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Product Description
Book Description
On her fortieth birthday, Madame Wu carries out a decision she has been planning for a long time: she tells her husband that after twenty-four years their physical life together is now over and she wishes him to take a second wife. The House of Wu, one of the oldest and most revered in China, is thrown into an uproar by her decision, but Madame Wu will not be dissuaded and arranges for a young country girl to come take her place in bed. Elegant and detached, Madame Wu orchestrates this change as she manages everything in the extended household of more than sixty relatives and servants. Alone in her own quarters, she relishes her freedom and reads books she has never been allowed to touch. When her son begins English lessons, she listens, and is soon learning from the "foreigner," a free-thinking priest named Brother Andre, who will change her life. Few books raise so many questions about the nature and roles of men and women, about self-discipline and happiness.
About the Author
A Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer, Buck spent most of her life in China. The first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China and for her biographical masterpieces."
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
IN SEARCH OF ONES SOUL,
By
This review is from: Pavilion of Women (Paperback)
This is no easy novel to comprehend and will take many readings to fully grasp its messages. In my quest to understand asian cultures, this novel is unique in providing insights as to how the wealthy Chinese lived. Typically, respect for the ancients, elders, family and tradition are all borne out but Pearl's emphasis here is chiefly on the parent-child-grandchild-servant roles.The reader could interpret the Pavilion of Women in three ways, individually or collectively. One could be the ancestoral women who preceeded MAdame Wu in this ancestoral home; the other could be Madame Wu, the daughters-in-law and the concubines; lastly, it could refer to the 20 orphan girls Madam WU decided to care for after being influenced by Brother ANdre. MAdame WU has never loved her husband to whom she has devoted 40 years of life. She has vowed when she turns 40yo she will free her soul to search for its own happiness and meaning. However, embedded and steeped in old customs and beliefs, she advises her daughters-in-law how to live and treat their husbands ignoring the fact that living as she did, she was not happy nor free. The household is realistic to the reader through series of events which could plausibly occur in any household. When all the sons, their wives, Mr. Wu's concubines are tossed into the mix, many real-life situations arise. At 40 years of age she had thought her duty over and she coud be free. She also treated all men as body only but through Bros. ANdres, Fengmo (3rd son) shows her "that she had given birth to a man who was more than a male (p.169), Bros Andres lead MAdame Wu to see how instead of freeing her soul to do as it wishes (search the universe for answers in her library of books) she should "Instead of your own freedom, think how you can free others." (p.201). This opens the door of her mind into rethinking all her old thoughts so eventually she says; " I shall no longer live out of duty but out of love." (215) Her soul free of ancient traditions and thinking, is now free to explore, understand and extend itself to serve others out of love. This is the power of this novel - love - in the setting of a wealthy landlady.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thought-provoking gem of literature,
By A Customer
This review is from: Pavilion of Women (Paperback)
The Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck is a true gem of literature. It follows the story of Madame Wu, a respectable and beautiful Chinese noble, who, on her fortieth birthday, decides that she has fufilled her physical needs to her husband. Her decision causes an uproar in the household, making everyone, including herself, restless. When she hires a foreign priest, Brother Andre, to come teach her son, he introduces a new world to her through his thought-provoking preaching and words of wisdom. Through him, Madame Wu learns to make peace with herself by helping others. This book really made me think about my morals and outlook on life. That is very rare in a book. It is simply wonderful.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sensational!,
By Marion "dragonfly80@hotmail.com" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Pavilion of Women (Paperback)
I love and treasure this book immeasurably. Every time I find a copy at a used book sale, I buy it and send it to my one of my women friends. Women everywhere should read this spectacular, beautifully written story of the independent, sassy Madame Wu. I thought Ms. Buck could never top "The Good Earth" but this one did it for me. I won't give a book report, just my humble opinion that this book should be on the reading list of every woman on earth....even my 20-something daughters loved the story.
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