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Pearl of China Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,001 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An internationally best-selling author, Anchee Min draws upon her Chinese heritage to pen lush historical epics. Here she transports listeners to the Far East for a fictionalized account of acclaimed author Pearl Buck's youth. Arriving in late 19th-century China with her missionary parents, Buck is soon fascinated by her new home and strikes up a friendship with a young Chinese girl named Willow. The two become inseparable even as civil war, failed relationships, and world conflicts threaten all they hold dear.
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"This was a great historical ficition book. I'm glad I finished it a week before leaving for China to refresh/learn about Chinese history. I didn't love the writing at times, but it was a wondeful story about friendship that spanned decades."
— Katie (4 out of 5 stars)
Pearl of China Listener Reviews
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" I had just finished "the Good Earth" before reading this book, and had only recently discovered Pearl Buck and her remarkable writing. I enjoyed this story enough, but was quite disappointed that the book isn't really about Pearl Buck, but some fictional lives she touched in China. "Pearl Buck through the eyes of the Chinese," according to the author. I'd read Anchee Min before (The Red Azalea) and enjoyed her memoir. But I think I would have appreciated reading a bona fide Pearl Buck biography more, because she did lead a fascinating life. Too bad we didn't get very much of it here. "
— Susan, 2/14/2014 -
" didn't finish. Insipid writing. "
— Janet, 2/8/2014 -
" Interesting in the history of that period in China, but writing a bit plain and forced at times. "
— Sandy, 1/27/2014 -
" Gave me a better insight and understanding of Pearl S. Buck's writing, but I found the narration slow and tedious. The perspective is of Pearl's childhood friend rather than Pearl herself, which distances the intended topic from the reader. "
— Maryrhona, 12/30/2013 -
" I recommend this book to Dolly, I know she would love it! "
— Meg, 12/23/2013 -
" The first part of the book is lovely, but the historical fiction depiction of Pearl Buck gets lost about half way through. The Cultural Revolution and significant events in Chinese history are mashed through without relevance to Pearl;one must suspend reality to follow the fictional characters used to tell Pearl's story. However, the last chapter and visitation of Pearl's grave brought me to tears thinking about how Pearl was Chinese but trapped in America, and thankfully so. "
— Candace, 12/17/2013 -
" A fictionalized biography of Pearl Buck. I learned a lot about China. "
— Jody, 12/14/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I am now reading The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, who is the Pearl talked about in the book Pearl of China. "
— Ladybird, 12/4/2013 -
" What a pleasure to read after loving The Good Earth. This book moves quickly and is fun to discuss! "
— Susie, 12/3/2013 -
" It was a good read with some insight into Buck's life. Although, at times I felt it was somewhat dramatic. The writing was well done, yet simple. All in all, it was a good book about friendship, love, injustice and faith. "
— Genevieve, 11/18/2013 -
" I love an interview I heard with Anchee Min talking about how she had not been allowed to read anything by Pearl S. Buck in communist China. If you loved The Good Earth, this is a nice companion, but the writing isn't as rich. "
— Dana, 11/12/2013 -
" I just love Anchee Min. I consider her one of the worlds foremost talented writers "
— Mark, 10/10/2013 -
" What a remarkable woman Pearl Buck was! "
— Charlene, 10/5/2013 -
" Very good book about Pearl Buck "
— Bella, 9/9/2013 -
" Powerful story of Pearl Buck and her Chinese friend, Willow. Beautiful and heartbreaking story sheds light on women in China, the Cultural Revolution, and especially the extraordinary life of Pearl S Buck. "
— Michele, 9/5/2013 -
" This book allowed me to get caught up in the life of a Chinese woman who was friends with Pearl Buck as she was growing up. "
— Sarah, 9/1/2013 -
" Beautiful story of an enduring friendship through many struggles and much oppression. Well written. "
— Leeann, 10/20/2011 -
" Would have been better if the story didn't mention Pearl Buck all the time. The protagonist's life was interesting without Buck. "
— Tkal, 9/24/2011 -
" An interesting read, especially when coupled with the non-fiction "Pearl Buck in China." "
— Norma, 6/26/2011 -
" I had been reading Great House by Nicole Krauss and after 150 pages I decided I couldn't take it any longer and decided to turn to this book which was awesome. I loved the storyline and I read it within the weekend. "
— Mindy, 6/12/2011 -
" Loved this novel about Pearl Buck growing up in China and while fiction, feel that a lot of this could be true. Made me want to know more about the time period and made me angry at the way people are treated. This was an audio version. "
— Melinda, 6/3/2011 -
" Interesting historical fiction about Pearl Buck and her life in China and what life was like for the people of China living under warlords and Mao. I liked hearing the story from Willow; that being a Chinese perspective. "
— Joy, 6/1/2011 -
" This one might be a good book club pick if the ladies want to talk about China or Pearl S Buck. I thought it was interesting and an easy read. "
— Judi, 5/27/2011 -
" This was a captivating description of China during a tumultuous transition period. Don't expect a TON of Pearl S. Buck, but do expect to get a great view of the China that she knew. "
— Becca, 5/25/2011 -
" Thought it would be more about Pearl Buck. But it wa still good. "
— Mary, 5/23/2011 -
" Historical fiction...Pearl S. Buck and Chinese friends, Communist China, Christianity in China. Involved, well-written. "
— Doris, 5/22/2011
About Anchee Min
Anchee Min was born in Shanghai in 1957. At seventeen she was sent to a labor collective, where a talent scout for Madame Mao’s Shanghai Film Studio recruited her to work as a movie actress. She moved to the United States in 1984. Her first memoir, Red Azalea, was an international bestseller, published in twenty countries. She has since published six novels, most recently Pearl of China.
About Angela Lin
Angela Lin, an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA degree in drama. A critically acclaimed actress, her credits include The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU, and As the World Turns, among others.