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Second in the trilogy that began with The Good Earth, Buck's classic and starkly real tale of sons rising against their honored fathers tells of the bitter struggle to the death between the old and the new in China. Revolutions sweep the vast nation, leaving destruction and death in their wake, yet also promising emancipation to China's oppressed millions who are groping for a way to survive in a modern age.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1932
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About the author
Pearl S. Buck
763 books2,994 followersPearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck was an American writer and novelist. She is best known for The Good Earth, the best-selling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932 and which won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938, Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China" and for her "masterpieces", two memoir-biographies of her missionary parents.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 556 reviews
February 26, 2012
After reading The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck I decided to read the second book in the trilogy, Sons. It's a romantic and adventurous novel that gives a better glimpse into Chinese culture and traditions.
After Wang Lung's death his sons reunite and plan their future with his estate. The youngest son, Wang the Tiger, returns from his long journey with an army from the south. As they all secretly plan in their minds what they will do with their money and land Wang the Tiger has no plan for lands or money, he will become a great lord of war. The story takes you through his perilous journey, which includes fighting a great enemy and the tragedy of love. With Buck¿s remarkable descriptions of the beautiful Chinese lands and people, she makes the story even better. What amazed me most about this book was how Pearl Buck brought many real life situations in to a story that seems so unreal.
She writes about love, suicide, and loneliness which are one of life's most difficult situations. All of the characters were unique in their own way. Wang the Tiger was a man of honour yet lived a life of shame toward his father, son, and himself.
I liked the book because of the way it expresses each of the character's feelings. Wang the Tiger is completely different than any of the other characters. In this book Pearl S. Buck demonstrates bthe power of women and the weakness of men in many ways. The war related scenes in the story makes the book seem more realistic and interesting.
I recommend this trilogy to all ages because it is a great way to learn about Chinese culture. I've developed a great respect and interest for the Chinese traditions. This book just helps us understand Chinese culture more. Pearl S. Buck once again creates a fabulous tale of love, tragedy, and war. Sons is a true page-turner and not only is it an amazing book, but it is a classic.
After Wang Lung's death his sons reunite and plan their future with his estate. The youngest son, Wang the Tiger, returns from his long journey with an army from the south. As they all secretly plan in their minds what they will do with their money and land Wang the Tiger has no plan for lands or money, he will become a great lord of war. The story takes you through his perilous journey, which includes fighting a great enemy and the tragedy of love. With Buck¿s remarkable descriptions of the beautiful Chinese lands and people, she makes the story even better. What amazed me most about this book was how Pearl Buck brought many real life situations in to a story that seems so unreal.
She writes about love, suicide, and loneliness which are one of life's most difficult situations. All of the characters were unique in their own way. Wang the Tiger was a man of honour yet lived a life of shame toward his father, son, and himself.
I liked the book because of the way it expresses each of the character's feelings. Wang the Tiger is completely different than any of the other characters. In this book Pearl S. Buck demonstrates bthe power of women and the weakness of men in many ways. The war related scenes in the story makes the book seem more realistic and interesting.
I recommend this trilogy to all ages because it is a great way to learn about Chinese culture. I've developed a great respect and interest for the Chinese traditions. This book just helps us understand Chinese culture more. Pearl S. Buck once again creates a fabulous tale of love, tragedy, and war. Sons is a true page-turner and not only is it an amazing book, but it is a classic.
September 3, 2018
Sons
, published in 1931, is the second book in The House of Earth trilogy by
Pearl S. Buck
. Almost everybody has heard of the first book in the trilogy,
The Good Earth
, probably because it was the best-selling novel in the United States in both 1931 and 1932 , and was an influential factor in Buck's winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938. But today the rest of the trilogy has been largely forgotten.
The first book in the series was the story of a Chinese farmer working his way from poor peasant to wealthy landlord. This second book, Sons, is the story of his sons and how they handle their father’s estate after his death. The narrative of Sons largely follows the life of the youngest son who had left the family in the first book to join a warlord’s army, and in this book he becomes a warlord ruling a region that neighbors the district where his brothers live. The combination of military power and nearby family wealth is mutually beneficial for both sides of the family.
The book portrays a China with a traditional government in the north and revolutionary forces in the south, and the armies of these two forces allying as required with the various warlords that control the rest of the country. This roughly fits the description of China during the 1920s and early 1930s, but it is vague about specific time and place in history.
There are some indications that some of the onerous traditions such as foot binding that were part of the first book are falling away in this book. For example some of the young people are insisting on marrying partners of their own choosing rather than accepting arranged marriages. But the story in this book is set in an isolated rural part of China, and these sort of changes are the exception.
At the end of the book we learn that the son of the warlord protagonist has joined with the revolution which technically is opposed to his father’s cause. This revolution claims to be fighting for the interest of “the people” which strikes our warlord as a strange concept. This is an obvious set up for the next book in the series, A House Divided .
The following is a link to my review of the first book in the trilogy, The Good Earth.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The following is a link to my review of the third book in the trilogy, A House Divided.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The first book in the series was the story of a Chinese farmer working his way from poor peasant to wealthy landlord. This second book, Sons, is the story of his sons and how they handle their father’s estate after his death. The narrative of Sons largely follows the life of the youngest son who had left the family in the first book to join a warlord’s army, and in this book he becomes a warlord ruling a region that neighbors the district where his brothers live. The combination of military power and nearby family wealth is mutually beneficial for both sides of the family.
The book portrays a China with a traditional government in the north and revolutionary forces in the south, and the armies of these two forces allying as required with the various warlords that control the rest of the country. This roughly fits the description of China during the 1920s and early 1930s, but it is vague about specific time and place in history.
There are some indications that some of the onerous traditions such as foot binding that were part of the first book are falling away in this book. For example some of the young people are insisting on marrying partners of their own choosing rather than accepting arranged marriages. But the story in this book is set in an isolated rural part of China, and these sort of changes are the exception.
At the end of the book we learn that the son of the warlord protagonist has joined with the revolution which technically is opposed to his father’s cause. This revolution claims to be fighting for the interest of “the people” which strikes our warlord as a strange concept. This is an obvious set up for the next book in the series, A House Divided .
The following is a link to my review of the first book in the trilogy, The Good Earth.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The following is a link to my review of the third book in the trilogy, A House Divided.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 31, 2017
I don't know what else to say here besides things happened to people and I wanted to take a nap. Also for those who download this via Kindle, never fear, book #2 is not as long as you think. I got to 60 percent and book #2 was done. The remaining 40 percent was a preview (a really long one) of the final third book in this series.
I really wish I had DNFed this book. I am going to start reclaiming my time and just kicking a book immediately after I am not feeling it. I honestly have not wanted to read a thing since some of the books on my currently reading list have not moved me at all. Hoping that I get in a better mindset later and can just finish some more books soon.
"Sons" the second book in the House of Earth series follows the sons of Wang Lung, called Wang Lung the Landlord, Wang Lung the Merchant and Wang the Tiger. The book focuses mostly on Wang the Tiger with Buck popping up now and again into the eldest and second's son's businesses with some minor appearances by Pearl Blossom.
I didn't get a good grasp on any character in this second book. Unlike with the first book, the women in this one are paper thin instead of being realized as their own characters. Wang the Tiger's first wife may have been interesting to follow, but Buck quickly dispatches with her with the quickness.
This second book is like night and day from the first book. All of the characters were underdeveloped and the writing was not good. I would say that this book is 100 percent filler since I think that Buck wants to focus on what happens to this family in book #3. I also wish that Buck had stuck a time period in this series since I can't tell where we are in China's history.
I really wish I had DNFed this book. I am going to start reclaiming my time and just kicking a book immediately after I am not feeling it. I honestly have not wanted to read a thing since some of the books on my currently reading list have not moved me at all. Hoping that I get in a better mindset later and can just finish some more books soon.
"Sons" the second book in the House of Earth series follows the sons of Wang Lung, called Wang Lung the Landlord, Wang Lung the Merchant and Wang the Tiger. The book focuses mostly on Wang the Tiger with Buck popping up now and again into the eldest and second's son's businesses with some minor appearances by Pearl Blossom.
I didn't get a good grasp on any character in this second book. Unlike with the first book, the women in this one are paper thin instead of being realized as their own characters. Wang the Tiger's first wife may have been interesting to follow, but Buck quickly dispatches with her with the quickness.
