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Kinfolk

Pearl S. Buck

Paperback | Pages: 408 pages

Rating: 4.18 | 788 Users | 53 Reviews

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Original Title:	Kinfolk
ISBN:	1559211563 (ISBN13: 9781559211567)
Edition Language:	English

Narrative Concering Books Kinfolk

Being a full-blooded, American-born Hungarian whose parents came to America from Budapest to escape Communism; I am familiar with the struggle of feeling ties to a home country but also wanting to adapt to the ways of the current home. Pearl S. Buck presents this theme in her novel, “Kinfolk”.

In “Kinfolk”, Buck follows the lives of Dr. Liang, his wife, and children (James, Mary, Peter, and Louise) as Dr. Liang and his wife put aside their “old ways” of living having moved from China to New York City during Communist rule but having to grasp the desire of the eldest children (James and Mary) to return to China. The family becomes divided between “old and new” and “East and West”.

Buck narrates this story quite well mixing her usual peaceful, Zen-like writing combined with a somewhat modern feel which artfully brings the conflict of the novel to life both in terms of plot and prose. This stylistic device is successfully used making the text well-paced, approachable, and relatable. Buck masterfully encourages page-turning.

“Kinfolk” has a classic literature essence as each character is well-developed and rounded; letting Buck dive into detail involving the personal lives and strands. Sometimes, this can be too detailed but the sort of stream of consciousness and literary fiction qualities are well-dispersed with enough dialogue mingled throughout to help the reader not be bogged down. A warning, though: Chapters are somewhat long so small breaks in between may be necessary for some readers.

Once James (and eventually the other siblings) relocates to China; Buck alternates narration and points-of-view between characters and of life in America occurring simultaneously with that in China. This is not overdone or confusing and Buck steadily maintains the pace and focuses on the character studies. In fact, it is quite remarkable how well Buck understands each character, revealing inner psyches. “Kinfolk” is a moving story while also encourages the reader to ‘think’ and explore his/her own feelings.

“Kinfolk” is also infused with a hearty dose of philosophy and insight. This is not forced upon the reader and subtly fits into the storyline but thickens both the plot and substance. Buck masterfully weaves these intricacies together into a seamless text. This depth is carried by surprising and intriguing events which the reader never expects. “Kinfolk” is calm but also unpredictable at the same time.

The conclusion of “Kinfolk” is somewhat disappointing and anticlimactic. On the other hand, it represents life in an honest fashion, maintains Buck’s tone, and fits the story therefore making sense and is reasonable.

“Kinfolk” is a strong novel and one of my top favorites from Buck. It definitely feels much more contemporary than her other works and yet bridges the gaps of meaning. “Kinfolk” is suggested for avid Buck readers and fans of Chinese-cultural novels.

List Containing Books Kinfolk

Title	:	Kinfolk
Author	:	Pearl S. Buck
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Anniversary Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 408 pages
Published	:	January 1st 2004 by Moyer Bell and its subsidiaries (first published 1949)
Categories	:	Fiction. Historical. Historical Fiction. Cultural. China. Classics. Asia

Rating Containing Books Kinfolk

Ratings: 4.18 From 788 Users | 53 Reviews

Judge Containing Books Kinfolk

Pearl Buck is a classic writer and it is easy to see why. Pearl Buck grew up in China during her formative years with missionary parents. She knows the hearts of the Chinese people, both the upper class landowners and the peasants.In the Liang family there is a description of the "roles" in society for men and women in the parents, and the four children who grew up in New York, James, Louise, Mary, and Peter. Louise: Louise seemed to have no life except as she drew it from others. No one noticed

This was in so many ways a 5-star book. But--like "Peony," also by Buck--it took a long time for me to get really into it--which is a funny thing to say, because I cared about the characters almost from the beginning.The main thing I couldn't get past was in connection with Peter's death--shot in the head and tossed into a well with other corpses. After "several weeks" James (the older brother) is notified Peter hasn't been attending classes. He sends a letter to his father and receives one

Pearl Buck was the first "adult" writer that I read. And I was amazed at the way she described her characters, their circumstances and landscape. I felt like I was watching a movie in my mind instead of reading a book. Later on I realised that this is a "normal" effect of good books!In the meantime, I've lost count of the number of books I've read by Mrs Buck, but they still manage to engage me. Above all, her characters always feel like having something unique, something in between cultures

Being a full-blooded, American-born Hungarian whose parents came to America from Budapest to escape Communism; I am familiar with the struggle of feeling ties to a home country but also wanting to adapt to the ways of the current home. Pearl S. Buck presents this theme in her novel, Kinfolk. In Kinfolk, Buck follows the lives of Dr. Liang, his wife, and children (James, Mary, Peter, and Louise) as Dr. Liang and his wife put aside their old ways of living having moved from China to New York City

I absolutely loved this book. It beautifully depicts the lives and conflicts of a Chinese family who emigrated to America in the late 1940s and the Chinese -American young people who returned to China during this period of great upheaval.I couldn't have read it at a better time. Over a month ago I went to an interesting lecture about China from after WWII to the present, and then read a biography of an American who was in China during those years and married into an aristocratic Chinese family.

Love, love, love Pearl S. Buck's writing!!! This book was on my Kindle and I had already read it once. But needed something to do while waiting for an appointment. Ended up reading the entire thing again!! If you liked Good Earth, you will like this one as well.

Excellent book set in a particular place and time, China in the mid-1940s. The war with Japan seems to have ended and the struggle between the KMT (Nationalist) remnants and communists is ongoing, but largely in the background. Much of China remains peasantry. The story centers on one extended family and the trials and travails of four of that family who return to China while it is effectively disintegrating. It was a bit of a slow read for me in part because I wanted to savor it and in part