The Good Earth

I just finished reading Pearl S. Buck's "The Good Earth" again and was still very captivated by it. Although many of the aspects of life described in the book are very much antiquated even in modern China (e.g., polygamy, arranged marriages, the dynamics of inter-generational relationships), I believe some of the themes still have universal resonance today (fidelity, frugality). I'm sure many readers found parts of the book repulsive, such as the behavior of protagonist Wang Lung. But I think Buck did a good job at creating a character in Wang Lung who is realistic with respect to his time and place, who has his strengths and flaws just like anyone else. My favorite character, however, is Wang Lung's faithful wife O-Lan, who courageously endures more suffering and hardship than anyone else in the book.

I enjoyed the first part of the book the most, up to when O-Lan dies, because Buck takes her time in developing the plot and characters. After O-Lan dies, the book starts to increasingly read like a soap-opera, hurriedly skipping from one story line to another. Overall though, I enjoyed the book for its epic scope and attention to details.

I'm planning to catch the 1937 movie version of this story sometime next week. I just hope I won't be put off by the fact that the lead actors are all caucasian (big surprise). If anyone knows of a more recent remake of this movie, please let me know.