In "The Good Earth" Pearl Buck tells the story of a Chinese farmer, Wang Lung, and his wife, O-lan. As they begin their young lives together, they work hard to pull themselves out of a life of poverty and living hand-to-mouth off the land. As hard as they work, floods, famines and wars come along to wipe out the well-earned rewards of their years of labor. Each time this happens, they find a way to survive, and bring their family back to the land that is so precious to Wang Lung.
The Good Earth is an epic, timeless tale with universal themes. At the time it was first published (1931) most Americans thought of China as a mysterious, exotic place filled with a people who practiced savage customs. Pearl Buck, who grew up in China as the daughter of American missionaries was able to portray her Chinese characters in this novel with depth. They have complex motives, personalities, and exhibit desires that were common to most of her American readers. She made China accessible to the West.
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