The Good Earth

By: Pearl S. Buck

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize Winner, Novel 1932

This Pulitzer Prize-winning classic tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall.

Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. 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.

©1958 Pearl S. Buck (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"A beautiful, beautiful book. At last we read, in the pages of a novel, of the real people of China." ( Saturday Review)
" The Good Earth has style, power, coherence and a pervasive sense of dramatic reality." ( New York Times Book Review)
"To read this story of Wang Lung is to be slowly and deeply purified; and when the last page is finished it is as if some significant part of one's own days were over." ( Bookman)

Very good read (listen)

I really enjoyed this book and the narrator did a wonderful job with the voices.

Excellent narration

A superb narration makes this classic well worth listening to and enjoying.

One of the 20th Century's Great Books

If you could sum up The Good Earth in three words, what would they be?

Compassion, human condition

What did you like best about this story?

The enormous compassion this story contains for human beings living under terribly difficult situations.

Which scene was your favorite?

Details about the central character's struggles getting started with his farming.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had had the leisurely schedule, I might well have wanted this.

Any additional comments?

The narrator of the story, the reader, adds a great and important dimension to the telling of this tale. Wonderful !

Fascinating story of life in China-fine narration

The novel tells the story of a man's life in China around the end of the 19th century. Many fascinating details of what life was like then. One odd thing is how little affection there is between most of the characters: most of them are scheming, grasping, materialistic and selfish. The narration is excellent.

wonderfully told story

Great view into life in China at the turn of the century; the way values change through time. Great narration. Really enjoyed the story and became attached to all the main characters. Loved following the family through the decades. I'm sure I read this in High School, but this time, the story was more appreciated.

Interesting Insight into China

We are going to China soon and this was a very well written glimpse into China of the past. The pride of owning and working the land but also the 'value' of binding feet,sons over daughters, etc. The reader was fantastic.

pleasantly surprised

What did you like best about this story?

The cultural irony

What does Anthony Heald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Heald is known for portraying rather prissy and unlikable characters on television. I was a bit iffy about what to expect from his read of this novel. However, he brought just enough drama and irony to his performance that I know I will listen to it again.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me extremely glad I do not live in that time and place.

A simple pleasure

outstanding performance of a classic piece of literature. how good to be reminded of the good earth and all it gives us.

One of my favorites!!

This book was very inspirational. I love historical fiction & it really took me through the times with Wang Lung, the protagonist, of the novel. A rags to riches story with a foreshadowing twist.

Premise seems lame but isn't

I tried to describe the plot to a friend and they thought it sounded boring and I can't dispute that it should be...but it wasn't. I was completely entertained pretty much the whole way even with very little suspense, excitement or humor. I see why its a classic but it didn't do quite enough for me to read the rest of the trilogy.