The Eternal Wonder
Author: Pearl S. Buck
Yes, THAT Pearl S. Buck of Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize fame.
THAT Pearl S. Buck of The Good Earth fame.
Discovered recently in Texas and returned to the literary estate to her son, Edgar S. Walsh, The Eternal Wonder might possibly be the last transcript of Buck’s life, and her 44th novel.
The Eternal Wonder begins as Randall (Rann) Colfax, immersed in his mother’s womb, begins life. Rann begins life with wonder, and emerges into a family who encourages him to seek information for its own sake. His father mentors his son, and until he dies, Rann cocoons himself in books; their gift of experience, information and imagination. As Rann’s father lies dying of cancer, he tells his son, “always wonder.”
Rann has lost his link to the world in his father. His mother does everything she can to help, but Rann’s mind has long surpassed her and he does not need her. He decides to find himself through experience, and travels to New York, England and the DMZ in Korea. Each place he discovers someone who teaches him the experiences of life, wisdom, sexual pleasure and finally – love.
The woman Rann loves is bicultural Stephanie Kung, who lives with her Chinese father. Her American mother abandoned them early on, and Stephanie is raised Chinese, although she cannot accept that she is more than Chinese, and less than Chinese, and fits in no where. Stephanie’s father wants Rann to marry Stephanie and to leave his fortune to Rann, for he finds Rann the perfect companion for beautiful, brilliant Stephanie. Stephanie refuses, stating that she cannot have children that will be bicultural also, and suffer as she has. Here, Rann and Buck have met their match, as Pearl S. Buck drills her theme of mixed heritage into this brilliant story.
Passionate, compelling and truly Pearl S. Buck The Eternal Wonder seems unfinished, entirely possible since the manuscript was found posthumously. However, even unfinished, Buck’s Rann and Stephanie grab and deliver us into the eternal wonder that is Buck’s writing.
This is a miracle novel, and one not to be missed.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 5
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own
The Eternal Wonder: A Novel
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