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The Patriot

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Pearl S. Buck's "The Patriot" came out in 1939. From the very first, the novel riveted me to the characters. Reading the book almost 70 years later, we of course have the historical perspective of Mao Tse Tung's communist revolution that came to rule China in 1947. The portrayal of Chiang Kai-shek who was eventually forced to Taiwan as a shrewd politician who takes over as a revolutionary only to oppose the communists was extremely interesting background. I also greatly appreciated Buck's examination of the difference between Japanese and Chinese culture. The romantic love story between I-wan and Tama created the sweetness in the book. [Before I discuss plot, those who would prefer not to see spoilers should stop at this point.]

The story begins as I-wan is a young adult. He is thrown into jail for reading revolutionary literature where he meets En-lan. Because I-wan's father is a wealthy banker, he is able to secure his own and En-lan's release. The backstory from En-lan of the Chinese prisons and the routine executions of young men for political reasons is chilling. I-wan becomes involved in the revolutionary movement as his older brother I-ko becomes involved in the fast life of gambling and women. The house maid or slave Peony is told about I-wan's politics. I-wan's political activities put him on a death list which results in his banishment to Japan, while I-ko must be exiled to Germany for stealing from the bank.

This sets up Part Two of the book where I-wan is taken to the house of one of his father's associates, Mr. Muraki, who gives him board & room and starts him off in their family business. Muraki's daughter Tama graduates university and is prepared to marry an unattractive General Seki, just as I-wan realizes he has fallen in love with her. Tama's older brother Akio who is very businesslike has refused his father's request of an arranged marriage and lives with his girlfriend. I-wan hopes that Tama will refuse to marry the old military man. War intervenes in China. Tama's brother Bungi serves and returns home a changed man. One drunken night, he reveals his secrets to I-wan. This also serves to open I-wan's eyes that the Japanese papers do not report objectively about what is happening in China. After Akio's suicide, Tama also makes it clear to her father that she will not marry General Seki. I-wan and Tama's marriage is arranged through the traditional channels and begrudgingly blessed by his family. Two sons, Jiro and Ganjiro soon are playing about I-wan's home. But increasing war rumors circulate. I-wan meets I-ko at the harbor in Japan. I-ko urges him to return home and fight for his country. This is one of the most interesting parts of the character I-wan who loves his wife and children, but regards his Chinese nationality as important. It leads to his decision to depart for China to fight the Japanese.

Part Three reunites I-wan with his school buddy En-lan and the now revolutionary Peony who married En-lan. They fight in the mountains as communists against Chaing Kai-shek. An agreement is reached that puts them all on the same side to fight the Japanese. Differences in war strategies come to the fore as the Chinese adopt a more traditional guerilla war. I-wan comes to appreciate the sense of order in Japan which results in less chaos and criminality. The novel concludes as Chaing Kai-shek informs I-wan that he had I-wan's brother I-ko executed for a criminal. We get hints of how I-wan will bring his family to China to live in his family's land in Western China.

This is the first novel I've read by Pearl S. Buck. Her command of story, character and the broad universal themes of war & peace, chaos & order, duty to country vs. duty to family, makes this a breathtaking adventure. Buck is a master storyteller. "The Patriot" is an extremely satisfying reading experience. Bravo!

I have rarely read a book that portrays the insights into the psyche of dream forged, loved and given up, as well as this book. And, the depiction of the patriot and his love of country is one that anyone will connect with.

This title is little-known these days; I don't believe it's currently in print. Such a shame: this is truly a deeply humane, quietly-touching masterpiece.