What readers think of Pearl of China, plus links to write your own review.

It is very difficult to write books putting actions and words into the mouths of actual historical figures. Few authors do it well. Pearl of China is an exception. Not only do the characters feel complete and real, but the author managed to transmit a feeling that it was a real memoir from a real woman who had actually known Pearl Buck. While Buck is certainly a pivotal character in the book, the real strength of the story is an exploration of the descent of China into Maoism and the persecution of dissenters. I did wonder, throughout, whether the narrator had been a real person, and how many of the actions and people she described were real - and whether this was more of a history couched in fiction than pure fiction. This uncertainty is the book's strength - although I wish that there were some note at the beginning or end to explain where fiction and history live in the story. Was there really a Willow? Not knowing much about Buck or China, I don't know. On the other hand, I am now inspired to find out - which may be the highest recommendation I can give.

“Pearl of China” offers a look at the life of Pearl S. Buck, the first woman to win the Noble Prize for Literature for her novels of China. Using Buck’s fictional Chinese friend, Willow Yee as the view point, we are offered a dramatic view of a turbulent time in China’s history. Anchee Min, in her youth, was forced to denounce Pearl Buck as an American imperialist and it wasn’t until she read Buck’s “The Good Earth” did she realize the love that Buck held for China. This novel then, is a search for redemption for Anchee Min – this is the setting in which I read the book, and as a result was more deeply affected by it. This is a very respectful and beautifully written tale about a marvelous woman and her beloved China. After reading “Pearl of China”, I immediately picked up and enjoyed my old copy of “The Good Earth”.

This novel was not only a fictional biography of Pearl Buck's life but the author's actual insider's view of China as it approached and went through the red revolution.

The characters were believable and the story interesting, but to me the best part was the fascinating "behind the scenes" look at the coming changes to China.

I thought I was going to read - in a fictional way - about Pearl Buck's life by reading "Pearl of China", but the main character in this book is rather China. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about Pearl Buck, the incredible woman, the writer. Pearl's lifelong friend Willow is the other incredible woman in this book, her strength, her courage.
However, I thought some parts of the book was like reading "Woman from Shangai".
A good read.

What a wonderful story! As a lover of Pearl S. Buck, I truly enjoyed the imagined story of her life. Anchee Min, the author, was made to renounce the writings of Pearl S. Buck because she grew up in China during Mao's Cultural Revolution. She was told that Buck's writings denounced China and her people. Later she was able to read The Good Earth and realized that the statement was not true and became fascinated by Pearl S. Buck and her stories of China. She began to imagine the experiences Buck must have had growing up in China that would inspire her to write as she did. Out of her imaginings grew this book.

The story is believable. At times, I found myself responding to it as if the events really happened. The words are beautiful, especially the poetry that is interspersed throughout the book. Pearl and her friendship with Willow Yee seemed very real to me as did all of the characters. Anchee Min developed the personalities of each character to make them very real and believable.

I highly recommend this book, especially anyone who has enjoyed the stories developed by Buck about the people of China.