And A House Divided - The Good Earth Trilogy - The Good Earth

I have enjoyed this trilogy immensely, the insight into early China and the characters were powerful and gave the feeling of being there looking on. An extremely gifted author whose books I will follow with interest.

I have thought about reading this book for a long time. I am happy to have read it at last. It is a warm and wonderful story about family values,traditions and loyalty. I found it interesting how each generation evolved and yet experienced many of the same trials and tribulations as the earlier generations. Pearl S. S.Buck was a woman way ahead of her time and certainly worthy of the Pulitzer Prize she received

I have loved this book since the first time I read it ten years ago. It is the span of a families life from their origins. It feels true to many peoples lives with constant ups and downs. It is a wonderful book.

A great historical fiction read giving insight into pre-revolution to revolution China. The lives of different generations of a family and their rise from poverty to wealth as farmers, landowners to war-lord are painted through this saga and the reader becomes immersed. It is with reluctance you finish and so miss the companionship it provided.

I was totally engrossed in this book. I very much enjoy reading about other cultures and countries . I like the Pearl S. Buck writing style and found the story line to be interesting and magnetic. I was hard pressed to put the book down. Very good read.

A 4 star rating because, in my opinion, Pearl S. Buck is a wonderful writer and story teller. She transports me to those mysterious places, people and cultures and helps me understand a world and time besides my own. The world lost a great author with her death.

I was unaware that "The Good Earth" was actually a trilogy until I bought it. It was a wonderful read...seeing how the different generations had different feelings towards the earth. I hope you enjoy it.

The Good Earth should be required reading in high school. Lots of valuable lessons are taught. Not sure that I would recommend reading the rest of the trilogy. The writing gets repetitive and some times boring.

Great Book! I read it a long time ago and found I liked it even better this time around. It gave me a really good understanding on how life used to be in China. The characters are wonderful. A long book, but absolutely worth reading!

Shows how a man and his descendants are shaped for good and bad by changes in fortune. Moral lessons and a fascinating look at another culture in another time, but also a reminder of the strengths and weaknesses human beings share.

Making middle school kid unhappy lol This time honored classic has stood the test of time. The things that we have and allow to go un-noticed are the real gems/ treasures of our lives. If the school doesn't assign these make them read it anyway. Along with ANIMAL FARM, Of MICE AND MEN, and LORD OF THE FLIES. Just because schools today don't assign books anymore, doesn't mean they shouldn't be read by young people. Because all the world is a stage and reading helps us identify our roles :)

I have read these books many times and never tire of them! I always find something new in them. Learning of other cultures is something that I enjoy. Pearl S. Buck really brings the culture to life, both the good and the bad!

I first read this book, as a teenager, and loved it.

at my second reading, I fell in loved it again. After my first reading, I read all of the rest of of Pearl Bucks other books. She is great!!!!

This book is a classic. However, for me, the first two-thirds of the book are excellent, the last third is a boring tale of a shy man who does his best and finally wins the love of his life. My evaluation of this last part of the book is that the author missed many opportunities to end the book and yet if you have not read Pearl Buck, you should do so and judge for yourself.

Thus far I have only read the first book in the trilogy, "The Good Earth." The writing and dialog evinces an understanding of Asian history and culture from an earlier Western age. That said, the understanding reflected adds to the charm and fascination of the book and the story and Buck's writing is some of the richest, most textured and engrossing I have ever read. From the very first passage it was perfectly obvious why these books are considered classics. They are of a quality I find all too rare today.

I was required to read the first volume of this trilogy, The Good Earth, more than a half century ago as a high school student. Rereading as an adult, with the additional two volumes is very fulfilling, and with a broader knowledge of the historical context, it is easier to appreciate the significance of this work.

The Good Earth is my favorite book of all time. In this kindle edition, I get the trilogy in one. I had to remind myself that Wang Lung was an uneducated, destitute farmer with the land his only possession, and then I didn't hate him so much for being a jerk.

Had read the Good Earth in school, many years ago. Seems like my children hadn't even heard of it. I was unaware that it was a triogy and and thought I would read them all. I was not impressed. I got through the 2nd one and gave up. Not worth my time.

I loved all three of these books. Pearl Buck was a master at character development and plot. The books also highlight the struggle of females in China and, I believe, the fact that greed is the basis of all evil.