This second book is like night and day from the first book. All of the characters were underdeveloped and the writing was not good. I would say that this book is 100 percent filler since I think that Buck wants to focus on what happens to this family in book #3. I also wish that Buck had stuck a time period in this series since I can't tell where we are in China's history.
September 24, 2024
Sons, the second book in the House of Earth Trilogy by Pearl Buck begins where The Good Earth left off with the impending death of Wang Lung and the preparations for his death as well as the ceremonies to lay him to rest. In Sons we see how the three sons of Wang Lung handle his estate after his death, each with different goals and lifestyles finding themselves drawn together in unusual ways. Wang the Eldest, also known as Wang the Landlord, and Wang the Second, also known as Wang the Merchant are confronted by Wang the Third or Wang the Tiger, to give him his inheritance in silver in order to break away from the warlord and set himself up with his own army. This is a time of a lot of unrest and chaos in China with growing power struggles between the Chinese ruler and local warlords, some of whom want to depose him. But the overlying theme of the book was with the sweeping revolution through China, Wang Lung never anticipated that his sons would not value the agricultural land that he had amassed during his lifetime. It is a depiction of clashes between old and new generations. It is a compelling novel and with the beautiful writing we have come to associate with Pearl S. Buck. So now I am looking forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, A House Divided.
“We on the land are at the mercy of heaven always, and if you cannot share the risk you must take the land again as security.”
“For the first time he forgave his father wholly for certain deep angers he had against him as a youth. Nor did he know he forgave. He only knew that some bitterness left in him since his angry boyhood slipped out of him and was blown away as though on a healthy wind, and he was peaceful with himself, at last.”
June 12, 2018
Wang the Elder dies. His three sons inherit his wealth which fund their various sins - sloth and gluttony (Wang the Landlord), greed and avarice (Wang the Merchant) and power (Wang the Tiger). All three are disappointed in their sons and rarely recognise the talents of their wives and daughters. Even though each achieves their goals no one seems happy.
It's hard to believe this is not written by a Chinese author such is the language, customs and empathy shown.
Living in Northern China the three brothers appear to be ignorant of the peasant stirrings in the South. So to Book 3 and revolution.
It's hard to believe this is not written by a Chinese author such is the language, customs and empathy shown.
Living in Northern China the three brothers appear to be ignorant of the peasant stirrings in the South. So to Book 3 and revolution.
September 23, 2019
After reading The Good Earth, it is hard to imagine a more worthwhile reading experience.
Pearl S. Buck, like John Steinbeck, knows how to combine characters, setting, and strong themes with great pacing and balanced prose... usually.
Editing a book is like creating a katana, I think. To create these masterful Japanese swords the blacksmith folds the metal many times, working out the impurities to strengthen its edge. A lot of writers edit a book in a similar manner, going through time after time to remove and distill their ideas down into a finely crafted weapon of storytelling. What can make a sequel feel dull is the lack of such honing down. “Sons” suffers from this, even if some of the pure delights of the first book are still perceptible in bits and pieces here.
Though the page count would lead you to believe otherwise, Sons feels long. Interesting characters and cultural exploration are to be expected, as are the continuations of the original story's plot. Much of the book does feel unnecessary in my opinion, and there are fewer shocks and a lot less awe, because we have visited this setting before, and in the first book it was mesmerizing. The Good Earth was a truly great work in my mind, and I can't help comparing the sequel to it.
In Sons, more than in the first part, characters spend a lot of time, grumbling and being indecisive.
The characters are all flawed, as we know but they should not be incompetent or impotent. Ms. Buck's fascinating look into Chinese culture and traditions, drawn from life as it is, feels forced without new and refreshing themes to carry us along. The story is looser than in the first installment. Instead of a laser focus on the life of Wang Lung and his rise through his appreciation of the earth, in Sons there is a listlessness pervading the narrative. We get to see what his sons do but their selfish agendas don't possess the same grandeur as the heartbreaking struggle of his youth.
The reader might expect Wang Lung’s sons to lack the same appreciation that made their father wise and successful, and to suffer as a consequence. Thankfully, there are still some excellent nods to “The Good Earth” that will make any fan smile. Whether its how the Tea House from the first book is used as a symbol of how little Wang Lung’s children understand their father and how his lessons are completely ignored. Pearl S. Buck also follows through on her promise from the prior book regarding how the wealthy house of Hwang fell and shows us how Wang’s house is decaying through the same cycle. But even these well-penned continuations are diminished when they come few and far between in a book without much as much substance to offer. If this book had been edited down it could have been nearly as riveted as the first. Knowing that there is a third in the series, I wonder if the second and third might have been combined and condensed to possibly equal the first.
The cyclical nature of life is a theme in this book and is an echo from the first. From how Wang the Third went off to be a rebel and his son follows suite, to how Wang the First’s life of idleness is passed to his sons, the cycle of father to son is an inescapable dilemma. But the theme is weakened by a lack of focus and takes far too long to mature. It is not until the very end of the book that we start to see impact and there is too little sustaining my attention by that point. Even the idea of the importance of land which was the heart of the first book fell flat for me. Though it tries to weave itself with the idea of cycle and legacy there is too much noise for it to bloom.
There are good elements in “Sons” but nearly everything significant is diluted with unnecessary length and exposition. It is hard to say if the writing is good as the individual sentences are tight, but the overall feel leaves something to be desired. If you like books that explore other cultures or times look no further than The Good Earth. A cursory look at the Nobel Prize winning author's massive body of work will show that she spent a lifetime writing about China, Japan, Korea, and other cultures. The Chinese traditions in her trilogy are fascinating and it's interesting to see how they effect people’s lives. However I think what the first book displays is enough to satisfy most peoples' curiosities. The unfortunate truth the last line of “The Good Earth” did a better job of examining Wang’s sons then this entire book. One day I might tackle the third, but I think I would rather start looking into Bucks' other fictions first.
Pearl S. Buck, like John Steinbeck, knows how to combine characters, setting, and strong themes with great pacing and balanced prose... usually.
Editing a book is like creating a katana, I think. To create these masterful Japanese swords the blacksmith folds the metal many times, working out the impurities to strengthen its edge. A lot of writers edit a book in a similar manner, going through time after time to remove and distill their ideas down into a finely crafted weapon of storytelling. What can make a sequel feel dull is the lack of such honing down. “Sons” suffers from this, even if some of the pure delights of the first book are still perceptible in bits and pieces here.
Though the page count would lead you to believe otherwise, Sons feels long. Interesting characters and cultural exploration are to be expected, as are the continuations of the original story's plot. Much of the book does feel unnecessary in my opinion, and there are fewer shocks and a lot less awe, because we have visited this setting before, and in the first book it was mesmerizing. The Good Earth was a truly great work in my mind, and I can't help comparing the sequel to it.
In Sons, more than in the first part, characters spend a lot of time, grumbling and being indecisive.
The characters are all flawed, as we know but they should not be incompetent or impotent. Ms. Buck's fascinating look into Chinese culture and traditions, drawn from life as it is, feels forced without new and refreshing themes to carry us along. The story is looser than in the first installment. Instead of a laser focus on the life of Wang Lung and his rise through his appreciation of the earth, in Sons there is a listlessness pervading the narrative. We get to see what his sons do but their selfish agendas don't possess the same grandeur as the heartbreaking struggle of his youth.
The reader might expect Wang Lung’s sons to lack the same appreciation that made their father wise and successful, and to suffer as a consequence. Thankfully, there are still some excellent nods to “The Good Earth” that will make any fan smile. Whether its how the Tea House from the first book is used as a symbol of how little Wang Lung’s children understand their father and how his lessons are completely ignored. Pearl S. Buck also follows through on her promise from the prior book regarding how the wealthy house of Hwang fell and shows us how Wang’s house is decaying through the same cycle. But even these well-penned continuations are diminished when they come few and far between in a book without much as much substance to offer. If this book had been edited down it could have been nearly as riveted as the first. Knowing that there is a third in the series, I wonder if the second and third might have been combined and condensed to possibly equal the first.
The cyclical nature of life is a theme in this book and is an echo from the first. From how Wang the Third went off to be a rebel and his son follows suite, to how Wang the First’s life of idleness is passed to his sons, the cycle of father to son is an inescapable dilemma. But the theme is weakened by a lack of focus and takes far too long to mature. It is not until the very end of the book that we start to see impact and there is too little sustaining my attention by that point. Even the idea of the importance of land which was the heart of the first book fell flat for me. Though it tries to weave itself with the idea of cycle and legacy there is too much noise for it to bloom.
