Classics · Literary · Historical
The Good Earth
Wang Lung, a poor farmer in rural China in the early twentieth century, marries O-Lan, a kitchen slave. Through famine, hardship and rising fortune, he clings to the land that sustains the family.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1931
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 418
- Format
- Book 1 of 3 in House of Earth
Read this if you like plain, patient family stories about land, poverty and changing fortunes.
Skip this if you want complex plotting or are troubled by harsh depictions of women's lives.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Good Earth
- What is The Good Earth about?
- Wang Lung, a poor farmer in rural China in the early twentieth century, marries O-Lan, a kitchen slave. Through famine, hardship and rising fortune, he clings to the land that sustains the family.
- Who should read The Good Earth?
- Read it if you like plain, patient family stories about land, poverty and changing fortunes. Skip it if you want complex plotting or are troubled by harsh depictions of women's lives.
- How long and how fast is The Good Earth?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 418 pages, first published in 1931.
- Does The Good Earth have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Child death.
- Can I borrow The Good Earth for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Good Earth; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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| Ebook | ||
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