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A Mãe
Nesta obra, Pearl S. Buck descreve de um modo quase pictórico a vida simples e rude do povo Chinês, numa época que é pouco conhecida. A narrativa vívida e pormenorizada permite que o leitor capte toda a simplicidade e intensidade dos tempos descritos em A Mãe.
Ao penetrar no espírito da camponesa, Pearl S. Buck dá a conhecer os sentimentos mais profundos da mente e do coração de uma mulher e de uma mãe. Fá-lo de uma maneira comovente, enérgica e mesmo violenta. A personagem, sem qualquer dúvida estoica, assume uma grandeza excecional pela forma como encara e ultrapassa os obstáculos que a vida lhe coloca. Uma vida longa, árdua e solitária.
Ao penetrar no espírito da camponesa, Pearl S. Buck dá a conhecer os sentimentos mais profundos da mente e do coração de uma mulher e de uma mãe. Fá-lo de uma maneira comovente, enérgica e mesmo violenta. A personagem, sem qualquer dúvida estoica, assume uma grandeza excecional pela forma como encara e ultrapassa os obstáculos que a vida lhe coloca. Uma vida longa, árdua e solitária.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1933
957 people are currently reading
3870 people want to read
About the author
Pearl S. Buck
785 books3,035 followersPearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck was an American writer and novelist. She is best known for The Good Earth, the best-selling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932 and which won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938, Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China" and for her "masterpieces", two memoir-biographies of her missionary parents.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
Buck was born in West Virginia, but in October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. As the daughter of missionaries and later as a missionary herself, Buck spent most of her life before 1934 in Zhenjiang, with her parents, and in Nanjing, with her first husband. She and her parents spent their summers in a villa in Kuling, Mount Lu, Jiujiang, and it was during this annual pilgrimage that the young girl decided to become a writer. She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, Virginia, then returned to China. From 1914 to 1932, after marrying John Lossing Buck she served as a Presbyterian missionary, but she came to doubt the need for foreign missions. Her views became controversial during the Fundamentalist–Modernist controversy, leading to her resignation. After returning to the United States in 1935, she married the publisher Richard J. Walsh and continued writing prolifically. She became an activist and prominent advocate of the rights of women and racial equality, and wrote widely on Chinese and Asian cultures, becoming particularly well known for her efforts on behalf of Asian and mixed-race adoption.
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December 15, 2023
مادر کتاب ارزشمندی از پرل باک نویسنده آمریکایی ایست ، خانم باک که بیش از 40 سال در چین زندگی کرده در این کتاب تسلط عمیق خود را از فرهنگ و جامعه چین نشان داده . او توصیفات زنده و رنگارنگی از چین ارائه داده و بخش های کوتاهی از سنتها، رسوم و ارزشهای چین را به تصویر کشیده است.
مادر، داستان زندگی یک رعیت زن در چین است و تلاش های باور نکردنی او را برای بقا خانواده نشان می دهد . خانم نویسنده نه برای مادر و نه برای هیچ یک از رعیت های دیگر نامی انتخاب نکرده و در سرتاسر داستان از آنها با نسبت های خانوادگی مانند پسر عمو ، یا دختر عمو نام برده و این گونه حقیر بودن رعیت در چین را نشان داده است .
خانم باک با استادی زیستن در روستا را به تصویر کشیده ، زندگی که گرچه سخت و طاقت فرسا به نظر می رسد اما با مهارت خانم باک ، سرزنده و پویا و بسیار واقعی به نظر می رسد . ستون این زندگی را باید کار در زمین های ارباب دانست . کاری که هیچ گاه تمام نخواهد شد و درآمد این کار تنها برای تامین غذا کافی به نظر می رسد .
دشواری کار را برای مادر باید دوچندان دانست، بخش زیادی از کار او پس از رسیدن به خانه شروع می شود ، وظایف سختی که آشپزی هر روزه و نگه داری از مادر شوهر سالخورده و کودکان کم سن و سال را شامل می شود . تقدیر برای مادر گرچه تنهایی رقم زده اما او با اراده ای سخت و آهنین هم در برابر مشکلات و دشواری های زندگی و هم در برابر روستاییان و جامعه محدود و بسته روستا مقاومت کرده واز فرزندان خود در برابر توفان مشکلات نگه داری و پاسداری می کند .
تاریخ داستان مادر ، احتمالا باید قبل از انقلاب کمونیستی بوده باشد ، گرچه در کتاب می توان چگونگی شروع انقلاب و پدید آمدن تشکیلات کمونیستی را دید اما نمی توان مادر پرل باک را مانند مادر ماکسیم گورکی یک کتاب سیاسی و یا انتقادی تند از شرایط موجود دانست .
در پایان کتاب پرل باک را باید تاکیدی دیگر بر نقش بسیار مهم زنان و البته در این کتاب مادران در زندگی فرزندان خود و ساختن جامعه دانست . با آن که مادر و دیگر زنان کتاب ، سنتی هستند اما آنها با حضوری برجسته در زندگی روزمره، ارزشمندی و قدرت بالای خود را در شکلدهی به آینده و ایجاد دگرگونی در جامعه نشان می دهند .
مادر، داستان زندگی یک رعیت زن در چین است و تلاش های باور نکردنی او را برای بقا خانواده نشان می دهد . خانم نویسنده نه برای مادر و نه برای هیچ یک از رعیت های دیگر نامی انتخاب نکرده و در سرتاسر داستان از آنها با نسبت های خانوادگی مانند پسر عمو ، یا دختر عمو نام برده و این گونه حقیر بودن رعیت در چین را نشان داده است .
خانم باک با استادی زیستن در روستا را به تصویر کشیده ، زندگی که گرچه سخت و طاقت فرسا به نظر می رسد اما با مهارت خانم باک ، سرزنده و پویا و بسیار واقعی به نظر می رسد . ستون این زندگی را باید کار در زمین های ارباب دانست . کاری که هیچ گاه تمام نخواهد شد و درآمد این کار تنها برای تامین غذا کافی به نظر می رسد .
دشواری کار را برای مادر باید دوچندان دانست، بخش زیادی از کار او پس از رسیدن به خانه شروع می شود ، وظایف سختی که آشپزی هر روزه و نگه داری از مادر شوهر سالخورده و کودکان کم سن و سال را شامل می شود . تقدیر برای مادر گرچه تنهایی رقم زده اما او با اراده ای سخت و آهنین هم در برابر مشکلات و دشواری های زندگی و هم در برابر روستاییان و جامعه محدود و بسته روستا مقاومت کرده واز فرزندان خود در برابر توفان مشکلات نگه داری و پاسداری می کند .
تاریخ داستان مادر ، احتمالا باید قبل از انقلاب کمونیستی بوده باشد ، گرچه در کتاب می توان چگونگی شروع انقلاب و پدید آمدن تشکیلات کمونیستی را دید اما نمی توان مادر پرل باک را مانند مادر ماکسیم گورکی یک کتاب سیاسی و یا انتقادی تند از شرایط موجود دانست .
در پایان کتاب پرل باک را باید تاکیدی دیگر بر نقش بسیار مهم زنان و البته در این کتاب مادران در زندگی فرزندان خود و ساختن جامعه دانست . با آن که مادر و دیگر زنان کتاب ، سنتی هستند اما آنها با حضوری برجسته در زندگی روزمره، ارزشمندی و قدرت بالای خود را در شکلدهی به آینده و ایجاد دگرگونی در جامعه نشان می دهند .
July 9, 2024
يتخذ المؤلف عادة موقفاً محدداً تجاه شخوص قصته. فنلمس من خلال السطور كرهه لشخصية ما وتحيزه أو محبته لأخرى.