There are good elements in “Sons” but nearly everything significant is diluted with unnecessary length and exposition. It is hard to say if the writing is good as the individual sentences are tight, but the overall feel leaves something to be desired. If you like books that explore other cultures or times look no further than The Good Earth. A cursory look at the Nobel Prize winning author's massive body of work will show that she spent a lifetime writing about China, Japan, Korea, and other cultures. The Chinese traditions in her trilogy are fascinating and it's interesting to see how they effect people’s lives. However I think what the first book displays is enough to satisfy most peoples' curiosities. The unfortunate truth the last line of “The Good Earth” did a better job of examining Wang’s sons then this entire book. One day I might tackle the third, but I think I would rather start looking into Bucks' other fictions first.
February 24, 2017
It's funny how a book grows in your mind long after you've read it. Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" was that kind of experience for me. At the time I first read it, I had no idea it was part of a trilogy, much less a Pulitzer Prize winning trilogy. And when I found out, I hurried off to find the next installment, "Sons", Book 2 in the House of Earth series. Did I really only give "The Good Earth" 3 stars? I upped to to four.
This book, like the initial installment, is working on many different levels. We continue to see the House of Wang disintegrate into the House of Hwang's twin - though the House of Hwang is never mentioned in book 2, the comparisons continue to be drawn as one by one the Wang's embrace and repeat the transgressions of the Hwang's before them.
Generational ties, as indicated by the title of "Sons" are examined more thoroughly as the sons of Wang Lung come into their own following his death. Once again, a woman is the tragic vanguard of tradition, decency and Wang Lung's memory. This time it is Pear Blossom who serves him so well, as all his offspring run their own ways. The book works through the prime of all the sons, and ends as the grandsons of Wang Lung are emerging.
The text contains numerous insights into Chinese culture and tradition, as well as the tensions prevalent in the warlord period between the old and new ways. By the end of the book, it is clear the ground is being prepared for the Communist conflict, and I look forward to the final installment. Since I have upped the first book to 4 stars and this one, being the middle of a trilogy, is not QUITE as good, 3 stars.
A House Divided (House of Earth #3), Buck, 1935
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This book, like the initial installment, is working on many different levels. We continue to see the House of Wang disintegrate into the House of Hwang's twin - though the House of Hwang is never mentioned in book 2, the comparisons continue to be drawn as one by one the Wang's embrace and repeat the transgressions of the Hwang's before them.
Generational ties, as indicated by the title of "Sons" are examined more thoroughly as the sons of Wang Lung come into their own following his death. Once again, a woman is the tragic vanguard of tradition, decency and Wang Lung's memory. This time it is Pear Blossom who serves him so well, as all his offspring run their own ways. The book works through the prime of all the sons, and ends as the grandsons of Wang Lung are emerging.
The text contains numerous insights into Chinese culture and tradition, as well as the tensions prevalent in the warlord period between the old and new ways. By the end of the book, it is clear the ground is being prepared for the Communist conflict, and I look forward to the final installment. Since I have upped the first book to 4 stars and this one, being the middle of a trilogy, is not QUITE as good, 3 stars.
A House Divided (House of Earth #3), Buck, 1935
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 19, 2023
Started this as soon as I got it from the library, but like The Good Earth, its prequel, it is a depressing look at humanity. I had to set it down for a time.
But I picked it back up and it got better though it is never a happy story. It seems to be about people whose lives are literally ships passing in the night. They are unknown to each other, have no desire to know or understand the other and blatantly use each other. As the reader, we watch this tragedy of hatred unfold. I have never understood that emotion, or is it a vice, so well as I do now.
The one redeeming feature of the book is the ending. It focused the whole story and gave it meaning. But if read without the rest of the book would not be appreciated.
It is worthwhile to read this book, but not easy. 5 stars for writing, 1.5 for enjoyment and 3 overall.
But I picked it back up and it got better though it is never a happy story. It seems to be about people whose lives are literally ships passing in the night. They are unknown to each other, have no desire to know or understand the other and blatantly use each other. As the reader, we watch this tragedy of hatred unfold. I have never understood that emotion, or is it a vice, so well as I do now.
The one redeeming feature of the book is the ending. It focused the whole story and gave it meaning. But if read without the rest of the book would not be appreciated.
It is worthwhile to read this book, but not easy. 5 stars for writing, 1.5 for enjoyment and 3 overall.
May 19, 2012
wow. This writing is luminous. I felt the same heartstrings, the complexity of family dynamics and character development. Then I worried. "How the hell is Pearl going to pull this together for an ending. Surely it will be a let down."
Pearl had talent galore. And quite the attention to detail to not disappoint all of us whom have loved THE GOOD EARTH. She did not write her way into a corner or take the easy road out. Another, WOW, powerful ending...and in her style...right through to the last word. Loved it.
Now onto more mundane. ha. Not really, but ORANGE: The New Black is completely 180 degrees away from this. I think.
Pearl had talent galore. And quite the attention to detail to not disappoint all of us whom have loved THE GOOD EARTH. She did not write her way into a corner or take the easy road out. Another, WOW, powerful ending...and in her style...right through to the last word. Loved it.
Now onto more mundane. ha. Not really, but ORANGE: The New Black is completely 180 degrees away from this. I think.
May 22, 2022
Seconda generazione della famiglia Wang. Il romanzo si apre con la morte di Wang Lung, il contadino cinese protagonista de La buona terra e capostipite della famiglia, e con l'inizio dello sfaldamento della stessa a causa della vendita delle terre accumulate a così duro prezzo da Wang Lung.
I tre figli maschi - Wang il Padrone, Wang Secondo (detto il Mercante) e Wang La Tigre (che qui diventa un feroce Signore della guerra) - non hanno alcun interesse per la terra e la vendono pian piano per finanziare il terzogenito, che ha grandissime ambizioni e tanta ferocia. Ho seguito la sua evoluzione con grande interesse, perché, avendo già letto il terzo libro della trilogia, La famiglia dispersa, sapevo che suo figlio Wang Yuan sarebbe stato il protagonista del capitolo conclusivo della serie.
Fin da bambino, Yuan (mai chiamato per nome, perché non rientrava nella tradizione) non si mostra interessato alla guerra - come desidererebbe il padre, che lo vede già come erede del suo esercito - e prova un grande richiamo per la terra (che sembra dunque aver saltato una generazione). Yuan, che rappresenterà il cambiamento nella società cinese negli anni che precedono la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, all'alba della rivoluzione comunista cinese.
I tre figli maschi - Wang il Padrone, Wang Secondo (detto il Mercante) e Wang La Tigre (che qui diventa un feroce Signore della guerra) - non hanno alcun interesse per la terra e la vendono pian piano per finanziare il terzogenito, che ha grandissime ambizioni e tanta ferocia. Ho seguito la sua evoluzione con grande interesse, perché, avendo già letto il terzo libro della trilogia, La famiglia dispersa, sapevo che suo figlio Wang Yuan sarebbe stato il protagonista del capitolo conclusivo della serie.
Fin da bambino, Yuan (mai chiamato per nome, perché non rientrava nella tradizione) non si mostra interessato alla guerra - come desidererebbe il padre, che lo vede già come erede del suo esercito - e prova un grande richiamo per la terra (che sembra dunque aver saltato una generazione). Yuan, che rappresenterà il cambiamento nella società cinese negli anni che precedono la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, all'alba della rivoluzione comunista cinese.
January 22, 2019
Quattro e mezza..
Ulteriore bel libro questo, che come da titolo racconta delle vicende dei figli di Wang Lung, uomo umile e attaccato alla sua terra. Il primo, Wang, Il Padrone, che non farà tesoro degli insegnamenti del padre, dandosi a una vita di agi, sperperando quando lasciato in eredità dal padre. Il secondo, Wang, Il Mercante, uomo accorto, tirchio ma che per lo meno porterà avanti l'insegnamento del padre. Poi c'è Wang, La Tigre, che sceglierà una vita totalmente diversa, andrà a fare il guerriero, placando la sua sete di conquista, essendosi sempre sentito diverso dal padre.
