Pearl S. Buck: A Cultural Biography

Peter Conn's sweeping biography of Pearl Buck is as fascinating and provocative as Ms. Buck herself. I have been an admirer of Buck's writing for years, however I never knew the true depth of her character and achievements until I read Conn's book. Not only was the Nobel Prize winner an excellent writer and champion of Chinese causes, but she was a staunch supporter of civil and women's rights, a tireless fundraiser, and an advocate for inter-racial/international adoption. She was a fearless and often controversial speaker on behalf of the under-represented and oppressed, and made a great impact on public opinion towards racial and gender equality. Conn covers all of these diverse aspects of Pearl Buck beautifully. His book is very well researched, well organized, and well written. He presents all sides of his subject - good and bad - in an unflinching and intelligent manner. He discusses the circumstances under which Buck wrote her greatest books, her first 40 years in China, and her experiences as a prominent global literary figure. I couldn't put the book down - it was wonderful to discover that the writer whose books I have cherished for so many years had lead such a compelling and multi-faceted life. There is much more to Pearl Buck than even her impressive body of literary work suggests - and Peter Conn has done a tremendous job of revealing the many sides of this remarkable woman.

I think that Peter Conn's book is an incredible achievement. It is apparent that he has taken great pains to sort through a massive quantity of letters, published writings, and FBI files about the writer and humanitarian Pearl Buck. Thankfully, this is NOT the sort of dirty-laundry biography, so popular now, which serves only to tear down its subject. Conn is factual and honest to the memory of a great woman, who accomplished much in her lifetime. The book follows Pearl Buck from her missionary origin through her unexpected literary success, into her high-profile career as a spokesperson for Chinese/Eastern issues and the founding of the Welcome House (an adoption agency) and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation.This biography inspired me to read through more Buck's novels. She was so prolific! I strongly recommend _Good Earth_ and _Sons_, as well as _Kinfolk_, and especially _The Mother_. Conn's biography points out the factors that have led to her omission from the literary canon. Primarily, she was writing about the experience of women during a time when women's issues were dismissed as frivolous and un-literary. Also, she worked at such a great pace, that her writing is uneven, and not all of it of the great quality that earned her the Nobel prize.I think that Peter Conn's book will remain a splendid resource about Pearl S. Buck for years to come! Good reading!

I just finished reading this book for a book group I am a member of and am looking forward to our discussion next week. I interrupted my reading when Conn got to his discussion of The Good Earth to read it and then continue with his book. What a revelation! I found both of these books to be excellent. The Good Earth grabs you early on and leads you on an adventure to enlightenment. These are real people - responding to real and often overwhelming circumstances as human beings - good, bad, conflicted and complex. A real learning experience! Back, to Conn's book. He does an excellent job in presenting the whole Buck, not glossing over any negatives or at least perceived negatives but just amazing you with what this woman of enormous energy, courage and integrity accomplished. She became a "celebrity" and she used this status to do good in every way she knew how! The indictment of the male literary establishment and their dismissal of Buck as a merely "popular" author is well documented and supported. I disagreed with just a few of the authors points, one in particular in which he characterizes the strongest fiction as accepting the task of making the familiar seem strange while Buck only had the gift of making the strange seem familiar. I would say good books could do either and one certainly isn't superior to the other. I had only heard about Buck, never read anything about her or by her Conn's book did a wonderful service - in introducing and illuminating one of the giants of the 20th century

Peter Conn's book covers Pearl Buck's many lives, from daughter of Christian missionaries in China to her path as global spokesperson for equal rights for all cultures. Her life's story is an inspiration to all those seeking a genuine world cultural equality. She was a defender and outstanding champion of racial and female equality and understood better than most the stakes which were involved in WWII. Elevated to Nobel Laureate status, she could have rested there, content in her achievement. Instead she chose to take courageous stands against oppression wherever she could.A comprehensive book,I recommend it for its placement of Buck within the background of China's many upheavals and her fight against American and English narrow thought of the time. I believe this is an important book.

This biography serves a 2-fold purpose: it reveals Pearl Buck's innermost self and it gives a succinct account of modern Chinese histroy. This meticulous book gives a detailed account of Pearl Buck's life whilst giving brief background of Buck's major works. At the same time, it is a mini history book of China giving good description of the Boxer Uprising, Nanking Revolution etc. The only setback is that there is little account of what the Buck Foundation has accomplished since Buck's death in 1973.