في رواية "الأم" تنقل بيرل بك بشكل تسجيلي محايد تفاصيل حياة كاملة عاشتها اسرة ريفية. تروي الأحداث وتصف مشاعر الأبطال بدون أن نسمع صوت المؤلف المعتاد الذي يخبرنا عن غايته ومقصده مما كتبه.
حياة تضج وتصرخ بالظلم. ظلم الفقر والجهل والتحامل على النساء.
الأم مظلومة وهى تجهل أن ما يحدث لها كامرأة هو ظلم. أن تجوع لكي يأكل زوجها هو ظلم تتعامل معه على أنه وضع عادي وطبيعي. فهى امرأة ومن درجة متدنية عن الرجل كما علمها مجتمعها. فتمارس تلك الظلم بدرجات متفاوتة على ابناءها، وهى أيضا جاهلة عن متى تمد يدها بالحنان ومتى تقسو.
أرى أيضاً ان الفقر يجعل العدل والحنان رفاهية لا يقدر عليها المحروم. فطفلها ذو الأعوام العشر يجب أن يمارس دون رحمة عمل المزرعة الشاق الذي لا يقوى عليه غير الكبار. والأبنة الوسطى تُترك حتى يضيع بصرها، فلا وقت للذهاب إلى طبيب يبعد عنهم ساعات من السفر الشاق.
فالأولوية الأولى والاخيرة لتلك الأم هى أن لا يجوع ابناءها.
لم تستطع أن تمارس حنانها هذا غير في النهاية مع ابنها الأصغر عندما بدأت تخف عن كاهلها أعباء الحياة القاسية التي خاضتها. ولكن حتى هذا الحنان كان على حساب ابناءها الأخرين
مزقت قلبي حكاية الأبنة الوسطى. مزق قلبي أكثر استسلامها الذليل الصامت وهى تُعامل كقطعة أثاث مكسورة ومهملة يتساءل الجميع عن متى وكيف يتخلصوا منها.
أريد أن اعرف معنى تلك الروح التي قد يشعر معها البعض "بالبرود" والتي روت بها بيرل بك تلك القصة. هل كانت تريد أن تخبرنا بأن الظلم في أماكن وأزمنة كثيرة في هذا العالم شيئا شديد العادية ولا يحتاج إلا لصوت روائي عادي لكي نحكي به عنه؟
أو أن الظلم في كل زمان ومكان أكبر من أننا نهتم بأن نحكيه بصوت خاص نتوهم أنه قد يغير شيئا للأفضل؟
في رواية "الأم" تنقل بيرل بك بشكل تسجيلي محايد تفاصيل حياة كاملة عاشتها اسرة ريفية. تروي الأحداث وتصف مشاعر الأبطال بدون أن نسمع صوت المؤلف المعتاد الذي يخبرنا عن غايته ومقصده مما كتبه.
حياة تضج وتصرخ بالظلم. ظلم الفقر والجهل والتحامل على النساء.
الأم مظلومة وهى تجهل أن ما يحدث لها كامرأة هو ظلم. أن تجوع لكي يأكل زوجها هو ظلم تتعامل معه على أنه وضع عادي وطبيعي. فهى امرأة ومن درجة متدنية عن الرجل كما علمها مجتمعها. فتمارس تلك الظلم بدرجات متفاوتة على ابناءها، وهى أيضا جاهلة عن متى تمد يدها بالحنان ومتى تقسو.
أرى أيضاً ان الفقر يجعل العدل والحنان رفاهية لا يقدر عليها المحروم. فطفلها ذو الأعوام العشر يجب أن يمارس دون رحمة عمل المزرعة الشاق الذي لا يقوى عليه غير الكبار. والأبنة الوسطى تُترك حتى يضيع بصرها، فلا وقت للذهاب إلى طبيب يبعد عنهم ساعات من السفر الشاق.
فالأولوية الأولى والاخيرة لتلك الأم هى أن لا يجوع ابناءها.
لم تستطع أن تمارس حنانها هذا غير في النهاية مع ابنها الأصغر عندما بدأت تخف عن كاهلها أعباء الحياة القاسية التي خاضتها. ولكن حتى هذا الحنان كان على حساب ابناءها الأخرين
مزقت قلبي حكاية الأبنة الوسطى. مزق قلبي أكثر استسلامها الذليل الصامت وهى تُعامل كقطعة أثاث مكسورة ومهملة يتساءل الجميع عن متى وكيف يتخلصوا منها.
أريد أن اعرف معنى تلك الروح التي قد يشعر معها البعض "بالبرود" والتي روت بها بيرل بك تلك القصة. هل كانت تريد أن تخبرنا بأن الظلم في أماكن وأزمنة كثيرة في هذا العالم شيئا شديد العادية ولا يحتاج إلا لصوت روائي عادي لكي نحكي به عنه؟
أو أن الظلم في كل زمان ومكان أكبر من أننا نهتم بأن نحكيه بصوت خاص نتوهم أنه قد يغير شيئا للأفضل؟
August 24, 2019
4,5*
Simples, despretensioso, tocante. Gostei muito da história e descobri, finalmente, a razão pela qual Pearl S. Buck tem tantos fãs.
Simples, despretensioso, tocante. Gostei muito da história e descobri, finalmente, a razão pela qual Pearl S. Buck tem tantos fãs.
February 24, 2019
في مقدمة المترجم لهذه الرواية كان يضعها في الصدارة بين الروايات الإنسانية الكلاسيكية العظيمة، مثل روايات فيكتور هوجو مثلا. ظننت أنه يبالغ وابتسمت، وقلت أن كل دور النشر والمترجمين يصدرون كتبهم بهذه الطريقة، ولم أكن قد قرأت لهذه الكاتبة من قبل.
قرأت الرواية في يومين تقريبًا. أنا مشدوه. تعتبر تقريبًا من أروع الروايات التي قرأتها في الفترة الأخيرة.
بيرل باك كاتبة أمريكية من مواليد 1892عاشت فترة طفولتها في الصين مع أبويها المبشرين هناك. أحداث هذه الرواية وروايات أخرى للمترجمة تقع في الصين، في قرية فقيرة حيث حياة الناس معتمدة بشكل كامل على الطبيعة، وحيث يسود الفقر، وحيث يمكن فهم نمط الحياة من خلال فصول العام والزراعة.
تصوير الشخصيات وخاصة الأم (البطلة) كان رهيبًا. الرواية ناجحة جدًا من الناحية السيكولوجية حيث تقدم شخصيات مرومة بعناية فائقة، وفي الوقت ذاته يمكنك قراءة تغيرات المجتمع بجودة شديدة ايضًا، ولكن دون صوت زاعق، حتى تدخل السياسة أيضًا بسلاسة فائقة من خلال قصة الشخصيات الرئيسية.
أعظم ما في هذه الرواية البساطة الفائقة التي تجعلها تتسلل إلى قلبك دون ضجيج. ستجد أسئلة فلسفية واجتماعية ودينية وطبقية في الرواية، ولكن بسلاسة فائقة.
الترجمة كانت مذهلة. أقول هذا من خلال عملي كمترجم، لأني أجد نفسي دون عمد أتصيد أخطاء الصياغة وتزعجني جملة لم تُرتب بشكل جيد، وتُركت بترتيبها في اللغة الأجنبية دون وعي بخصوصية اللغة المترجم إليها. لم أشعر بشيء أثناء قرائتي الرواية... جمال اللغة وسلاستها كان يجبرني على الانخراط في القراءة كقاريء فقط ونسيان عملي كمترجم.
