Customer Reviews

My Several Worlds

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Pearl Buck sensitively bridges the gap between the US and Asia as she explains her life's experience living in China during the Communist Revolution where the ideas for her books were born. An incredible book for women ! Pearl is like a pillar of strenghth. As a Woman, mother, and Christian; she finds hope and faith and compassion in times of dispair. Her reports and biography are intellectually satisfying. A must read...perfect snowy day book.

Not a chronological autobiography, "My Several Worlds" is exactly that--Pearl Buck, born in the US, raised in China, tells us about her life abroad and at home. Her missionary parents took her to China as a small child, and she traveled the world later. She only hints at very personal and painful events: the birth of her daughter with PKU (Phenylketonuria, a disease that causes retardation if not controlled with a special diet--unknown at that time) and a divorce as well. We do learn about the founding of her Amerasian orphan adoption agency, placing the unwanted children of Korean women and American soldiers, about her Nobel Prize for "The Good Earth", and about life in China from the end of the Boxer Rebellion and the reign of the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi to the republic of Chiang Kai-Shek before the Communist Revolution.

If you have read any of Pearl Buck's novels, this is a must-read to provide valuable background for the author's life.

Put away your history texts and listen to a first-hand account of worldwide drama unfolding at the most interesting period of this century. A most engrossing and enlightening tale.

Just finished Pearl S. Buck's memoir "My Several Worlds," written in 1954. It is one of those books where you learn something on every page.

Mrs. Buck was very progressive in her views on a variety of topics, from the trivial -- for example, kids are over-scheduled these days and aren't given time for creative play (this written in 1954) and we should be eating more whole grains, to the history-altering: the USA should stay out of Indo-china (yep, 1954 again). Her understanding of the American psyche and how it could only lead to missed opportunities with China and Asia is spot-on (as it did). Her plea for acceptance of mixed-race and out-of wedlock children is heart-breaking as some progress has been made but oh the emotional pain.

Some stuff makes you wince (the military is a cause of much homosexuality because the sexes need to mix) but overall she is a very modern thinker.

Her writing is not easy reading. I think it is a bit dense for today's tastes but if you slow down it is to be savored.

From reading a review of the new cultural biographyPearl S. Buck: A Cultural Biography of Mrs. Buck I was sad to learn that she was VERY unhappy in the first marriage, her father was a misogynistic jerk and that she suffered from depression. You would not know this from "My Several Worlds." You would think she was the most positive person on earth. You learn through clues that her daughter is developmentally disabled ("the child did not grow") and that her first marriage was not happy. i guess people were polite back then and did not share their troubles with the world (and cable networks didn't exist with so much airtime to fill.)

I am so glad I read this book. I love her and admire her for her contribution to humanity. I wish there were more people like her! Read this book and enjoy!!!

as her latest book club selection. I read the book ages ago, for school, and it's one of my favorite classics.

But I hope Oprah choosing that book now will awaken interest in this Nobel Prize-winning author's other works, particularly this autobiography, and her short stories.

Buck is such an accessible writer, and she lived such a fascinating life. This is a book you shouldn't miss, and I also highly recommend reading as many of her short stories as you can get your hands on. (Two of my favorite collections are "The Good Deed and other Stories of Asia Past and Present," and "Fourteen Stories.")

I love Pearl S. Buck - what an amazing and fascinating life. Not her best writing (The Good Earth was my favorite) but her personal story is so unique and essential to fully appreciate her other writing. Its also a wonderful and rare peek into a key period in the history of China.

When the seller realized this item was not in as good of condition as described, they notified me and offered a fair reduced rate. The item arrived in time for Christmas. Great service!