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)

Remarkable!!!!!!!

What did you love best about The Good Earth?

I will have to come back and do a formal review because I am only a quarter of the way into this book at this time. I am just so moved by it at this time, I had to stop and say something. It is beautiful. I remember reading it in High School and maybe again in college. When I saw it in the Trilogy Sale I thought WOW this would be delightful. Boy was that an understatement. The reader is reading this at such a perfect pace, with such respect for the work and the characters and the enunciation is lovely. The story of course is a classic. I will be back at the end of the trilogy, but I can't imagine it will go downhill. How could it?

Now I know why it is a classic

The story grabbed me from the start and kept my interest tight the whole book. That rarely happens for me. Loved it!

Powerful

Since High School, I've read this story at least once a year. Very, Powerful. Powerful.

Enoyable

This was a well written and enjoyable story. I thought that the narrator was especially good!

Memorable

I loved this book, touched my heart and soul, the narrator is marvelous and the story drags little but worth all my time.
So happy for books like this.

life story saga told with feeling and insight

if you like life stories you may like this. Well mannered story telling that doesn't patronize or scandalize difficult topics.

Simply a classic

Would you listen to The Good Earth again? Why?

Oh yes, someday I'm certain will for several reasons. The writing is beautiful and shows such an understanding of the people and the time they lived in. The performance by Anthony Heald is exceptional This is an audiobook to lose yourself in.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Good Earth?

The years of draught and near-starvation.

Any additional comments?

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I've waited so long to "read" this book. It is timeless and a true classic

Thoroughly enjoyed this

Story was engaging and interesting and I never felt bored by it. A wonderful glance back in time.

The Good Earth

A classic brought to life beautifully. I'm so glad I chose to revisit The Good Earth 🌎 on Audible.

Truly classic.

Exceptional in it's simplicity. Wonderfully magical storytelling. I'm sorry I'm so late to this one!