في نظري هذه الرواية هي من مستوى الروايات الخالدة... روايات هوجو وتولستوي ودستويفسكي.
الرواية صادرة عن دار آفاق من ترجمة المبدع: محمود مسعود.
اقتنوها... على ضمانتي.
قرأت الرواية في يومين تقريبًا. أنا مشدوه. تعتبر تقريبًا من أروع الروايات التي قرأتها في الفترة الأخيرة.
بيرل باك كاتبة أمريكية من مواليد 1892عاشت فترة طفولتها في الصين مع أبويها المبشرين هناك. أحداث هذه الرواية وروايات أخرى للمترجمة تقع في الصين، في قرية فقيرة حيث حياة الناس معتمدة بشكل كامل على الطبيعة، وحيث يسود الفقر، وحيث يمكن فهم نمط الحياة من خلال فصول العام والزراعة.
تصوير الشخصيات وخاصة الأم (البطلة) كان رهيبًا. الرواية ناجحة جدًا من الناحية السيكولوجية حيث تقدم شخصيات مرومة بعناية فائقة، وفي الوقت ذاته يمكنك قراءة تغيرات المجتمع بجودة شديدة ايضًا، ولكن دون صوت زاعق، حتى تدخل السياسة أيضًا بسلاسة فائقة من خلال قصة الشخصيات الرئيسية.
أعظم ما في هذه الرواية البساطة الفائقة التي تجعلها تتسلل إلى قلبك دون ضجيج. ستجد أسئلة فلسفية واجتماعية ودينية وطبقية في الرواية، ولكن بسلاسة فائقة.
الترجمة كانت مذهلة. أقول هذا من خلال عملي كمترجم، لأني أجد نفسي دون عمد أتصيد أخطاء الصياغة وتزعجني جملة لم تُرتب بشكل جيد، وتُركت بترتيبها في اللغة الأجنبية دون وعي بخصوصية اللغة المترجم إليها. لم أشعر بشيء أثناء قرائتي الرواية... جمال اللغة وسلاستها كان يجبرني على الانخراط في القراءة كقاريء فقط ونسيان عملي كمترجم.
في نظري هذه الرواية هي من مستوى الروايات الخالدة... روايات هوجو وتولستوي ودستويفسكي.
الرواية صادرة عن دار آفاق من ترجمة المبدع: محمود مسعود.
اقتنوها... على ضمانتي.
March 14, 2023
کتاب مادر نوشته پرل باک، یک کتاب خوش خوان و نسبتاً پرکششه، داستان شرح زندگی خانوادهای فقیر در یکی از روستاهای دور افتاده چین است، خانوادههایی که در این روستا زندگی میکنند افراد فقیر و بی بضاعتی بوده که بر روی زمینهای اربابان کار کرده و عمده درآمد خود را به عنوان سهم اربابی به ایشان پرداخت میکنند و همواره مورد استثمار این گروه و مباشران آن ها قرار میگیرند. فقر و نداری این خانوادهها در حدی است که از تامین نیازهای اولیه خود نیز عاجزند و تنها هدفشان زنده ماندن و گذران روزها در سخت ترین شرایط زندگی است. تمرکز اصلی داستان بر نقش مادر در یکی از خانوادههای روستاست و تلاش و فداکاری بی دریغی که مادر برای حفظ زندگی و تامین زندگی فرزندانش به خرج می دهد. یک نکته جالب این کتاب این بود که شخصیت های کتاب دارای اسم نبودند و نقش هر یک به عنوان نامی برای خطاب کردن هر شخصیت استفاده می شد، به عنوان نمونه مادر، مادربزرگ، پسر کوچک، زن بیوه و ... . پایان بندی کتاب نسبتاً دور از انتظار بود و تصور نمی کردم که اینگونه کتاب تمام شود (پیشبینی چنین پایانی را نکرده بودم). ترجمه کتاب بسیار روان و عالی بود، در مجموع خواندن این کتاب یک تجربه پر از احساس و دلپذیر بود برای من.
August 24, 2015
I have been posting reviews on Goodreads for three years, and I have concentrated mainly on writing about lesser known short story collections. Thus far I have steered clear of novels, but I’m going to make an exception with Pearl S Buck’s The Mother because it is a thoroughly captivating book which has convinced me I need to read everything that this author has ever written.
I should tell you first that earlier this summer (2015) I read The Good Earth, widely considered to be Pearl S Buck’s masterpiece. I had been meaning to read this novel for years but had put the moment off because I wasn’t sure I would like to hear a story about peasant life in early twentieth century China. But The Good Earth turned out to be a beautiful book, and so I looked around for more works by this author.
The Mother was published in 1933, that is, three years after The Good Earth, and critics tend to agree that it is an inferior work. The author herself made comments to that effect. But I should say straight out that I disagree with both the critics and the author. I have read many novels, but few have held my attention with such passion. It was almost physically painful to me to have to put the book down so that I could concentrate on my work; I hated going to sleep at night because it meant postponing the story till the next day. The Mother may not have the epic sweep that The Good Earth certainly possesses, and it does not have as diverse a range of characters. But it is a powerful story, as worthy of admiration as its predecessor, and in some respects it is a more remarkable book.
The Mother is an intimate book, for it concentrates on the life of one woman, and we see the world entirely through her eyes. If we never learn her name, that is because she is so absorbed in her role of caring for her husband and children, that we know her only as the Mother. Very soon in the story her husband walks out on her, never to return. The husband’s abandonment does of course put her under great emotional and financial strain, but one of the striking features of the novel is the way the author focuses primarily on the way that every new small tragedy plunges the Mother into a morally ambiguous dilemma. The Mother certainly meets each new obstacle with courage, but she is a flawed character, so we come to hate her as much as to love her; we pity her and feel exasperated with her moral decisions in equal measure.
The Mother is a very sad story; there appears to be no end to the woman’s suffering. And the story is told in a remarkably economic style. But Pearl S Buck has a way with words that imbues this simple story with unforgettable qualities. To begin with, her choice of detail is astonishing; to a large extent the power of the story lies not with the dramatic events but in the way the author chooses to magnify specific concrete details. Another remarkable feature of the writing is the way the author reveals the inner life of the Mother. Of course every good writer fills her characters with longings. But Pearl S Buck does more than that. Behind the Mother’s myriad everyday desires there lurks a much deeper Desire which she is only dimly aware of. Such characterization is very difficult to achieve, but the author succeeds in raising the Mother’s story of peasant life in China to the status of Myth.
I want to end this review by thanking the previous owner of my copy of The Mother. You see, I ordered a hardcover, first edition from a second hand bookstore in New York. It is a beautiful copy which has been preserved as new because it was kept in a plastic cover. Whoever owned this book cannot have read it because the binding was so tight, the book crackled when I turned the pages. And so to the previous owner I say: thank you for preserving this book for decades; because, as it turns out, this copy was signed by the author on her eightieth birthday.
I should tell you first that earlier this summer (2015) I read The Good Earth, widely considered to be Pearl S Buck’s masterpiece. I had been meaning to read this novel for years but had put the moment off because I wasn’t sure I would like to hear a story about peasant life in early twentieth century China. But The Good Earth turned out to be a beautiful book, and so I looked around for more works by this author.
The Mother was published in 1933, that is, three years after The Good Earth, and critics tend to agree that it is an inferior work. The author herself made comments to that effect. But I should say straight out that I disagree with both the critics and the author. I have read many novels, but few have held my attention with such passion. It was almost physically painful to me to have to put the book down so that I could concentrate on my work; I hated going to sleep at night because it meant postponing the story till the next day. The Mother may not have the epic sweep that The Good Earth certainly possesses, and it does not have as diverse a range of characters. But it is a powerful story, as worthy of admiration as its predecessor, and in some respects it is a more remarkable book.
