The Good Earth

By: Pearl S. Buck

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

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.

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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)

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4 out of 5 stars

By Janice Budd on 07-30-11

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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5 out of 5 stars

By Jennifer S Wilkinson on 10-06-19

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.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Polly on 06-11-12

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.

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4 out of 5 stars

By Janine M. Corey on 03-18-13

Great Book about Pre-Revolutionary China

Where does The Good Earth rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is in my second tier of books that I have listened to, since I thought the narrator was a little weak in his voicing of female characters.

What other book might you compare The Good Earth to and why?

"Memoirs of a Geisha" because both books carefully detail another time and place with complexity and sympathy for the important and difficult roles that women play.

Which character – as performed by Anthony Heald – was your favorite?

My favorite characters was the main character, and the narrator did a good job with him.

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

No. It is more sweeping epic than gripping can't put it down thriller and so lent itself to listening over a course of days.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Ashraf Abaza on 02-19-20

An amazing story teller

I felt like I lived in old China and was able to learn so much about the psychological makeup of the old farmer of this very fragile human civilization.
The reader was very talented and sensitive.
I love it.
No that I read it, it’s time to re read it.

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4 out of 5 stars

By Sheri on 07-29-20

Lush and exotic read

Beautiful immersion into the life of Wang Lung in China and the story of his family, his land, the region and the people at the turn of the 20th century. Everything felt like a painting being brought alive stroke by stroke. At times, it was slow and a bit of a slog, but you realize that that is really part of life, back then as it is in current days. It was thought-provoking, and did not shy away from the ugly side of life and the trials poor peasants endured. This is one book that deserves the accolade of a "sweeping" novel that will stay with you after you turn the last page.

The performer was good and captured the right tone for Wang's ages as simple and naive to successful overlord of his lands. There was just a hint of a crusty, aged story teller in his narration that grated a little at times.

Definitely worth a credit.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Warren Smith on 01-17-20

highly recommended

This beautiful story is artfully narrated. listen. I trust you will agree. masterful work here.

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4 out of 5 stars

By Kindle Customer on 02-20-20

Interesting

This is an interesting look at a farms rise from rags to riches and the greed of men to always have more. I found the narrative very well done. Very long for so little learned however.

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5 out of 5 stars

By Ray on 02-23-12

I like Pearl Buck

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator did a fine job. Thanks for making this available.

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4 out of 5 stars

By another know it all on 03-29-20

classic for a reason

this is a good classic story of a man's life and his relationship to various parts of his world. well written, not captivating, but out did hold my interest.

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