Nel libro vengono prevalentemente raccontate le vicende di quest'ultimo, tra guerre, saccheggi, tra essere rispettato dai suoi soldati, facendo a tratti vedere anche il suo lato migliore, stando dalla parte dei più deboli.
Avrà un figlio maschio, su cui riporrà tutte le sue ambizioni ma che purtroppo, come spesso accade, alla fine farà scelte che lasceranno Wang, La Tigre senza parole, ma che faranno pace con il passato. Stupendo! Assolutamente non inferiore alla "Buona Terra", anzi degna continuazione.
Merita di essere menzionata questa donna, Fior di Pero, la concubina di Wang Lung, la sua seconda moglie. Tenera, fedele, umile, silenziosa, amorevole.
Piccola nota negativa, un tantino lungo il tratto centrale, qualche battaglia in meno e la narrazione, sicuramente, non ne avrebbe risentito.
Ora non mi resta che approcciarmi al terzo e ultimo capitolo di questa trilogia.
Ulteriore bel libro questo, che come da titolo racconta delle vicende dei figli di Wang Lung, uomo umile e attaccato alla sua terra. Il primo, Wang, Il Padrone, che non farà tesoro degli insegnamenti del padre, dandosi a una vita di agi, sperperando quando lasciato in eredità dal padre. Il secondo, Wang, Il Mercante, uomo accorto, tirchio ma che per lo meno porterà avanti l'insegnamento del padre. Poi c'è Wang, La Tigre, che sceglierà una vita totalmente diversa, andrà a fare il guerriero, placando la sua sete di conquista, essendosi sempre sentito diverso dal padre.
Nel libro vengono prevalentemente raccontate le vicende di quest'ultimo, tra guerre, saccheggi, tra essere rispettato dai suoi soldati, facendo a tratti vedere anche il suo lato migliore, stando dalla parte dei più deboli.
Avrà un figlio maschio, su cui riporrà tutte le sue ambizioni ma che purtroppo, come spesso accade, alla fine farà scelte che lasceranno Wang, La Tigre senza parole, ma che faranno pace con il passato. Stupendo! Assolutamente non inferiore alla "Buona Terra", anzi degna continuazione.
Merita di essere menzionata questa donna, Fior di Pero, la concubina di Wang Lung, la sua seconda moglie. Tenera, fedele, umile, silenziosa, amorevole.
Piccola nota negativa, un tantino lungo il tratto centrale, qualche battaglia in meno e la narrazione, sicuramente, non ne avrebbe risentito.
Ora non mi resta che approcciarmi al terzo e ultimo capitolo di questa trilogia.
December 21, 2012
This is a sequel to Pearl Buck's most famous book, The Good Earth, following the lives of Wang Lung's three sons for about 30 to 40 years, after the father's death. None of the sons wants to work the land that their father prized so highly, and all are eager to sell some or all of that land, in spite of their promises. The eldest son loves a life of complete idleness and luxury and raises his own sons in that same lifestyle. The second son is a hard-working but fairly greedy merchant, who want money to expand his business. The third son, who has been away from home for 10 years at the time of his father's death, has become a soldier and dreams of using his father's fortune to gather an army of his own, conquer a town or province, and become a war lord. This son even dreams of ruling the whole of China, during the period of political instability and wars between the war lords in the south and the war lords in the north.
I loved the Good Earth but found this sequel to be too melancholy for my taste. I enjoyed the book for its depiction of China before the rise of the common people's revolution and for its portrait of the Chinese people, especially the common people who worked the land. The sections of the book that follow the third son, Wang the Tiger, and his own son are the most interesting. This petty war lord never quite escapes his father's influence, which reaches from beyond the grave to remind him of his family's connection to the land.
One quote from this section stands out, when The Tiger's son tells his father that he is not interested in becoming a soldier but in becoming a farmer: "He felt an old, known helplessness come creeping over him again. It was the same sick helplessness he had been used to feel in the days of his youth, when the earthen house was his gaol. Once more his father, that old man in the land, reached out and laid his earthy hand upon his son."
At the end of this novel, the revolution is just beginning in China. Even the author, Pearl Buck, did not see at the time where that revolution would lead. Looking back to the time before those events is fascinating. We wonder how much of the old Chinese culture remains, much as it did for Wang the Tiger, despite his efforts to escape.
I loved the Good Earth but found this sequel to be too melancholy for my taste. I enjoyed the book for its depiction of China before the rise of the common people's revolution and for its portrait of the Chinese people, especially the common people who worked the land. The sections of the book that follow the third son, Wang the Tiger, and his own son are the most interesting. This petty war lord never quite escapes his father's influence, which reaches from beyond the grave to remind him of his family's connection to the land.
One quote from this section stands out, when The Tiger's son tells his father that he is not interested in becoming a soldier but in becoming a farmer: "He felt an old, known helplessness come creeping over him again. It was the same sick helplessness he had been used to feel in the days of his youth, when the earthen house was his gaol. Once more his father, that old man in the land, reached out and laid his earthy hand upon his son."
At the end of this novel, the revolution is just beginning in China. Even the author, Pearl Buck, did not see at the time where that revolution would lead. Looking back to the time before those events is fascinating. We wonder how much of the old Chinese culture remains, much as it did for Wang the Tiger, despite his efforts to escape.
August 14, 2016
I am so torn by this book, it started out wonderful and very interesting until Wang the Tiger took over and all his war-lord exploits. A big yawn for me, let me tell you I started out listening to the audio version and I switched over to the Kindle version, it helped but my interest level waned. I enjoyed several parts of the book, little tiny snippets of human interaction that kept me going. It was the last section perhaps 10% that totally pulled my attention back into its proper place. It confounds me to no end that now I want to continue on to the 3rd book in the series, how crazy is that? The very last part seemed to speak more Pearl S. Buck than the entire book! I love her writing and I wished that she intertwined the war-lord, military part of the book with the human interaction and character study that she is well known for. I have read Imperial Woman which is one of my favorites of this author and as much as I detest politics, it was beautifully written and properly mixed with what I admire in her work. I can't recommend this book though I would recommend the first of the trilogy which is The Good Earth and who knows I might continue onto A House Divided but not right now, I need a much needed breather!
October 27, 2019
Back before Nixon went to China a person could pass as a China expert if they could speak archly about Who lost China? If they watched any of several mostly silly movies about the American Woman leading Chinese orphans somewhere. I am positive there were at least 3 of these. Or you could read Pearl S. Buck’s Nobel Prize winning The Good Earth. Later we might remember that China was the country with hoards of poorly lead warriors who charged into our guns in Korea.
So influential was Buck’s book many of us had no idea she wrote many and that the Good Earth was part of a Trilogy. OK so maybe that was just me. I have now read several of her works including, Sons, Book 2 od the Earth Trilogy.
Sons about wore me out. We meet the three sons of the aged and dying Wang Lung. Assuming his wealth and status are his 3 sons, Wang the Landlord, the pleasure loving lazy first son, Wang the Merchant the plain living money scrounger and Wang the Tiger the future war lord.
The older brothers are married, so some women none of whom are particularly important to the plot . Except to remind us that the male dominated, traditional Chinese family was a mostly un guided household of people who found their way or did not. Mostly the paternal leader waited until some arbitrary point to take an interest in something in his household not himself.
The youngest some slowly takes over the narrative as he at least is doing dramatic things. He is relative to his time and type a kindly up and coming war lord. He is ruthless and clever, but is willing to pay for his what his troops need and refuses them freedom to plunder the peasantry.
Eventually he has a son and the narrative will turn to him.
Buck makes it clear from early on this is unlikely to end with Happily Ever After. In fact, what would be happy for these mostly rudderless people following traditions to no particular purpose is a major point of the writer.
At some point in this overly mannered novel I felt weighted down. It may have been built on traditional Chinese storytelling, but that aspect is not announced anywhere in this edition. Worse there seems to be a formulaic, almost pigeon English based no doubt on how people of this culture tended to think or write, but it slows things down and is mostly repetitious. The literary equivalent of fake Chinese Sing Song in the cheaper movies, only written out.
At this book’s abrupt, cliff hanger ending I was going to stop, but my Kindle copy includes almost all of book 3 so I finished this extensive sample then read on to the end of book 3.s Things there got a little better.
So influential was Buck’s book many of us had no idea she wrote many and that the Good Earth was part of a Trilogy. OK so maybe that was just me. I have now read several of her works including, Sons, Book 2 od the Earth Trilogy.