The Mother is an intimate book, for it concentrates on the life of one woman, and we see the world entirely through her eyes. If we never learn her name, that is because she is so absorbed in her role of caring for her husband and children, that we know her only as the Mother. Very soon in the story her husband walks out on her, never to return. The husband’s abandonment does of course put her under great emotional and financial strain, but one of the striking features of the novel is the way the author focuses primarily on the way that every new small tragedy plunges the Mother into a morally ambiguous dilemma. The Mother certainly meets each new obstacle with courage, but she is a flawed character, so we come to hate her as much as to love her; we pity her and feel exasperated with her moral decisions in equal measure.
The Mother is a very sad story; there appears to be no end to the woman’s suffering. And the story is told in a remarkably economic style. But Pearl S Buck has a way with words that imbues this simple story with unforgettable qualities. To begin with, her choice of detail is astonishing; to a large extent the power of the story lies not with the dramatic events but in the way the author chooses to magnify specific concrete details. Another remarkable feature of the writing is the way the author reveals the inner life of the Mother. Of course every good writer fills her characters with longings. But Pearl S Buck does more than that. Behind the Mother’s myriad everyday desires there lurks a much deeper Desire which she is only dimly aware of. Such characterization is very difficult to achieve, but the author succeeds in raising the Mother’s story of peasant life in China to the status of Myth.
I want to end this review by thanking the previous owner of my copy of The Mother. You see, I ordered a hardcover, first edition from a second hand bookstore in New York. It is a beautiful copy which has been preserved as new because it was kept in a plastic cover. Whoever owned this book cannot have read it because the binding was so tight, the book crackled when I turned the pages. And so to the previous owner I say: thank you for preserving this book for decades; because, as it turns out, this copy was signed by the author on her eightieth birthday.
May 27, 2021
“Sim, é verdade que todos os dias eram iguais para a mãe, mas ela nunca os achava monótonos e estava muito satisfeita com a sua passagem. Se alguém lhe falasse nisso, abriria muito os olhos negros e brilhantes e diria: «Mas a terra muda desde as sementeiras até às colheitas, e há a ceifa da nossa seara e o pagamento do grão ao senhorio da terra que trazemos de renda, e há os dias de festa e o Ano Novo, e mesmo as crianças mudam e crescem e eu estou grávida e, para mim, tudo é mudança e mudança que me faz trabalhar desde a alvorada até à noite, juro.»” Pág. 23
“Mas havia o homem. Para ele tudo permaneceria imutável, sem esperança de qualquer coisa nova, dia pós dia. Nem tão pouco o nascimento dos filhos, que a sua mulher tanto amava, era para ele uma novidade; a seu ver, todos nasciam da mesma maneira, pareciam todos iguais e tinham de ser vestidos e alimentados; depois já crescidos, casar-se-iam e também eles teriam filhos. Tudo sempre igual. Cada dia idêntico ao anterior, sem que pudesse ter esperança de algo novo.” Pág.33
“E assim, o homem sentia-se impaciente com a vida que levava, julgando ser impossível suportar eternamente a falta de coisas novas, este rodar de dias, ano após ano, até que envelhecesse e morresse.” Pág. 41
E está tudo dito!!!!!!
Ou quase, porque a escrita se debruça sobre uma realidade que basicamente desconhecemos: as vidas simples e duras dos camponeses chineses nas suas aldeias remotas, no início do século passado.
Entramos na mente e na alma daquela Mãe e sofremos com ela todos os pequenos e grandes desgostos e agonias.
Gostei tanto! Foi o primeiro livro que li da autora mas vou, seguramente, querer ler outras obras de Pearl S. Buck.
May 31, 2017
I really did enjoy this one. I thought that Buck had a good handle on the characters. The main reason why I didn't give this five stars though is that I was confused about the timeline and location of this book. I know that it takes place in China. But the way things are written I would have guessed earlier than what the book shows. The book ends with talk of communism and people being executed for it. So I was wondering what time period this takes place in when I got to the end. I also wish that Buck had tied up the loose end of the husband a bit better.
"The Mother" has an unnamed woman (Mother) is left reeling when her husband (too pretty and too ready to have a good time) abandons her, their three children (two sons and a daughter) and his mother. She scrambles and does what is necessary in order to survive in her village without allowing anyone to guess that she has been left due to the stigma that would cause.
I thought that the mother was not a hard character to get to know. She does what she can to keep her family whole and you feel sorry for her at times when she realizes how foolish she has been when she starts to obsess about another man. I like that Buck doesn't show any judgement once again about what choices this character makes. The story is told in a linear fashion. We start with the Mother giving birth to one male son and then her subsequent pregnancies. The story follows her from her marriage to her oldest son making her a grandmother. I think that it shows a nice cycle of what women are to expect in there later years in this community once they grow old and their children start a life of their own.
I liked the writing and thought the flow was consistent throughout. I do wish that I had better sense of the location and time period.
The story ends with the Mother being given some hope. Though I wonder if her life ends up the same way as her mother in law's did.
"The Mother" has an unnamed woman (Mother) is left reeling when her husband (too pretty and too ready to have a good time) abandons her, their three children (two sons and a daughter) and his mother. She scrambles and does what is necessary in order to survive in her village without allowing anyone to guess that she has been left due to the stigma that would cause.
I thought that the mother was not a hard character to get to know. She does what she can to keep her family whole and you feel sorry for her at times when she realizes how foolish she has been when she starts to obsess about another man. I like that Buck doesn't show any judgement once again about what choices this character makes. The story is told in a linear fashion. We start with the Mother giving birth to one male son and then her subsequent pregnancies. The story follows her from her marriage to her oldest son making her a grandmother. I think that it shows a nice cycle of what women are to expect in there later years in this community once they grow old and their children start a life of their own.
I liked the writing and thought the flow was consistent throughout. I do wish that I had better sense of the location and time period.
The story ends with the Mother being given some hope. Though I wonder if her life ends up the same way as her mother in law's did.
May 30, 2019
O meu primeiro contacto com a autora prémio nobel da literatura e adorei a sua escrita, muito leve, simples e envolvente. Como o título indica conta-nos a história de uma mãe na China rural do início de século XX. A autora fá-lo de uma forma tão cativante que não apetece parar de ler.
January 3, 2021
An Excellent book that I really enjoyed.
“The Mother” by Pearl S. Buck., like the rest of her books is a classic.
Her writing, as always, is superb with vivid detail and precise description. This one is also a very easy reading book--it flows smoothly.
As for a plot, it follows the maturation and development of the life of poor Chinese farmer's wife as she struggles throughout her life. At that time, the woman's life was less meaningful than a mans. It was underlined when her sons married and she immediately became insignificant.
This book is written in 1934 which was far ahead of the modern day woman’s movement. But in her technique of non-identifying the woman’s name, she really shows how much of a woman’s life is undervalued. I think she’s not always making a statement about Chinese women but women in general of 1934
I became associated with pearl buck in the early 1960s when I was in school and had the opportunity to read The Good Earth (I believe I was a freshman in high school) I enjoyed Buck’s book them and I do very much enjoyed her now.
I recommend this book and any book by her.
“The Mother” by Pearl S. Buck., like the rest of her books is a classic.
Her writing, as always, is superb with vivid detail and precise description. This one is also a very easy reading book--it flows smoothly.
As for a plot, it follows the maturation and development of the life of poor Chinese farmer's wife as she struggles throughout her life. At that time, the woman's life was less meaningful than a mans. It was underlined when her sons married and she immediately became insignificant.
