The Good Earth

By: Pearl S. Buck

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

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)

A Good Read

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook narrated by Anthony Heald. He could very well become a favorite of mine. I was surprised when I learned he was Dr Chilton from Silence of the Lambs. He didn't just read the book, but added inflection to each word.

I read The Good Earth as a requirement when I went to school but didn't remember a thing about it. It was a new and pleasant discovery to read it again.

The book is a rich portrait of culture of the Chinese people. It followed the life of Wang Lung, a poor farmer from working his land and the good life it brought him. It described times of abject poverty and near starvation to wealth and prestige. The story demonstrates how money and wealth can make one forget his/her humble beginnings. It also reflects on the struggle to pass on one's morals and ethics to children.

While I enjoyed this first book in a trilogy, I don't think I will read the other two - Sons and A House Divided. I was engaged with Wang Lung's life but never cared enough about his children to continue on with their stories. But, you never know. I could change my mind.
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A story full of life's lessons.

Enjoyed the narrator's performance I grew frustrated at times with tendency of human nature to repeat mistakes.

A Classic with Power & Meaning

I don't think I read this as s student - and I'm not sure I would have appreciated it as I do now.

What a great story and finely drawn characters! This is a story about humanity, life lessons, and recognizing what is truly important. I hung on every word. The narrator did an excellent job portraying various genders and ages. I recommend this highly.

A good read or listen every time

Would you consider the audio edition of The Good Earth to be better than the print version?

I don't think the audio edition can be considered better, as much as it can be considered to "enrich" the experience of the book as a whole. Buck wrote with such clarity of subject and description - it is not hard to visualize from her printed words. Heald's narration only takes that clarity and puts it in your ears.

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

The moment when the farmer realizes his error in having taken two pearls from his wife, to give to his mistress.

What about Anthony Heald’s performance did you like?

He didn't overly embelish tone or voices - very nice smooth presentation of a classic.

Who was the most memorable character of The Good Earth and why?

The main character, the farmer - the story is about him and his love of the land.

Great easy to follow read

I am a literature teacher at our homeschool co-op, we did this for our final read, mostly a class of sophomore boys. All of the boys and the few girls really enjoyed this book, as did I. I only warn about a few spots for kids if this is a little touchy for kids.

A Good Read

This book was pretty interesting. The beginning started of well. In my opinion this book
started of very well and stayed quite interesting until about the middle where it sort of became still interesting but a little slow and depressing down to the slightly dissatisfying ending. I think that it would have been productive for the author to end the book at the end of part one. Despite the less enrapturing begging the good earth is still a masterful novel. It shows about how great wealth can only bring sorrows and to have a little over enough is ideal, that love is what's important. Although unlike many books about love vs. money it is not about one's love for one's family but love of the earth. Belonging with the earth which spawns undying satisfaction and the only true happiness.The good earth although not perfect sends a powerful message and begs of your attention. It translates an understanding deeper than bone it's not to be missed out on!

I love this classic!

Mr. Heald reads the story so that it comes alive. It was a pleasure to listen to the story having read it many years ago.

Beautiful - my favorite book

Beautiful story - transported through time - the narrator brings depth to the characters - excellent.

A True Classic

This book tells the true account of man. it documents well the path a man may travel in his lifetime.

worthwhile

read it again and again. Once in my 20's, about 6 times in my 60's. true to life. this is a masterpiece