Sons about wore me out. We meet the three sons of the aged and dying Wang Lung. Assuming his wealth and status are his 3 sons, Wang the Landlord, the pleasure loving lazy first son, Wang the Merchant the plain living money scrounger and Wang the Tiger the future war lord.
The older brothers are married, so some women none of whom are particularly important to the plot . Except to remind us that the male dominated, traditional Chinese family was a mostly un guided household of people who found their way or did not. Mostly the paternal leader waited until some arbitrary point to take an interest in something in his household not himself.
The youngest some slowly takes over the narrative as he at least is doing dramatic things. He is relative to his time and type a kindly up and coming war lord. He is ruthless and clever, but is willing to pay for his what his troops need and refuses them freedom to plunder the peasantry.
Eventually he has a son and the narrative will turn to him.
Buck makes it clear from early on this is unlikely to end with Happily Ever After. In fact, what would be happy for these mostly rudderless people following traditions to no particular purpose is a major point of the writer.
At some point in this overly mannered novel I felt weighted down. It may have been built on traditional Chinese storytelling, but that aspect is not announced anywhere in this edition. Worse there seems to be a formulaic, almost pigeon English based no doubt on how people of this culture tended to think or write, but it slows things down and is mostly repetitious. The literary equivalent of fake Chinese Sing Song in the cheaper movies, only written out.
At this book’s abrupt, cliff hanger ending I was going to stop, but my Kindle copy includes almost all of book 3 so I finished this extensive sample then read on to the end of book 3.s Things there got a little better.
August 11, 2016
This second in Pearl Buck's "The Good Earth" trilogy was not nearly as captivating as the first. The story centered around Wang the Tiger, an angry, fierce warlord. His complicated character did keep me interested and rapidly reading, but I hoped he would have ended up with a little more redeeming of a character than he did.
I enjoy Buck's illustrations of her characters but sometimes they seem too much that way... characters instead of people: the fat, lazy landlord, the tight-fisted merchant, the fierce warlord, etc.
I am devouring DVDs and books about China to help give me a background for my trip there in April. This trilogy has given me a flavor of the daily lives of farmers, landlords, merchants, warlords and the impending revolution, spun through the stories of one family.
I am definitely going to read the third, "A House Divided" right away!
I enjoy Buck's illustrations of her characters but sometimes they seem too much that way... characters instead of people: the fat, lazy landlord, the tight-fisted merchant, the fierce warlord, etc.
I am devouring DVDs and books about China to help give me a background for my trip there in April. This trilogy has given me a flavor of the daily lives of farmers, landlords, merchants, warlords and the impending revolution, spun through the stories of one family.
I am definitely going to read the third, "A House Divided" right away!
June 28, 2016
The second volume in "The Good Earth" trilogy continues the story of Wang Lung and his three sons. Following the story to the next generation, it is less compelling than the story of the patriarch, the lives of the sons are not so interesting, as that of the father. This book didn't have the same eye-opening effect on me that the first one did. However, it's still a great book with good writing, and offers beautiful view of ancient Chinese culture. I look forward to reading the last book in the trilogy.
July 16, 2021
This is a book from 1932 rendered in the audible version in 2010. It is hard to tell in listening to the book when the story was actually happening. The travel is by horse and foot and the weapons are sword and knife.
The story is in a time and place when women were not respected, When marriages were arranged and when men followed in the career of their fathers. But the times were beginning to change as we see in the background of the story and in the not really surprising conclusion.
The fact that the story seemingly is of another time takes away a good deal of the potential power in the telling of this family and the life it leads in the person of three brothers.
The story is in a time and place when women were not respected, When marriages were arranged and when men followed in the career of their fathers. But the times were beginning to change as we see in the background of the story and in the not really surprising conclusion.
The fact that the story seemingly is of another time takes away a good deal of the potential power in the telling of this family and the life it leads in the person of three brothers.
July 16, 2020
The Good Earth is a riveting story of rags to riches; the sequel Sons is the opposite of riveting. Its short 200-odd pages are tedious and repetitive, seeming to widen interminably the more I read. The only interesting character was Wang Lung's concubine Pear Blossom, but oh no, let's deprive the reader of any pleasure and only mention her in passing. Instead let's bore you senseless with Wang the Tiger, the silliest buffoon north of the Yangztse River. Chinese torture indeed. I will not bother reading Part 3 of the series.
December 14, 2014
গুড আর্থের পরবর্তী বই সানস। সেই যে ওয়াং লাং, যে পানিও মেপে ব্যবহার করা মত গরীব চাষি ছিল, ভাগ্য এবং পরিশ্রমের জোরে প্রচুর জমি এবং ধন-সম্পদের মালিক হয়েছিল, সেই ওয়াং লাং কে বৃদ্ধ অবস্থায় রেখে শেষ হয়েছিল গুড আর্থ। যে মাটি ফসল ফলায়, যে মাটি মনের রোগ সাড়ায় সেই মাটি নিয়ে গল্প ছিল গুড আর্থের। মাটির গল্প আর মাটিকে ভালবাসা মাটির মানুষ ওয়াং-লাং এর গল্প। গুড আর্থের পুরোটা জুড়ে ছিল মাটির গন্ধ। কিন্তু ‘সানস’ মাটির গল্প নয়। এ গল্প ওয়াং লাং এর ছেলেদের। এ গল্পে মাটির গন্ধ নেই। আছে বারুদের গন্ধ, আছে রক্তের গন্ধ, আর আছে বস্তায় বস্তায় রূপোর টাকার গন্ধ।
গন্ধ বদলালেও বদলায়নি লেখিকার লেখনী। বাপরে... চরিত্রগুলোর অনুভূতির ছোট ছোট ওঠানামা কিভাবে লিখেছেন উনিই জানেন। লম্বা উপন্যাস পড়তে গেলে আমি সাধারণত একটা বিড়ম্বনার পড়ি। আমি জানতে ইচ্ছা করে কোনো একটা চরিত্র কি অবস্থায় আছে, কোনোটা ঘটনা কতটুকু এগুলো, কিন্তু লেখক বলতে থাকেন অন্য একটা চরিত্রের কথা, অন্য একটা ঘটনার কথা। কিন্তু পার্ল এস বাকের সাথে কোথায় যেন আমি একটা মনের মিল পেলাম। আমি যখন যার কথা জানতে চাই, উনি তখনই তার কথা বলেন। একি নতুন ধরণের বিড়ম্বনা! বইটাকে কোনো বন্ধুর মত মনে হয়। প্রতিদিন তার কাছে যাওয়া যেন এক বাধ্যবাধকতা। মধুর বিড়ম্বনা...
ওয়াং দ্যা টাইগার আর তার একমাত্র ছেলের মাঝে এ ��বার ক্যামন ভালবাসার আধিক্য যা অন্যের নিকট পৌঁছায় না?? যাতে একাকীত্ব ঘোচে না??
বইটার ব্যপ্তি অনেক। ছোট ছোট আবেগ-অনুভূতি গুলোর বর্ণনা এত বেশী তীক্ষ্ণ যে অনুভূতির চাদরে ঘিরে রাখে বইটি। বইগুলোর চরিত্র গুলো নিজ দোষ-গুণে অনেক বেশী বাস্তব। যদিও গুড আর্থের মায়াময় পরিবেশের অভাব আছে সানস-এ। কিন্তু তবুও পাঁচ তারা। কারণ সব জীবন মাটির মমতার ছোঁয়া পায় না, কিছু জীবন পায় লোহার কাঠিন্য। আর সব ভালবাসাই পূর্ণতা পায় না, কারণ মানুষ নিজের মত করে উজাড় ভালবাসে কিন্তু অপরজন জনের অভাব থাকে অন্য কোনো রকমের ভালবাসার। শুধুমাত্র শেষ দুই পাতার জন্যই বইটিকে পাঁচতারা দেয়া যায়।
গন্ধ বদলালেও বদলায়নি লেখিকার লেখনী। বাপরে... চরিত্রগুলোর অনুভূতির ছোট ছোট ওঠানামা কিভাবে লিখেছেন উনিই জানেন। লম্বা উপন্যাস পড়তে গেলে আমি সাধারণত একটা বিড়ম্বনার পড়ি। আমি জানতে ইচ্ছা করে কোনো একটা চরিত্র কি অবস্থায় আছে, কোনোটা ঘটনা কতটুকু এগুলো, কিন্তু লেখক বলতে থাকেন অন্য একটা চরিত্রের কথা, অন্য একটা ঘটনার কথা। কিন্তু পার্ল এস বাকের সাথে কোথায় যেন আমি একটা মনের মিল পেলাম। আমি যখন যার কথা জানতে চাই, উনি তখনই তার কথা বলেন। একি নতুন ধরণের বিড়ম্বনা! বইটাকে কোনো বন্ধুর মত মনে হয়। প্রতিদিন তার কাছে যাওয়া যেন এক বাধ্যবাধকতা। মধুর বিড়ম্বনা...