This book is written in 1934 which was far ahead of the modern day woman’s movement. But in her technique of non-identifying the woman’s name, she really shows how much of a woman’s life is undervalued. I think she’s not always making a statement about Chinese women but women in general of 1934
I became associated with pearl buck in the early 1960s when I was in school and had the opportunity to read The Good Earth (I believe I was a freshman in high school) I enjoyed Buck’s book them and I do very much enjoyed her now.
I recommend this book and any book by her.
November 28, 2020
Não existem dois seres tão próximos e tão distantes, como o homem e a mulher. Para qualquer homem que queira conhecer as esperanças e ambições femininas, recomendo este livro.
October 14, 2023
É sempre tão delicioso ler Pearl S Buck. Sempre tão reconfortante a esperança e a ternura que coloca no seus livros.
Já sei que se precisar de uma mimo em forma de livro a quem devo recorrer.
Já sei que se precisar de uma mimo em forma de livro a quem devo recorrer.
August 19, 2017
قراءة أولى لا بأس للمؤلفة "النوبلية"
رواية عادية جدا ربما تحدث في أي مكان في دول العالم الثالث مع بعض التغييرات
وصفت كفاح الأم ومعاناتها بطريقة درامية لكننى لم أتأثر كثيرا
رواية عادية جدا ربما تحدث في أي مكان في دول العالم الثالث مع بعض التغييرات
وصفت كفاح الأم ومعاناتها بطريقة درامية لكننى لم أتأثر كثيرا
November 28, 2018
Uma obra extraordinária. Uma verdadeira ode à Mulher em todas as suas vertentes, mas com especial destaque para a qualidade de mãe. Recomendo muito!
March 21, 2019
Pearl Buck's books are written in such a subtle and tender way. My previous encounter with the writer was with Good Earth, which i loved from the first to the last page. However, i consider this one as her masterpiece because words come straight from her heart. She describes a poor mother's every day struggle to raise her kids by herself. Her joys are very few and her sorrows endless but she is still standing at every obstacle strong and decisive. At times she gives in to tears of sadness but still she never gives up. I really loved how the writer ends her book,it's really a bittersweet ending. The Mother, the protagonist of this wonderful book, is at the same time crying and laughing, she is sad and happy, i will not give away the reason but the whole description of her sentiments made me cry. What a moving scene!I'm definately not done with Pearl Buck's books, that's for sure!
June 4, 2018
The Mother (never named) is a strong and capable woman. She works in the fields to provide for her family, while taking care of home, children and mother-in-law alone. She saves face in the village after a devastating event, she carries on. Throughout she enjoys her children as they grow.
Behind the story of a peasant woman in the country, is the changing China. Communists are coming, the traditions aren't as secure & stable. The Mother moves from young generation to the elder generation.
Basically, this is a story of a life. A good life, a hard life.
Pearl Buck has a simple way of telling a story that lets depth seep through the simplicity of her words. She loved & knew China and told the stories of its peasant people, the backbone of the country.
Behind the story of a peasant woman in the country, is the changing China. Communists are coming, the traditions aren't as secure & stable. The Mother moves from young generation to the elder generation.
Basically, this is a story of a life. A good life, a hard life.
Pearl Buck has a simple way of telling a story that lets depth seep through the simplicity of her words. She loved & knew China and told the stories of its peasant people, the backbone of the country.
April 20, 2019
من این کتابو پارسال خوندم.رنج ها و دغدغه های یه مادر سنتی رو بخوبی نشون میده و این که زندگی برای زنان در قدیم مثل یه چرخه بوده همه تا بچن کمک مادرشون میکنن بعد کمک مادر شوهر ودر آخر کمک عروس و این یکم برام دردناک بود..آگه میخواین قدر مادرتون رو بیشتر بدونین حتما این کتابو بخوانید. این بیت هم بنظر من احوال ما فرزندان رو نسبت به والدین نشون میده.
سوزنده تر آن است که چون مردم چشم
در چشم منی و دیدنت نتوانم.
سوزنده تر آن است که چون مردم چشم
در چشم منی و دیدنت نتوانم.
May 11, 2011
WHAT A STORY. This book came out after “The Good Earth” and follows the life of a passionate Chinese peasant mother. Early in the story, her husband leaves her with no explanation and she is left to care and provide for the family. She also has pride and desires to uphold her dignity in the hamlet where she lives, so she makes decisions that seem best to her, but they greatly complicate her life.
Pearl Buck wrote this novel soon after “The Good Earth” but she did not think it was good. She considered tossing it; there are those who think this was because the story “veered perilously close to a personal confession, an unguarded glimpse into the secrets of her sexual and maternal frustration” (Conn 166). She ended up submitting it for publication when her editor (who eventually became her second husband) pleaded with her for something to publish for his John Day company which was losing money.
This book kept me enthralled and constantly looking for times to read. You will agonize with the mother over her frustrations and her heroic efforts to stay in control and on top of her situation. For any woman who has ever been really angry with a husband while still loving him, this will resonate. Peter Conn describes it well in “Pearl S. Buck: A Cultural Biography” when he says that “the novel is a sustained portrait of loneliness, sexual frustration, and despair”(167). It is his opinion that “Pearl drew on her own feelings of marital abandonment, and what she thought of as her maternal failure, as she delineated the corrosive sorrow that accompanies a lifetime of disappointment” (167). This is a passionate story that travels inside the heart of a woman and mother. I could really identify with many of her emotions. I highly recommend it to women. (I’m not sure what a man would make of it?)
Pearl Buck wrote this novel soon after “The Good Earth” but she did not think it was good. She considered tossing it; there are those who think this was because the story “veered perilously close to a personal confession, an unguarded glimpse into the secrets of her sexual and maternal frustration” (Conn 166). She ended up submitting it for publication when her editor (who eventually became her second husband) pleaded with her for something to publish for his John Day company which was losing money.
This book kept me enthralled and constantly looking for times to read. You will agonize with the mother over her frustrations and her heroic efforts to stay in control and on top of her situation. For any woman who has ever been really angry with a husband while still loving him, this will resonate. Peter Conn describes it well in “Pearl S. Buck: A Cultural Biography” when he says that “the novel is a sustained portrait of loneliness, sexual frustration, and despair”(167). It is his opinion that “Pearl drew on her own feelings of marital abandonment, and what she thought of as her maternal failure, as she delineated the corrosive sorrow that accompanies a lifetime of disappointment” (167). This is a passionate story that travels inside the heart of a woman and mother. I could really identify with many of her emotions. I highly recommend it to women. (I’m not sure what a man would make of it?)
March 27, 2016
If I wasn’t already familiar with Pearl Buck’s writings, I might not have enjoyed this book as much I did. Compared to some of my favorites - The Good Earth, The Living Reed, Pavilion of Women - this one is less focused and less cohesive, and I would not advise someone new to this author to start here. The overall story is very simple.
The daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Pearl Buck spent many years in China and used her experiences to write simply and movingly about peasant life, Chinese tradition, and changes brought about by the communist revolution.
The daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Pearl Buck spent many years in China and used her experiences to write simply and movingly about peasant life, Chinese tradition, and changes brought about by the communist revolution.
May 7, 2023
A Mãe, de Pearl S. Buck transporta-nos para a China rural e pobre, onde os habitantes da aldeia vivem da terra arrendada a um proprietário a quem entregam a maior parte dos bens que produzem.
Como facilmente se depreende do título, a Mãe, personagem-tipo, é a protagonista da narrativa. Casada, com três filhos, dois rapazes e uma rapariga. Cuida exemplarmente da sua família e da sogra que também vive lá em casa. Toma conta da casa e acompanha o marido na lavoura das terras e na colheita dos produtos. Dá-se bem com a vizinhança e é respeitada por todos. É feliz, ama a sua família apesar da vida miserável e de trabalho que leva.
