review - the good earth

In keeping with reading good literature, my wife and I joined a book club and first on the list was The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.  It tells the story of a rural farmer in 19th century China as he struggles with bounty and famine, floods and droughts, marriage and parenting.  Life, basically.  It was an interesting book as the characters were all very human complete with their shortcomings and flaws.  But perhaps most interesting to me was the take from the book club.  Most of the members are women and nearly 80% of them completely and utterly bashed the male protagnonist while defending the female protagonist despite them both having flaws and insecurities.  I, on the other hand, saw them both as being unique individuals with neither being the better person.  It made me wonder what being an OB would be like being around that much estrogen.