ওয়াং দ্যা টাইগার আর তার একমাত্র ছেলের মাঝে এ ��বার ক্যামন ভালবাসার আধিক্য যা অন্যের নিকট পৌঁছায় না?? যাতে একাকীত্ব ঘোচে না??
বইটার ব্যপ্তি অনেক। ছোট ছোট আবেগ-অনুভূতি গুলোর বর্ণনা এত বেশী তীক্ষ্ণ যে অনুভূতির চাদরে ঘিরে রাখে বইটি। বইগুলোর চরিত্র গুলো নিজ দোষ-গুণে অনেক বেশী বাস্তব। যদিও গুড আর্থের মায়াময় পরিবেশের অভাব আছে সানস-এ। কিন্তু তবুও পাঁচ তারা। কারণ সব জীবন মাটির মমতার ছোঁয়া পায় না, কিছু জীবন পায় লোহার কাঠিন্য। আর সব ভালবাসাই পূর্ণতা পায় না, কারণ মানুষ নিজের মত করে উজাড় ভালবাসে কিন্তু অপরজন জনের অভাব থাকে অন্য কোনো রকমের ভালবাসার। শুধুমাত্র শেষ দুই পাতার জন্যই বইটিকে পাঁচতারা দেয়া যায়।
June 8, 2024
I have to admit that start to spoke with great expectations of it being another classic like the good earth. However, it fell short compared to that absolute classic, but it was a pleasant enough book about family, greed, and family struggles.
July 16, 2020
Buku kedua Trilogi karya Pearl S Buck. Buku pertama trilogi ini The Good Earth membuat aku jatuh cinta dan memburu-buru buku eyang Pearl. Cukup susah buat mencari kelanjutannya maupun mencari karya beliau, apalagi waktu itu masih tinggal di Papua.
Sesuai judulnya, buku kedua ini lebih banyak bercerita tentang anak-anak Wang Lung setelah sang ayah tutup usia. Meninggalkan anak-anak dan gundiknya, serta kembalinya si nomor tiga, Wang Si Macan, bersama pasukannya. Wang menjadi fokus utama, sepak terjang si nomor tiga yang sangat berambisi untuk memimpin pasukan. Menggunakan modal dari harta warisannya, dia membentuk sebuah pasukan perang dan menaklukkan daerah-daerah sekitarnya.
Anak-anak Wang Lung memiliki karakter yang sangat berbeda jauh dan tidak ada satu pun yang sama mencintai tanah pertaniannya seperti Wang Lung, yang bekerja keras dengan cinta. Apalagi karakter ibu mereka yang lugu, pekerja keras dan sederhana. Jauh sekali dari itu semua.
Aku masih terheran-heran bagaimana eyang Pearl bisa menciptakan karakter-karakter tersebut dan sesuai dengan cerita yang ia bangun.
Sesuai judulnya, buku kedua ini lebih banyak bercerita tentang anak-anak Wang Lung setelah sang ayah tutup usia. Meninggalkan anak-anak dan gundiknya, serta kembalinya si nomor tiga, Wang Si Macan, bersama pasukannya. Wang menjadi fokus utama, sepak terjang si nomor tiga yang sangat berambisi untuk memimpin pasukan. Menggunakan modal dari harta warisannya, dia membentuk sebuah pasukan perang dan menaklukkan daerah-daerah sekitarnya.
Anak-anak Wang Lung memiliki karakter yang sangat berbeda jauh dan tidak ada satu pun yang sama mencintai tanah pertaniannya seperti Wang Lung, yang bekerja keras dengan cinta. Apalagi karakter ibu mereka yang lugu, pekerja keras dan sederhana. Jauh sekali dari itu semua.
Aku masih terheran-heran bagaimana eyang Pearl bisa menciptakan karakter-karakter tersebut dan sesuai dengan cerita yang ia bangun.
June 5, 2020
بيرل باك أعتقد أنها من أبرز الروائيين عبقرية ، لأنها كتبت عن مجتمع لا أقول بأنه غريب عنها تماماً لأنه لم يكن ، ولكن باعتقادي أنه من أكثر المجتمعات تعقيداً للأخرين ، كتبت بلطف وتواضع ، كتبت عن الإنسان الصيني ، الذي ظنه الآخرون مجرد بيدق عسكري بلا روح ! ، أحب بيرل جداً .. وأبجل ما كتبت .
فكرة الرواية ليست جديدة أو مبتكرة ، ذكرتني بقصة قرأتها في طفولتي عن خنازير ثلاثة ، إذ أن الفكرة أن ما تموت لتحصل عليه في حياتك ، قد يكون هو الطريق الأكثر تدميرا لأبنائك .
لكن المدهش أن (بيرل ) أخذت هذه الفكره المعتادة وصاغتها بشكل إبداعي عظيم لا يُمل .
كما حاكت صورة غير متداولة عن ملوك الحرب و صور الشجاعة والرغبة في الجلوس على عرش الحكم ..
أحببتها ، خمس نجوم وأكثر .
فكرة الرواية ليست جديدة أو مبتكرة ، ذكرتني بقصة قرأتها في طفولتي عن خنازير ثلاثة ، إذ أن الفكرة أن ما تموت لتحصل عليه في حياتك ، قد يكون هو الطريق الأكثر تدميرا لأبنائك .
لكن المدهش أن (بيرل ) أخذت هذه الفكره المعتادة وصاغتها بشكل إبداعي عظيم لا يُمل .
كما حاكت صورة غير متداولة عن ملوك الحرب و صور الشجاعة والرغبة في الجلوس على عرش الحكم ..
أحببتها ، خمس نجوم وأكثر .
August 24, 2017
This book makes me wonder how my children will turn out when I'm gone. The father spends his whole life creating an inheritance for his children and counsels them to take care of it. But because they did not work for any of the wealth, they end up squandering it all in the end. I've seen this happen over and over. It is true - that which we gain at little expense is not highly valued.
September 15, 2011
Sepertinya aku perlu memakai konsep ini, untuk membuat review di saat aku merasa ingin membuatnya, mungkin tak perlu menundanya hingga kuselesaikan. Toh, tak ada yang melarang review bertahap kan ? :D
Ini terbukti dari buku satu ini, saat tinggal kurang dari 20 halaman lagi buku ini kuselesaikan, aku sangat ingin menulis reviewnya, eh, setelah selesai malah niat itu tak kunjung bersambut. Ada saja rasa malas yang menundanya. 'Feel'-nya sudah mulai hilang.
Buku ini sebenarnya berjudul Sons, yang mengisahkan ketiga anak Wang Lung - sang petani yang tekun, yang telah beranjak dewasa dan memiliki keluarga serta keturunan masing-masing. Mengapa diberikan judul terjemahan 'Wang si Macan' ? Sepertinya karena porsi penceritaan sebagian besar tentang anak ketiga ini, serta alur cerita ke buku ketiga yang bersumber dari Wang si Macan.
Anak pertama, Wang sang Tuan Tanah, adalah seorang lelaki yang suka memuaskan nafsu jasmaninya, bergaul dengan banyak wanita yang menarik indera penglihatan (selain istri dan selirnya). Wah, satu istri dan satu selir resmi tak cukup nampaknya bagi lelaki ini, bahkan anak-anak yang dilahirkan untuknya sepertinya tak membuatnya tertarik untuk tinggal di rumah dan membina mereka. Wang sang Tuan Tanah, perlambang NAFSU JASMANI seorang pria yang membuatnya terpuruk dalam beban finansial yang cukup berat, demi memenuhi keinginan wanita-wanita di sekitarnya. Dia tak dapat mengembangkan dan mengusahakan warisan yang ditinggalkan oleh Wang Lung, namun justru menghabiskannya sedikit demi sedikit. Dia mendapatkan istri yang pintar, bahkan rajin bersembahyang, namun keluarganya tak harmonis. Hubungan dengan anak pun tak dekat, hingga anak sulungnya lepas kontrol, hidup meniru sang ayah.