Até que um dia tudo muda, e esta mãe vai passar por grandes dificuldades. Para não ser desconsiderada pelos outros, e manter a sua honra, forja artimanhas para dar entender que o marido não a abandonou, mas que partiu à procura de trabalho. A partir de então, a Mãe tudo faz para manter a família unida e dedica-se ao trabalho árduo do campo para sobreviverem. Com os filhos pequenos, um ainda de peito, e uma sogra incapacitada, é sobre ela que tudo recai, é ela que tudo gere sem um queixume, sem uma renúncia. Com dignidade e muita coragem vai ultrapassando algumas das dificuldades, mas a sua vida vai-se complicando e vai passar por várias provações.
Neste romance, percebemos o papel secundário da mulher na China sendo por isso o filho homem o mais desejado.
“Há muitas raparigas naquela aldeia, porque ali nunca as matam, como fazem em algumas cidades quando nascem raparigas.” (p. 169)
É a ela que cabe a educação dos filhos, a manutenção da casa, da roupa, o cuidar dos sogros (no casamento é a mulher que sai de casa para ir viver com a família do marido) e, ainda, acompanhar o marido no trabalho da terra.
Gostei da escrita simples e direta, subtil, por vezes, e esclarecedora quanto às tradições do povo chinês.
Apesar de a personagem ter uma vida miserável, de sacrifício, de trabalho, fustigada pela dor, pela injustiça, pela maldição, é uma história comovente porque nela predomina o amor de uma mãe e no final, há um grito de esperança.
Como facilmente se depreende do título, a Mãe, personagem-tipo, é a protagonista da narrativa. Casada, com três filhos, dois rapazes e uma rapariga. Cuida exemplarmente da sua família e da sogra que também vive lá em casa. Toma conta da casa e acompanha o marido na lavoura das terras e na colheita dos produtos. Dá-se bem com a vizinhança e é respeitada por todos. É feliz, ama a sua família apesar da vida miserável e de trabalho que leva.
Até que um dia tudo muda, e esta mãe vai passar por grandes dificuldades. Para não ser desconsiderada pelos outros, e manter a sua honra, forja artimanhas para dar entender que o marido não a abandonou, mas que partiu à procura de trabalho. A partir de então, a Mãe tudo faz para manter a família unida e dedica-se ao trabalho árduo do campo para sobreviverem. Com os filhos pequenos, um ainda de peito, e uma sogra incapacitada, é sobre ela que tudo recai, é ela que tudo gere sem um queixume, sem uma renúncia. Com dignidade e muita coragem vai ultrapassando algumas das dificuldades, mas a sua vida vai-se complicando e vai passar por várias provações.
Neste romance, percebemos o papel secundário da mulher na China sendo por isso o filho homem o mais desejado.
“Há muitas raparigas naquela aldeia, porque ali nunca as matam, como fazem em algumas cidades quando nascem raparigas.” (p. 169)
É a ela que cabe a educação dos filhos, a manutenção da casa, da roupa, o cuidar dos sogros (no casamento é a mulher que sai de casa para ir viver com a família do marido) e, ainda, acompanhar o marido no trabalho da terra.
Gostei da escrita simples e direta, subtil, por vezes, e esclarecedora quanto às tradições do povo chinês.
Apesar de a personagem ter uma vida miserável, de sacrifício, de trabalho, fustigada pela dor, pela injustiça, pela maldição, é uma história comovente porque nela predomina o amor de uma mãe e no final, há um grito de esperança.
December 22, 2019
Oh my, another great book by awarding winning author Pearl S. Buck. I previously have read The Good Earth which did win a Pulitzer Prize in 1931. Living her first 40 years in China, Buck was well positioned to write these ground-breaking depictions of rural life in China. Poverty abounds in the life of this mother and her family, nonetheless, the mother is a very strong woman through all of it despite her lies during her mid life.
The writing is stellar , just a few of those I highlighted:
"To rise at dawn and feed her house and tend to the beasts, to sow the land and reap its fruit, to draw water at the well for drink, to spend days upon the hills reaping the wild grass and know the sun and wind upon her, these were enough. " I think so.
" the mother fetched a bowl of hot water and took it to her (her mother in law) before she rose, and the old woman supped it loudly and belched up the evil winds from her inner emptiness and moaned a little with the age that made her weak in the morning."
And my other favourite " Why should your good heats be spent on wild weeds here and there, my son, and give me no good grandsons."
Note: They had no barns for the animals and gathered them indoors every evening, chickens, donkeys, pigs etc.
I will continue to read more by this author for sure. I obtained this book for free on IBooks and in this volume at the end, some interesting facts about Buck’s life and legacy.
The writing is stellar , just a few of those I highlighted:
"To rise at dawn and feed her house and tend to the beasts, to sow the land and reap its fruit, to draw water at the well for drink, to spend days upon the hills reaping the wild grass and know the sun and wind upon her, these were enough. " I think so.
" the mother fetched a bowl of hot water and took it to her (her mother in law) before she rose, and the old woman supped it loudly and belched up the evil winds from her inner emptiness and moaned a little with the age that made her weak in the morning."
And my other favourite " Why should your good heats be spent on wild weeds here and there, my son, and give me no good grandsons."
Note: They had no barns for the animals and gathered them indoors every evening, chickens, donkeys, pigs etc.
I will continue to read more by this author for sure. I obtained this book for free on IBooks and in this volume at the end, some interesting facts about Buck’s life and legacy.
May 3, 2019
É o primeiro livro que leio da autora e nunca pensei gostar tanto. Bem escrito e com uma história dura mas bonita. Uma leitura muito boa agora perto do dia da mãe. Vou ler mais livros da autora certamente.
August 4, 2010
إذا اجتمعت قصة ممتازة مع ترجمة ممتازة بين دفتي كتاب واحد فالقارئ بلا شك سيحلق فوق السحاب. لم أقرأ منذ زمن رواية تخطف الأنفاس و مترجمة ترجمة أدبية رفيعة كهذه الرواية. و منذ قرأت "الأرض الطيبة" منذ حوالي عشرين علما و أنا منبهر بأسلوب "بيرل بك" الرشيق و الدقيق، وهذا العمل يؤكد أن "الأرض الطيبة" لم تكن ضربة حظ أو رمية بغير رامٍ.
تصور هذه الرواية حياة فلاحة صينية، بل حياة فلاحة شرقية، وهذا لأنك ستفاجأ – مثلما ستفعل حال قراءتك "الأرض الطيبة" – بتشابه العادات بل و الشقاء و التفاني بين الفلاح المصري و الصيني، ما سيجعلك في بعض الأحيان تنسى أن الرواية تجري في الصين و تسقط أحداثها على الريف المصري. انظر إلى هذه الصورة:
"انطرحت الأم في مكانها ساكنة وقد أحس جسدها القوي بوطأة التعب. وكانت في تمددها هذا كتلة من الرقة و الحنو. ومهما نفد صبرها في غضون النهار، ومهما امتلأ صدرها بنزوات الغضب العارمة فقد كانت في ليلها تستحيل مخلوقة رقيقة عاطفة. عاطفة على الرجل الذي يرقد بجوارها..عاطفة على الطفلين اللذين استسلما لسلطان النوم. عاطفة على العجوز إذا انتابها السعال ليلا، فتنهض من مكانها لموافاتها بقليل من الماء..بل عاطفة حتى على الحيوانات إذا تدافعت و أثار بعضها بعضا".