The three stories of three generations with evolving mores from the turn of the 20th century into the 1940's provides lessons of intergenerational strife that we see even today. Absolutely timeless classic!

I am very happy with the condition and price.
Appreciate having two of the novels that I have not previously read.
Her writings are worth the time, in fact I have to wonder why The Good Earth (or Dragon Seed; like this better) are not read in American high schools. Oh, yes, they aren't PC.

The entire story told in these three books could have been covered in a short story. There are pages and pages where nothing happens, nothing is added that you don't already know.

One of the most boring books I have read in years.

I was a little disappointed with the first book in that I had expected more depth and greatness from a book that earned a Pulitzer. I decided to read the next two in the trilogy and in them I found that the completion of the saga made all three books what they are which is fiction very worthy of the Pulitzer they earned. The books are less expensive purchased together and better read in that way!

I read the first book The Good Earth over 50 years ago. I never knew there was two more books. (When I saw this book on sale, at another book site I had to have it.) I reread the first book, it was as good as I remember. The second and third ones were wonderful, too. It is slow moving, and more then once I wish I could slap a few of the characters. The grandson in the third book was making me crazy. He was like a little boy who wouldn't grow up or take responsibility. He just made excuses for himself all the time. He was the only thing I didn't like in the book. He got a happy ending which I found very wrong. Still I will recommend the series to all loves of past ways.

I read THE GOOD EARTH when I was a teenager, many many moons ago. I only remembered parts of it so I decided to reread. I bought the three connected books.
I love Pearl Buck's style of writing, she is so descriptive, and writes in a style, I think, of books written in the 1940s. Her phrasing is different than any other author I have read. I did find it slowed me down a bit, but I am a fast reader so that did not bother me. I did look some words up in the dictionary, although I did not always find their meanings at the times her works were written. I find her books engrossing and I can always imagine they actually happened. The ideas found are outdated in today's world but I still love Pearl Buck.

I've loved these stories for so many years and read them again and again. There is no way to give less than a five star review to this Pearl Buck saga. Unbelievable tragedy and pain mixed with hope and hard work and very human behavior.

I've read the hard copy of this book (The Good Earth) a few years ago and after joining Kindle Unlimited I decided to read it again, this time as a trilogy. I loved the classic book in high school, and after reading the expanded family saga on Kindle, the struggle from simple farmer to rich landlord and from successful warlord to scholar over three generations, I love the story even more. If you haven't read the The Good Earth yet you should. If you have, consider re-reading it as part of the trilogy. Pearl S. Buck transforms the words on the pages she writes in such a way that totally immerses the reader in the culture and era through her storytelling.

Well, I got on a Pearl Buck jag, first submerging myself in "Imperial Woman" and then "Pavilion of Women", and in the former, felt like I was literally looking at life on a distant planet or alternate universe, and then just had to read "The Good Earth Trilogy", and now I've downloaded "The Mother", "The Living Reed" and two others, so I must be willing to put up with some serious considerations and frustrations with all of her work. So, first the negative. She chronically overwrites and becomes so repetitive, that I would find myself disengaging from the narrative and focusing on the writer instead of the characters, story and even the fascinating worlds they live in.

That being said, she was a master of creating flawed, morally ambiguous characters and ruthlessly, unsparingly honest in evoking greed, social climbing, snobbery and wealth co-existing with a poverty so profound that it has reduced human beings to less than wretched street dogs...generation after generation without end. And in this sense, it has never been a more AMERICAN story than it is now, and we're forced, finally, to take an honest look at the mean spiritedness within ourselves...even those most humanitarian among us.

To sum-up, she is one of the most brilliant, searching, passionate minds I've ever encountered in literature, and one could only wish she'd had a hard-nose editor to rein her in.

If you have never read any of Pearl S. Buck's work, you have missed out on a wonderful look into the Chinese mind and culture. These books are absolutely riveting and hard to put down. I believe the first of the trilogy is the best of the three, the others are good but not as engaging to me as the first. The book gives a look at one family from it's beginnings with a poor farmer to his sons and grandchildren who grew up rich and the effects of money, culture, and the times (1920's to pre WWII). Highly recommended.

