A Tale of Wu

I spent most of the weekend reading Pearl S. Buck's Pavilion of Women. In fact I found it difficult to stop reading and was really sorry when I got to the last page.

However, I don't think I will read anymore Buck. I had a look at the other books I've "inherited" from a colleague (whose father was a big fan of the author: she's given me his entire collection and there must be more than 25 books in the bag) and they all look really depressing, which, I find, books about and set in China tend to be.

Pavilion has its depressing moments too, but I found most of it fascinating. The book is set in 1930s China, although the family it focuses on might as well be living 200, 100 or 50 years earlier - so strictly do they adhere to feudal practices and traditions that they seem to be stuck in a time warp.

Outside influences begin to creep in though: two sons marry girls who have been educated in Shanghai and a foreign priest is hired as tutor for one of the young men.

But the real changes that take place begin when Madame Wu, the 40-year-old clan matriach, decides, on her birthday, that her husband must take a concubine. This decision sets off a chain of events that completely alter life as the Wu family know it.

I Googled Pavilion of Women a few minutes ago and the results made me realise that I'd seen a dramatisation of the book. Read reviews of the film here and here. From what I remember of it, it's as dreadful as the reviewers say, not to mention totally unlike the original story.

I say stick to the novel and once you've read it, steer clear of the film cos it will just annoy you to watch the way they've butchered Buck's book.

Father Andre: What's that sound, Madame Wu?
Madame Wu: Oh, it's nothing to worry about, Father - just Pearl S. Buck spinning in her grave.

Comments

[de]

I clicked to you through Typepad... it's funny that you have an entry on Buck, as I watched part of the Good Earth this weekend. I remember reading that book and thinking how sad it was.
I think life would be depressing in a communist country though.

Cool site, and congratulations on the birth of your newest member of the family last year! (About page)

I also love The Places You Will Go by Suess!