والرواية تصف موقفين متناقضين لفلاحَيْن (زوج و زوجة) من أسلوب حياتهما..الزوج الذي يرى حياته مملة ورتيبة، و يرى نفسه مسخرا و مستعبدا فيها لمصلحة غيره، وزوجته التي ترى عكس ذلك، فالحياة متغيرة و مثيرة طالما وُجدت الخصوبة في الإنسان و الأرض، فيطرح كلاهما الجديد من الأطفال و الثمار، وهكذا يصير التغيير سنة مستمرة، فلا يكون هناك مجال للملل.
"كل ما كان يعنيها من الدنيا هو أن تلمس عاطفة الرجل، وان تحس الحياة تدب وتنمو في أحشائها، و أن تضع وليدا تقدم له ثدييها. ثم تنهض في الفجر فتقدم الطعام لأهل البيت و تقيت الدواب. و تبذر الحب و تجني الثمار. و ترفع الماء من البئر لكي يشرب منه ذووها. و تمضي إلى الروابي و التلال فتجمع الحشائش البرية و تستشعر حرارة الشمس و لفح الهواء".
و الأديبة هنا تضع مقارنة بين موقفين متناقضين: الهروب والتنصل من المسؤوليات بحثا عن الراحة و المتعة الذاتيتين – البقاء في الخط الأمامي و تحمل الصعاب و المحن و إنكار الذات لأجل الغير. ورغم المصاعب الجمة التي تتعرض لها الزوجة "الأم" لدرجة تجعلها تقرر "أن حياتها كلها كانت طافحة بالأحزان" حتى ظنت أن "الآلهة لا تعرف العدالة"، و خُيِل إليها "أن حياتها كانت لونا من الانتظار المستمر" حتى بدا لها "أن هذه الحياة التافهة هينة لا وزن لها و لا شأن"، رغم كل ذلك لا يضيع عمرها هباءً وتحصل في النهاية على ما يقر عينها، بعد أن كانت قد شارفت على الانهيار.
والرواية ترسم موقف المرأة الشرقية – بل والعالمية – من زوجها، فهي في شبابها ترى أن الزوج "رغم تعلقها به و كونه كل شيء في نظرها يمثل جزءا من الأمومة، و لم تكن تحبه لذاته فقط و من حيث هو زوج و رجل". و عند كبر سنها يساورها الحنين إلى هذا الرجل " وما كان هذا الحنين يمت إلى الجسد بأوهى صلة. فقد مات مثل هذا الحنين و تلاشى منذ عهد طويل. و لكنه كان حنينا من لون آخر – لإكمال ما تحسه من نقص في شيخوختها، بعد أن شعرت بالوحدة و الانفراد".
تصور هذه الرواية حياة فلاحة صينية، بل حياة فلاحة شرقية، وهذا لأنك ستفاجأ – مثلما ستفعل حال قراءتك "الأرض الطيبة" – بتشابه العادات بل و الشقاء و التفاني بين الفلاح المصري و الصيني، ما سيجعلك في بعض الأحيان تنسى أن الرواية تجري في الصين و تسقط أحداثها على الريف المصري. انظر إلى هذه الصورة:
"انطرحت الأم في مكانها ساكنة وقد أحس جسدها القوي بوطأة التعب. وكانت في تمددها هذا كتلة من الرقة و الحنو. ومهما نفد صبرها في غضون النهار، ومهما امتلأ صدرها بنزوات الغضب العارمة فقد كانت في ليلها تستحيل مخلوقة رقيقة عاطفة. عاطفة على الرجل الذي يرقد بجوارها..عاطفة على الطفلين اللذين استسلما لسلطان النوم. عاطفة على العجوز إذا انتابها السعال ليلا، فتنهض من مكانها لموافاتها بقليل من الماء..بل عاطفة حتى على الحيوانات إذا تدافعت و أثار بعضها بعضا".
والرواية تصف موقفين متناقضين لفلاحَيْن (زوج و زوجة) من أسلوب حياتهما..الزوج الذي يرى حياته مملة ورتيبة، و يرى نفسه مسخرا و مستعبدا فيها لمصلحة غيره، وزوجته التي ترى عكس ذلك، فالحياة متغيرة و مثيرة طالما وُجدت الخصوبة في الإنسان و الأرض، فيطرح كلاهما الجديد من الأطفال و الثمار، وهكذا يصير التغيير سنة مستمرة، فلا يكون هناك مجال للملل.
"كل ما كان يعنيها من الدنيا هو أن تلمس عاطفة الرجل، وان تحس الحياة تدب وتنمو في أحشائها، و أن تضع وليدا تقدم له ثدييها. ثم تنهض في الفجر فتقدم الطعام لأهل البيت و تقيت الدواب. و تبذر الحب و تجني الثمار. و ترفع الماء من البئر لكي يشرب منه ذووها. و تمضي إلى الروابي و التلال فتجمع الحشائش البرية و تستشعر حرارة الشمس و لفح الهواء".
و الأديبة هنا تضع مقارنة بين موقفين متناقضين: الهروب والتنصل من المسؤوليات بحثا عن الراحة و المتعة الذاتيتين – البقاء في الخط الأمامي و تحمل الصعاب و المحن و إنكار الذات لأجل الغير. ورغم المصاعب الجمة التي تتعرض لها الزوجة "الأم" لدرجة تجعلها تقرر "أن حياتها كلها كانت طافحة بالأحزان" حتى ظنت أن "الآلهة لا تعرف العدالة"، و خُيِل إليها "أن حياتها كانت لونا من الانتظار المستمر" حتى بدا لها "أن هذه الحياة التافهة هينة لا وزن لها و لا شأن"، رغم كل ذلك لا يضيع عمرها هباءً وتحصل في النهاية على ما يقر عينها، بعد أن كانت قد شارفت على الانهيار.
والرواية ترسم موقف المرأة الشرقية – بل والعالمية – من زوجها، فهي في شبابها ترى أن الزوج "رغم تعلقها به و كونه كل شيء في نظرها يمثل جزءا من الأمومة، و لم تكن تحبه لذاته فقط و من حيث هو زوج و رجل". و عند كبر سنها يساورها الحنين إلى هذا الرجل " وما كان هذا الحنين يمت إلى الجسد بأوهى صلة. فقد مات مثل هذا الحنين و تلاشى منذ عهد طويل. و لكنه كان حنينا من لون آخر – لإكمال ما تحسه من نقص في شيخوختها، بعد أن شعرت بالوحدة و الانفراد".
June 26, 2018
Masterpiece.
May 27, 2015
This novel concerns a peasant woman, a mother of three, whose husband is a gambler and libertine. One day, after a quarrel, he leaves her. To avoid shame, she pretends he is at work in a city, and as the years go by, pretends he is dead. It's a depressing tale in many ways, because the woman's brief affair brings her, in her mind and in reality, much trouble. However, it ends on a note of hope, as the family cycle is continued and the Chinese peasant's conception of fulfillment is granted.
Buck writes this novel in a lilting, poetic yet simple language, straight from the mind of the peasant, so that no idea of the characters is analyzed from a Western or modernized perspective. The subtle way in which Buck depicts the natural process of time – the attitude of the heroine as a young mother, then as a mother-in-law, and then as an old, bitter woman – is masterful. It is a real and yet idealistic picture of the Chinese peasant family, very well crafted and resonant, written without judgment of traditions.
Buck writes this novel in a lilting, poetic yet simple language, straight from the mind of the peasant, so that no idea of the characters is analyzed from a Western or modernized perspective. The subtle way in which Buck depicts the natural process of time – the attitude of the heroine as a young mother, then as a mother-in-law, and then as an old, bitter woman – is masterful. It is a real and yet idealistic picture of the Chinese peasant family, very well crafted and resonant, written without judgment of traditions.