Anak kedua, Wang sang Saudagar, adalah seorang lelaki yang sangat tekun bekerja dan cermat dalam menghitung harta kekayaannya, bahkan terkesan kikir. Dia berdagang beras dari hasil ladang yang ditinggalkan Wang Lung yang tentunya dikerjakan oleh orang-orang upahan atau orang yang menyewa sawah tersebut. Wang sang Saudagar nampaknya mendapatkan pasangan yang pas baginya, seorang istri yang pintar berhemat. Anehnya, walaupun hidup dengan sangat diirit terkesan pelit, kehidupan di keluarga ini agak 'hidup', paling tidak ada gelak tawa dan kepolosan berkembang di antara anak-anaknya. Sayang disayang, Wang sang Saudagar ini hanya sibuk menghitung untung, bahkan anaknya dititipkan pada sang paman pun hanya demi 'untung'. Mungkin dia tak dapat menikmati sebagian kenikmatan yang sebenarnya bisa dia rasakan. Sifat Wang sang Saudagar ini mewakili sifat KETAMAKAN yang dimiliki oleh manusia.
Anak ketiga, Wang si Macan, seorang anak yang dididik oleh Wang Lung agar menjadi petani, malah menolak mentah-mentah rencana sang ayah dan berkelana untuk menjadi tentara. Dia menjual tanah warisan ayahnya hanya demi impiannya mencapai kekuasaan. Dia bahkan nyaris tak mengenal cinta pada wanita setelah cinta masa remajanya pada Pear Blossom yang bertepuk sebelah tangan. Wang si Macan menyalurkan hasratnya pada KEKUASAAN yang menurutnya bisa dicapainya dengan perang di berbagai tempat, merebut berbagai daerah. Upayanya untuk mendapatkan istri pun tak mulus. Dia sempat menelan pil pahit saat menikahi seorang wanita yang disangkanya berpotensi dapat melahirkan anak yang dia idamkan ternyata mengkhianatinya.
Anak yang didambanya akhirnya didapatkan di kemudian hari saat usianya beranjak paruh baya, dan dididiknya ala prajurit demi menggapai ambisinya.
Ahh, buku ini benar-benar menggambarkan 3 hasrat manusia yang memang kebanyakan ada pada para lelaki, seperti hawa nafsu, ketamakan (harta duniawi), dan kekuasanaan. Wanita, Harta, Tahta.
Aku belajar sesuatu di sini. Hampir tidak ada sosok anak yang berhasil memenuhi keinginan orangtuanya di kisah ini. Hanya di buku pertama, Wang Lung dapat mencapai prestasi dalam bidang pertanian yang memang ditanamkan oleh ayahnya sejak kecil, dengan kegigihan dan kerja kerasnya.
Anak-anak Wang Lung justru tidak ada yang mencintai tanah, yang tekah diperjuangkan Wang Lung dengan tiap tetes keringat dan air mata.
Demikian pula cucu-cucunya, yang benar-benar berlainan dari apa yang didambakan oleh para orang tua mereka Wang sang Tuan Tanah, Wang sang Saudagar, dan Wang si Macan.
Anak-anak bukanlah pion yang bisa dimainkan oleh orangtuanya atau budak dari impian orangtuanya. Orangtua dapat mengarahkan anak, atau mempunyai impian yang tinggi atas anak-anaknya, yang mungkin juga bagian dari impian mereka di kala muda yang tidak tercapai, lalu dibebankan pada sang anak.
Jangan sekali-kali memaksakan impian pada anak-anak. Anak-anak adalah makhluk hidup pribadi, yang dipercayakan oleh Tuhan pada orangtua untuk dikasihi dan berkembang bersama. Bukan berarti anak-anak itu bebas untuk dibentuk oleh orangtua. Buktinya, bukan hanya ada pada kisah ini, namun juga kisah nyata di banyak keluarga.
Kebanyakan mereka yang bahagia menjalani hidupnya, adalah mereka yang berhasil menemui panggilan hidupnya sendiri serta menjalaninya dengan kesungguhan. Bukan yang menjalani hidupnya dengan paksaan, karena apalah artinya hidup dengan limpahan harta atau kekuasaan, namun tanpa kebahagiaan yang meresap sampai relung jiwamu? Apakah yang lebih indah dari menghidupi apa yang kau cintai, bukan apa yang diwajibkan untuk kau jalani ?
Figur favoritku dalam buku kedua dari trilogi ini adalah Pear Blossom.
Bagaimana tidak ? Dia mencintai Wang Lung dengan cinta yang mungkin lebih cenderung seperti cinta kepada figur ayah. Namun baktinya pada Wang Lung dan keluarga tak bisa dilupakan, saat dia setia mengurus anak Wang Lung yang cacat serta cucunya yang disingkirkan oleh keluarganya, bahkan hingga usia senja. Dia tak silau oleh gelimang harta benda peninggalan Wang Lung maupun suburnya tanah yang membentang luas. Dia mencukupkan dirinya dengan apa yang diberikan keluarga besar itu padanya, dan tetap mencintai tanah Wang Lung dengan cara memberikan nasehat pada putra-putra Wang Lung yang ingin menjual tanah warisan itu.
Aku tambah tertarik dengan kisah di buku ketiga. Kira-kira apa pelajaran yang bisa kupetik ya ? :)
Ini terbukti dari buku satu ini, saat tinggal kurang dari 20 halaman lagi buku ini kuselesaikan, aku sangat ingin menulis reviewnya, eh, setelah selesai malah niat itu tak kunjung bersambut. Ada saja rasa malas yang menundanya. 'Feel'-nya sudah mulai hilang.
Buku ini sebenarnya berjudul Sons, yang mengisahkan ketiga anak Wang Lung - sang petani yang tekun, yang telah beranjak dewasa dan memiliki keluarga serta keturunan masing-masing. Mengapa diberikan judul terjemahan 'Wang si Macan' ? Sepertinya karena porsi penceritaan sebagian besar tentang anak ketiga ini, serta alur cerita ke buku ketiga yang bersumber dari Wang si Macan.
Anak pertama, Wang sang Tuan Tanah, adalah seorang lelaki yang suka memuaskan nafsu jasmaninya, bergaul dengan banyak wanita yang menarik indera penglihatan (selain istri dan selirnya). Wah, satu istri dan satu selir resmi tak cukup nampaknya bagi lelaki ini, bahkan anak-anak yang dilahirkan untuknya sepertinya tak membuatnya tertarik untuk tinggal di rumah dan membina mereka. Wang sang Tuan Tanah, perlambang NAFSU JASMANI seorang pria yang membuatnya terpuruk dalam beban finansial yang cukup berat, demi memenuhi keinginan wanita-wanita di sekitarnya. Dia tak dapat mengembangkan dan mengusahakan warisan yang ditinggalkan oleh Wang Lung, namun justru menghabiskannya sedikit demi sedikit. Dia mendapatkan istri yang pintar, bahkan rajin bersembahyang, namun keluarganya tak harmonis. Hubungan dengan anak pun tak dekat, hingga anak sulungnya lepas kontrol, hidup meniru sang ayah.
Anak kedua, Wang sang Saudagar, adalah seorang lelaki yang sangat tekun bekerja dan cermat dalam menghitung harta kekayaannya, bahkan terkesan kikir. Dia berdagang beras dari hasil ladang yang ditinggalkan Wang Lung yang tentunya dikerjakan oleh orang-orang upahan atau orang yang menyewa sawah tersebut. Wang sang Saudagar nampaknya mendapatkan pasangan yang pas baginya, seorang istri yang pintar berhemat. Anehnya, walaupun hidup dengan sangat diirit terkesan pelit, kehidupan di keluarga ini agak 'hidup', paling tidak ada gelak tawa dan kepolosan berkembang di antara anak-anaknya. Sayang disayang, Wang sang Saudagar ini hanya sibuk menghitung untung, bahkan anaknya dititipkan pada sang paman pun hanya demi 'untung'. Mungkin dia tak dapat menikmati sebagian kenikmatan yang sebenarnya bisa dia rasakan. Sifat Wang sang Saudagar ini mewakili sifat KETAMAKAN yang dimiliki oleh manusia.
