One of the more political novels from the pen of Pearl Buck, Dragon Seed brings to light the tragedy of the Japanese invasion and occupation of mainland China during WWII. Centering her story around the fictional family of Ling Tan, Buck recreates the heart wrenching devastation that war inflicted on these gentle innocent people. Ling Tan and his family were simple farmers living in peaceful isolation. Western technology, and likewise the machinery of war, were unknown in these outlying regions of China. And even though literacy was on the rise among the younger generations, the alarming reports of foreign aggression went largely ignored. For the peasants, the transition from one political ruler to another was virtually inconsequential; life revolved around their farms and their villages. Patriotism was not the concept of loving and defending a country; their land was their country. But as the invasion moves inland and the roads are jammed with survivors fleeing west, Ling Tan and his neighbors are forced to face the harsh realities of war. "Days passed and with the rulers gone the people held themselves the more steadfast knowing that they and they alone were left to stand against the enemy and upon each man himself now depended what would happen. So it had happened again and again in other times, for rulers anywhere are always the first to fly, and the people must stay behind to be steadfast."
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"What a wonderful book. It was just what I needed at the time- something substantial but gentle. The story is similar to much of the Asian literature I've read. Picturesque with beautiful images and a gentle philosophy. Of course, the war described of the invasion of China by the Japanese was not gentle, but the viewpoint that the book primarily takes of the older farmer who loves his land is quiet and beautiful. The wife is just so no-nonsense, which is refreshing. The characters were for the most part caricatures of different people during wartime, but I was able to forgive that. A rushed ending, I felt, but otherwise really nice." — Nina (5 out of 5 stars)
"What a wonderful book. It was just what I needed at the time- something substantial but gentle. The story is similar to much of the Asian literature I've read. Picturesque with beautiful images and a gentle philosophy. Of course, the war described of the invasion of China by the Japanese was not gentle, but the viewpoint that the book primarily takes of the older farmer who loves his land is quiet and beautiful. The wife is just so no-nonsense, which is refreshing. The characters were for the most part caricatures of different people during wartime, but I was able to forgive that. A rushed ending, I felt, but otherwise really nice."
" It wasn't horrible. I finished it. "
" Elegant and heart-breaking. Read it. "
" I could not put this one down. I loved how the author made sure you had a clear sense of family honor, loyalties and problems that they faced. Definitely not for those who like their epic novels neat and tidy, and where the good guys always win. "
" I do truly love Buck. She will always take her characcters out of their comfort zone and then pushes them to the extreme. She is depressing, but I cannot read her and say, "I would never do what that character did." You really don't know what you are capable of. "
" If you never read anything else, read this. It is one of the most powerful books of our time, with truth about human nature which crosses over culture and time. I recommend it to everyone I ever meet who is the slightest bit interested in good literature. "
" A great author. Worth reading again! "
" Another re-read -- the resiliency and cruelty of humans so vividly shared in this story about the Japanese invasion of China. "
" Not as powerful as The Good Earth, but still good. Some very disturbing parts. "
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" It's amazing how much of her life experiences are in her books. If you really look closely, you'll see that her daughter, Janice, makes an appearance in every book. "
" Good book, interesting, but sad. "
" I have yet to be dissapointed by Pearl Buck. "
" I am a Pearl S Buck addict. This is one of my favorites. "
" i have an old hardback copy of this book that my parents gave me....it got me hooked on pearl buck. "
" Fabulous book on China. "
" deeply, deeply disturbing portrayal of the Rape of Nanking. Graphic, horrifying descriptions of rape and murder. I guess I just wasn't prepared and Buck had a major vendetta, so I was in for a bit of a shock. "
" Another PSB favorite. Love the development of familial relationships. "
" From this book, I learned where the aristocrats hid their jewelry when peasants stormed their homes. I recognized the sacrifice that a mother makes for her children and the uphill battle she must fight against a husband if he does not see her as an equal and if their values differ. "
" This was very good but it was a difficult read because of the graphic details when their land was pillaged in war time. I'm glad I read it - difficult but worth it. "
" love P.S Buck... cannot objectively review. "
" She couldn't be more vapid. "
" Pearl Buck is one of my favorite authors and, in my estimation, this is one of her finest books. "
" During the Japaneses Occupation Pearl S. Buck recalled this story in so real a manner. She gets into the heart of the farmer's life and their suffering. A well blended Dragon Seed. "
" I could not get through this book. I hate the way women are treated in the orient so this book sickened me. I tried my best but couldn't finish it. "
" This is one of those books that I did not want to end. However, I thought the ending was a little too pat. "
" Nobel Prize-winning author's compelling story of a Chinese family before and during the Japanese invasion of the 1930's. "
Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973), the daughter of missionaries, was born in West Virginia but spent most of her time until 1934 in China. She began writing while in China and published her first novel shortly after returning to the United States. Her novel The Good Earth was the bestselling fiction book in the United States in 1931 and 1932, and it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938 she became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, “for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China and for her biographical masterpieces.”
Adam Verner is a stage, film, television, and voice actor and an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. He holds a BS in theater arts from Bradley University and an MFA from Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
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