The Good Earth - China back to basics

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck is a classic and detailed story about a man named Wang Lang and his quest for wealth, peace and happiness during the pre-revolutionary time period in China.  In this story, Wang Lang is a determined young man who realizes the importance of land and family.  He is driven throughout his lifetime and maintains this attitude throughout the book.  O-Lan through her tragic and humble beginnings is the support that binds their family through good and bad times.  Ms. Buck took a beautiful country and its people and made it accessible to America. The way she describes the detail of the land and its people at a time of devastation made it hard for this reviewer to put the book down. Many Asian writers get wrapped up in the culture of their people then the actual story of the characters.  Buck holds on to the integrity of the characters and the country in which she lived and was able to honor this in her novel.  If you read The Good Earth years ago, it's time to read it again and if you have never read it, it is a wonderful book to start.

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Kostova’s, The Swan Thieves was an intriguing read.  It’s 561 pages and if big books don’t run you off, then The Swan Thieves is the book to read when you have time to savor the contents.  The Swan Thieves is a historical fiction/love story/mystery.  Kostova takes you into the world of art, the love of it and the obsession of it.  There are four main characters.  Robert, who as a brilliant painter goes mad and tries to destroy a painting at the National Gallery.   Marlow is a psychiatrist, who treats Robert and tries to understand why this young man tried to destroy a painting.  Kate, Robert’s wife, is frustrated and confused about her husband’s act of violence.  Mary, a painter and teacher who may hold the key to this mystery.  Kostova is a very good descriptive writer.  The time period is from the late 1800 to 1999 just before the turn of the twenty-first century.  It takes you from Paris to the D.C area to North Carolina.  Kostova sweeps you off into a world of painters and sketchers and their love of the craft.  If you have a love for the arts or are intrigued by it, then you will love this book.  The author made this reviewer look for more information on the painters of that time.  The Swan Thieves is recommended for summer reads and book clubs.  Another book by Elizabeth Kostova is her first novel called The Historian.  It’s about the history of vampires and it’s a book I would also recommend.

You can find this book by clicking on the links below:

http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/

http://www.murderbythebook.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.amazon.com/