Syosset Discusses 'The Good Earth'

Betty Spectra of Woodbury read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck when she was a teenager. Years later she was thrilled to discuss the story's characters in detail with fellow readers during a classic book discussion at the Syosset Public Library last Wednesday.

"I loved reading The Good Earth more the second time around," Spectra said. "I am a die-hard Pearl Buck fan. I could read The Good Earth for a third time. The characters in the book stimulate me. I even got the opportunity to visit Buck's home and see her foundation. Pearl Buck has done amazing things." 

Featured on Oprah's Book Club, The Good Earth tells the story of peasant farmer Wang Lung, his lifelong relationship with the land and the family he creates with his wife O-Lan.

Led by Readers' Services librarian Jackie Ranaldo, attendees spoke about why they liked the book. Most enjoyed the aspect of Buck's telling the story from a male's point of view. Ranaldo is also a fan of The Good Earth, as she has read it three times.

"My first time was in high school, then two years ago and then recently. It's an excellent book," Ranaldo said. 

In addition to discussing the novel, Ranaldo shared personal history about the author. Born in West Virginia in the late 1800s and raised in China, Buck was the first American woman to win both the Nobel and Pulitzer Prizes. Founded in 1949, Buck established Welcome House, the first international, interracial adoption agency in the United States.

For more information about free programs at the library, call 516-921-7161 or visit www.syossetlibrary.org.