic/regional/gender life
Yes
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- farmer
Age:
- 20's-30's
- long lived adults
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Chinese
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- bulging muscles
- very athletic