I read this Trilogy of The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck as a child. I found that I had forgotten most of it and enjoyed it again. This is a must read for anyone who has never read her books. The story is rich and full of the color and beauty of the time.

A classic that parallels modern day life, at least for me. Along the lines of "The Little Red Hen"...again for me. I found so many similarities regarding my own children's generation and how perseverance, hard work, and success are viewed. 90% are looking for a free ride. Harsh, I know, but true.....again for me. For you too?

It did get a bit lengthy.

This trilogy was everything I did not expect. I became so immersed from the first page on...it took me right to China - both the old and the new. It was so well written and so educational and mind expanding that I will be forever changed having lived this story through her writing. It is one of the very best, if not the best stories I have ever read.

"The Good Earth" was an excellent read and gave the reader an insight into early China and it's customs. "Sons" was just as interesting and brought the reader into the in's and out's of being a wealthy Chinese citizen. An enjoyable read with lots of characters to keep up the readers interest. I recommend them both for must reading if a person is interested in China prior to and during the turn of the century. "A House Divided" was too involved with the thoughts of the main character and lost my interest several times. All in all a good read and I recommend "The Trilogy" to any person interested in China and it's country life in the early days.

I just feel, it's the book to know my grandma whom I never met. My grandma died in 1952. We don't even have one photo of her. I just feel, strangely, my grandma is ou lan.I also watched Dragon seed movies twice. I was all tears. My heart almost stopped beating while watching it.

An epic trilogy about a family, culture, and transitions over three generations. Cultures can be so different yet carry similar threads of the human condition. Pearl Buck is an outstanding writer that transforms the written word into your own personal film page by page about the Chinese culture.

I never knew The Good Earth was part of a trilogy. Now I have read all three books by Pearl S. Buck. I found the first two books very intriguing being an American Chinese. The last book, House Divided was a bit plodding with very long chapters and endless darkness and unfulfilled dreams for the Tiger's son. But I enjoyed reading all three.

AMAZING STORY, I HAD READ THE FIRST BOOK LONG AGO AND THEN READ IT THIS TIME AND INCLUDED THE ENTIRE TRILOGY...I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT FOR THE STORY AND THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. I FELT LIKE I KNEW EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE BOOKS.

I reread "The Good Earth" in high school and revisited it with great enthusiasm. I had never read the sequels. They add a depth to the stories that should not be missed.
I am not going to summarize the books pass some reviews do. Instead I urge readers who are searching for a well-written tale of China as it emerges into a modern world to immerse themselves in Buck's books. They are truly good literature.

Read Pearl Bucks books 60 years or so ago. I am still impressed. What I'm struck with this time around is how she tells her tales in such biblical fashion. And not surprising is we as humans still struggle with the same issues.

I really enjoyed this trilogy of the classic stories written by Pearl S. Buck. I had read The Good Earth when I was in high school, but that was so long ago that it seemed like a new book to me. I like historical novels so this was an ideal book for.me.

When I read the Good Earth in 1968 it turned me into a child who loved reading. For some reason I didn't know that there was a trilogy. Recently I read the whole trilogy and found it wonderful. Pearl S Buck was a genius, her characters well developed and her knowledge and insight into the Chinese culture unparalleled.

First book is awesome, the second and third have their moments, but not nearly as good as the first. The good earth is 5 stars, Sons and A House Divided are both 3 stars. Overall, glad I read the trilogy and Buck's writing style has me interested in reading her more.

These books are a wonderful story that show how different people can think and feel differently and yet how much people are the same no matter where they are from. Pearl S. Buck is a wonderful author!

This is a marvelous book. It is a beautiful look at life in China through several generations. The characters are wonderful and come to life and the writing is lovely. I am reading Pearl S Buck's other books now.

The book is not overwritten or full of useless descriptive words just to fill pages. The book very subtly draws you in and you feel like you are living and seeing the events and people she describes. A great history lesson with plots that involve everything we love, sex, murder, greed, lust, hope, satisfaction and joy. I plan to send for more of her books

That is the center of this story. Pearl Buck explains a lot about Chinese culture to western readers while telling this story. Her knowledge of China makes the book an invaluable introduction to the world in general. But the idea of land ownership could apply to many cultures in today's world. The TV series "Dallas" tells the same story.