Anak ketiga, Wang si Macan, seorang anak yang dididik oleh Wang Lung agar menjadi petani, malah menolak mentah-mentah rencana sang ayah dan berkelana untuk menjadi tentara. Dia menjual tanah warisan ayahnya hanya demi impiannya mencapai kekuasaan. Dia bahkan nyaris tak mengenal cinta pada wanita setelah cinta masa remajanya pada Pear Blossom yang bertepuk sebelah tangan. Wang si Macan menyalurkan hasratnya pada KEKUASAAN yang menurutnya bisa dicapainya dengan perang di berbagai tempat, merebut berbagai daerah. Upayanya untuk mendapatkan istri pun tak mulus. Dia sempat menelan pil pahit saat menikahi seorang wanita yang disangkanya berpotensi dapat melahirkan anak yang dia idamkan ternyata mengkhianatinya.
Anak yang didambanya akhirnya didapatkan di kemudian hari saat usianya beranjak paruh baya, dan dididiknya ala prajurit demi menggapai ambisinya.
Ahh, buku ini benar-benar menggambarkan 3 hasrat manusia yang memang kebanyakan ada pada para lelaki, seperti hawa nafsu, ketamakan (harta duniawi), dan kekuasanaan. Wanita, Harta, Tahta.
Aku belajar sesuatu di sini. Hampir tidak ada sosok anak yang berhasil memenuhi keinginan orangtuanya di kisah ini. Hanya di buku pertama, Wang Lung dapat mencapai prestasi dalam bidang pertanian yang memang ditanamkan oleh ayahnya sejak kecil, dengan kegigihan dan kerja kerasnya.
Anak-anak Wang Lung justru tidak ada yang mencintai tanah, yang tekah diperjuangkan Wang Lung dengan tiap tetes keringat dan air mata.
Demikian pula cucu-cucunya, yang benar-benar berlainan dari apa yang didambakan oleh para orang tua mereka Wang sang Tuan Tanah, Wang sang Saudagar, dan Wang si Macan.
Anak-anak bukanlah pion yang bisa dimainkan oleh orangtuanya atau budak dari impian orangtuanya. Orangtua dapat mengarahkan anak, atau mempunyai impian yang tinggi atas anak-anaknya, yang mungkin juga bagian dari impian mereka di kala muda yang tidak tercapai, lalu dibebankan pada sang anak.
Jangan sekali-kali memaksakan impian pada anak-anak. Anak-anak adalah makhluk hidup pribadi, yang dipercayakan oleh Tuhan pada orangtua untuk dikasihi dan berkembang bersama. Bukan berarti anak-anak itu bebas untuk dibentuk oleh orangtua. Buktinya, bukan hanya ada pada kisah ini, namun juga kisah nyata di banyak keluarga.
Kebanyakan mereka yang bahagia menjalani hidupnya, adalah mereka yang berhasil menemui panggilan hidupnya sendiri serta menjalaninya dengan kesungguhan. Bukan yang menjalani hidupnya dengan paksaan, karena apalah artinya hidup dengan limpahan harta atau kekuasaan, namun tanpa kebahagiaan yang meresap sampai relung jiwamu? Apakah yang lebih indah dari menghidupi apa yang kau cintai, bukan apa yang diwajibkan untuk kau jalani ?
Figur favoritku dalam buku kedua dari trilogi ini adalah Pear Blossom.
Bagaimana tidak ? Dia mencintai Wang Lung dengan cinta yang mungkin lebih cenderung seperti cinta kepada figur ayah. Namun baktinya pada Wang Lung dan keluarga tak bisa dilupakan, saat dia setia mengurus anak Wang Lung yang cacat serta cucunya yang disingkirkan oleh keluarganya, bahkan hingga usia senja. Dia tak silau oleh gelimang harta benda peninggalan Wang Lung maupun suburnya tanah yang membentang luas. Dia mencukupkan dirinya dengan apa yang diberikan keluarga besar itu padanya, dan tetap mencintai tanah Wang Lung dengan cara memberikan nasehat pada putra-putra Wang Lung yang ingin menjual tanah warisan itu.
Aku tambah tertarik dengan kisah di buku ketiga. Kira-kira apa pelajaran yang bisa kupetik ya ? :)
July 18, 2025
This book offers a unique portrait of the Warlord society in China at the beginning of the 20th century. It explains the social origins of the warlords, their path to power, where they obtain their funding, their methods for ruling and their vulnerabilities.
Amongst many other things it explains why Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Republic lost a large party of its territory to the Japanese invaders in the 1930 and then collapsed completely against Mao Tse-Tung's Communists.
None of these things of course make "Sons" good literature. I think however that Sons gets better than passing grades for its literary qualities. Buck is a master in writing about violence. Her portrayal of the life of women in a brutal, misogynist society is brilliant.
Finally, it should be noted that "Sons" which is the second volume of the "House of Earth" Trilogy sets the table very effectively for the final volume of the series.
The great the value of "Sons" lies in its analysis of a the badly misunderstood warlord class than played a key role in Chinese history in the first half of the 20th century. It should certainly be read by anyone interested in Chinese history. Literature lovers who are not interested in history will likely find "Sons" a dreary slog.
Amongst many other things it explains why Chiang Kai-shek's Chinese Republic lost a large party of its territory to the Japanese invaders in the 1930 and then collapsed completely against Mao Tse-Tung's Communists.
None of these things of course make "Sons" good literature. I think however that Sons gets better than passing grades for its literary qualities. Buck is a master in writing about violence. Her portrayal of the life of women in a brutal, misogynist society is brilliant.
Finally, it should be noted that "Sons" which is the second volume of the "House of Earth" Trilogy sets the table very effectively for the final volume of the series.
The great the value of "Sons" lies in its analysis of a the badly misunderstood warlord class than played a key role in Chinese history in the first half of the 20th century. It should certainly be read by anyone interested in Chinese history. Literature lovers who are not interested in history will likely find "Sons" a dreary slog.
June 20, 2023
This is a hard one to rate because while it was a decent story, it felt unnecessary.
In The Good Earth, Wang Lung is understandably a controversial character today, albeit a product of his environment when the book is set. Regardless of personal feelings toward him, watching him pull his family out of poverty to become the richest family in their area was a joy to read. In this follow-up novel, Lung's sons essentially destroy his legacy with one stupid decison after another.
It was also annoying that the characters were referred to as Wang the Eldest, etc. when they were given names at one point in the first book.
In The Good Earth, Wang Lung is understandably a controversial character today, albeit a product of his environment when the book is set. Regardless of personal feelings toward him, watching him pull his family out of poverty to become the richest family in their area was a joy to read. In this follow-up novel, Lung's sons essentially destroy his legacy with one stupid decison after another.
It was also annoying that the characters were referred to as Wang the Eldest, etc. when they were given names at one point in the first book.
May 20, 2020
La continuación de "La buena tierra", este libro habla sobre el linaje de Wang Lung, un campesino chino que hizo fortuna. Me gusta mucho los caminos tan distintos de los tres hermanos, un terrateniente, un mercader y un "señor de la guerra", en quién gira más la historia. Buck crea pequeñas pinturas detalladas de diferentes escenarios familiares en China mientras describe los sentimientos, sueños y preocupaciones de sus personajes principales. Espero poder conseguir pronto la tercera parte "Un hogar dividido", para conocer el desenlace de tan buena trilogía.
August 22, 2023
Ωραίος ο πολεμαρχος!
August 4, 2024
I found this book far less engaging than The Good Earth. It centered primarily on the third son and his quest for glory as a soldier. I'm just not interested in lords of war and found it somewhat boring. It was good to see what became of other characters in the first book, especially Pear Blossom.
October 1, 2021
The sequel to The God Earth, this book follows the lives of the three sons of Wang Lung, one q landlord, one a merchant and one a war lord, It relates how each son abandons the land that Wang Lung held dear and then how each, in turn, is disappointed by their own sons.
This book is written in a really irritating style – almost like Buck was trying to make her narrative sound like a person speaking stilted English. Predictable and not very interesting.
This book is written in a really irritating style – almost like Buck was trying to make her narrative sound like a person speaking stilted English. Predictable and not very interesting.
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