Pearl Buck In China: A Western Woman's Journey Through the Middle Kingdom

Pearl Buck in China: Journey to The Good Earth

by Hilary Spurling

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages

FREE

Pearl Buck was an American author and Nobel laureate who is best known for her novels about China, where she lived for many years. Buck's experiences in China had a profound impact on her writing and her understanding of the world. Her novel The Good Earth, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932, is one of the most famous and beloved novels about China ever written.

Buck was born in West Virginia in 1892. Her parents were missionaries, and she spent her early childhood in China. She returned to the United States to attend college, but she eventually returned to China in 1917 to work as a teacher. She married a Chinese farmer, and they had two children together. Buck lived in China for many years, and she became deeply involved in the lives of the Chinese people. She wrote extensively about their culture and traditions, and she was a strong advocate for their rights.

In 1938, Buck published The Good Earth. The novel was an instant success, and it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. The Good Earth is a moving and realistic portrayal of the lives of Chinese farmers. The novel was praised for its insights into Chinese culture, and it helped to change the way that Americans viewed China.

Buck continued to write about China throughout her career. She published more than 80 books, including novels, short stories, essays, and non-fiction works. She also worked as a journalist and a lecturer, and she was a vocal advocate for peace and human rights. Buck died in 1973, but her work continues to be read and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Pearl Buck In China is a fascinating account of the life and work of one of the most famous American authors of the 20th century. Buck's experiences in China had a profound impact on her writing and her understanding of the world. This book offers a unique glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman and the culture that inspired her work.

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 1: Early Life and Education
2. Chapter 2: Life in China
3. Chapter 3: Literary Career
4. Chapter 4: Later Life and Legacy

Chapter 1: Early Life and Education

Pearl Buck was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia, on June 26, 1892. Her parents were Absalom and Caroline Stulting Sydenstricker, both of whom were Presbyterian missionaries. Buck's father had been sent to China in 1889, and her mother joined him there in 1891. Buck was born the following year, and she spent her early childhood in China.

Buck's parents were deeply involved in their missionary work, and they raised their children to be the same. Buck was taught to read and write Chinese at a young age, and she became fluent in the language. She also learned about Chinese culture and traditions, and she developed a deep love for the Chinese people.

In 1900, the Boxer Rebellion broke out in China. The Boxers were a group of Chinese nationalists who were opposed to foreign influence in China. They attacked Christian missionaries and Chinese converts to Christianity. Buck's family was forced to flee from their home in Zhenjiang, and they spent the next several months living in refugee camps.

The Boxer Rebellion had a profound impact on Buck. She saw firsthand the violence and hatred that could be directed against foreigners in China. She also saw the courage and resilience of the Chinese people. The experience of the Boxer Rebellion helped to shape Buck's views on China and the world.

Chapter 2: Life in China

In 1902, Buck's family returned to the United States. Buck attended Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Virginia, and she graduated in 1914. After graduating from college, Buck returned to China to work as a teacher. She taught at a girls' school in Nanjing, and she also worked as a journalist for a local newspaper.

In 1917, Buck married John Lossing Buck, a Chinese farmer. The couple had two children together, a son and a daughter. Buck lived in China for many years, and she became deeply involved in the lives of the Chinese people. She wrote extensively about their culture and traditions, and she was a strong advocate for their rights.

Buck's experiences in China had a profound impact on her writing. Her novel The Good Earth, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932, is one of the most famous and beloved novels about China ever written. The novel is a moving and realistic portrayal of the lives of Chinese farmers. The novel was praised for its insights into Chinese culture, and it helped to change the way that Americans viewed China.

Chapter 3: Literary Career

Buck published more than 80 books, including novels, short stories, essays, and non-fiction works. She wrote about a wide range of topics, including Chinese culture, American history, and women's rights. Buck's work was praised for its insights into human nature, and she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.

Buck was a prolific writer, and she wrote at a time when there were few female authors. She was a pioneer for women in literature, and she inspired many other women to pursue their writing careers. Buck's work continues to be read and enjoyed by people all over the world.

Chapter 4: Later Life and Legacy

Buck died in Danby, Vermont, on March 6, 1973. She was 80 years old. Buck left behind a legacy of over 80 books and countless articles and essays. She was a pioneer for women in literature, and she was a strong advocate for peace and human rights.

Buck's work continues to be read and enjoyed by people all over the world. She is remembered as one of the most important American authors of the 20th century, and her work has had a profound impact on the way that we view China and the world.

Pearl Buck in China: Journey to The Good Earth

by Hilary Spurling

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	322 pages

FREE