" 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