description: This tells the poignant tale of a Chinese farmer and his family in old agrarian China. The humble Wang Lung glories in the soil he works, nurturing the land as it nurtures him and his family. Nearby, the nobles of the House of Hwang consider themselves above the land and its workers; but they will soon meet their own downfall.Hard times come upon Wang Lung and his family when flood and drought force them to seek work in the city. The working people riot, breaking into the homes of the rich and forcing them to flee. When Wang Lung shows mercy to one noble and is rewarded, he begins to rise in the world, even as the House of Hwang falls.
language: English
title: The Good Earth
titlecomplete: The Good Earth
characters: Ching, Wang Lung, Lotus, Cuckoo, Nung En (Elder Son), Nung Wen (Younger Son), O-lan, Pear Blossom
genres: Asia, Historical Fiction, Historical, Novels, School, Literature, Classic Literature, Classics, China, Fiction
ratings_count: 245784
places: China
series: House of Earth
awards: awardedAt: -1199203200000
name: Pulitzer Prize
category: Novel, awardedAt: -1104508800000
name: William Dean Howells Medal
publisher: Books on Tape