July 14, 2020
3,5/5
Μια καθαρή εικόνα για τη θέση της γυναίκας στη Κίνα και μια πρόγευση του κομμουνισμού και των επερχόμενων γεγονότων Εκεί. Θεωρώ η μάνα του γκοργκι ήταν πιο δυνατό ανάγνωσμα κάθοσο βρήκα πιο επιφανειακή την περιγραφή των συναισθημάτων και την δυναμικότητα της μάνας της Μπακ
Μια καθαρή εικόνα για τη θέση της γυναίκας στη Κίνα και μια πρόγευση του κομμουνισμού και των επερχόμενων γεγονότων Εκεί. Θεωρώ η μάνα του γκοργκι ήταν πιο δυνατό ανάγνωσμα κάθοσο βρήκα πιο επιφανειακή την περιγραφή των συναισθημάτων και την δυναμικότητα της μάνας της Μπακ
October 1, 2025
Nem todos os homens, mas sempre um homem 🧑🏻🦲
September 12, 2012
La prossima volta vi mando mia mamma
Troppi libri in casa mia.
Lo dice mia mamma che è stufa di vedersene attorno così tanti, lo dice mio padre che quando cerca un libro non sa da dove iniziare a guardare per trovarlo, lo dico io che vado a sbattere contro le pile che partono da terra in camera mia.
In effetti, è anche comprensibile: sommando gli 82 anni di un vorace lettore, per di più appassionato di storia, agli 84 di una vorace lettrice, per di più insegnante per quasi cinquant’anni, e aggiungendo i miei 35 di vorace lettrice per osmosi, il calcolo dei libri presenti in casa, anche volendo andare al ribasso, dà un numero notevole.
La parentesi iniziale è doverosa per poter capire che i miei, mai mi hanno consigliato di leggere. Al massimo, quando da ragazzina, mi vedevano annoiata, si limitavano ad alzare lo sguardo alle pareti, come dire “Beh, guardati un po’ attorno, e vedrai che qualcosa che ti distragga lo trovi di sicuro”.
Perciò, quando qualche tempo fa ho preso questo libro da una terza fila della libreria, e ho detto il titolo a mia mamma che lì vicino sedeva sul divano a guardare la tv, mi sono parecchio sorpresa, quando con entusiasmo, mi ha detto: “Brava! Leggilo che è proprio un bel libro!”
Stupita per l’improvviso e inaspettato consiglio, ho cercato di saperne di più.
- Di cosa parla?
- Di una madre.
- ….
- ….
- Grazie mamma! Ero incerta se leggerlo o no, ma adesso che mi hai spiegato così bene la storia, mi hai proprio convinta.
Non ci sono state repliche al mio commentino sarcastico. Quindi sono scesa dalla scala e l’ho portato in camera mia, ansiosa di sventare a fine lettura il laconico sunto di mia mamma.
È vero che all’inizio c’è una madre. Una madre povera, non troppo, ma neanche poco. È una madre che oltre ai figli, ha un marito e una suocera da accudire. Una madre giovane e nel pieno delle forze, quasi bella quando dopo una giornata di lavoro nei campi, siede in cortile a godere dell’ultima luce crepuscolare. Conduce una vita dura, come chiunque debba sottostare al ciclo della natura e della terra, un susseguirsi di fatiche quotidiane e di pasti frugali ma sereni.
Ma ecco che il tempo cambia. Quando anch’io ormai ero entrata in tacita armonia col ritmo e la vita spartana di questo piccolo nucleo familiare, inizia il degrado, un flusso costante di perdite.
La madre perde innanzitutto il marito, e già questo, da parte del Destino è un colpo basso, seppur prevedibile. L’ ho osservata mentre si reinventava in un duplice ruolo, quello della madre che deve crescere da sola la prole, e quello del marito che lavora nei campi. Ma è solo l’inizio. Poi perde la suocera, e si trova orfana senza esserlo veramente. Poi la giovinezza, quindi la dignità, poi ancora l’orgoglio, infine i figli.
Una discesa agli inferi, un calvario senza fine, e mano a mano che procedevo con la lettura, quasi speravo in un miracolo, oppure in un definitivo cataclisma, purché si ponesse termine a tanta sventura. Invece no. Quella donna che porta nel corpo solo il segno di uno stillicidio di pene consecutive e costanti, ancora non aveva finito di sorprendermi . Ho letto compatendola, le pagine in cui la vita le toglieva tutto, la femminilità, gli affetti, la serenità, e ho provato quasi sollievo quando impietosa, l’ha lasciata lì abbandonata a se stessa, certa che il tempo le avrebbe dato il colpo di grazia. Ma non sapeva, e manco io lo immaginavo, che al di là della donna, ormai distrutta e annichilita, riemerge prepotente l’unico punto di forza di questa creatura senza nome per tutto il libro. Il suo essere madre. Il biblico e inesauribile istinto materno che la fa risorgere dalle sue stesse ceneri. Un epilogo che diventa poesia per il cuore del Lettore, e affonda le sue radici nel cuore della Lettrice.
Aveva ragione mia mamma: questo libro parla di una madre, La Madre.
Troppi libri in casa mia.
Lo dice mia mamma che è stufa di vedersene attorno così tanti, lo dice mio padre che quando cerca un libro non sa da dove iniziare a guardare per trovarlo, lo dico io che vado a sbattere contro le pile che partono da terra in camera mia.
In effetti, è anche comprensibile: sommando gli 82 anni di un vorace lettore, per di più appassionato di storia, agli 84 di una vorace lettrice, per di più insegnante per quasi cinquant’anni, e aggiungendo i miei 35 di vorace lettrice per osmosi, il calcolo dei libri presenti in casa, anche volendo andare al ribasso, dà un numero notevole.
La parentesi iniziale è doverosa per poter capire che i miei, mai mi hanno consigliato di leggere. Al massimo, quando da ragazzina, mi vedevano annoiata, si limitavano ad alzare lo sguardo alle pareti, come dire “Beh, guardati un po’ attorno, e vedrai che qualcosa che ti distragga lo trovi di sicuro”.
Perciò, quando qualche tempo fa ho preso questo libro da una terza fila della libreria, e ho detto il titolo a mia mamma che lì vicino sedeva sul divano a guardare la tv, mi sono parecchio sorpresa, quando con entusiasmo, mi ha detto: “Brava! Leggilo che è proprio un bel libro!”
Stupita per l’improvviso e inaspettato consiglio, ho cercato di saperne di più.
- Di cosa parla?
- Di una madre.
- ….
- ….
- Grazie mamma! Ero incerta se leggerlo o no, ma adesso che mi hai spiegato così bene la storia, mi hai proprio convinta.
Non ci sono state repliche al mio commentino sarcastico. Quindi sono scesa dalla scala e l’ho portato in camera mia, ansiosa di sventare a fine lettura il laconico sunto di mia mamma.
È vero che all’inizio c’è una madre. Una madre povera, non troppo, ma neanche poco. È una madre che oltre ai figli, ha un marito e una suocera da accudire. Una madre giovane e nel pieno delle forze, quasi bella quando dopo una giornata di lavoro nei campi, siede in cortile a godere dell’ultima luce crepuscolare. Conduce una vita dura, come chiunque debba sottostare al ciclo della natura e della terra, un susseguirsi di fatiche quotidiane e di pasti frugali ma sereni.
Ma ecco che il tempo cambia. Quando anch’io ormai ero entrata in tacita armonia col ritmo e la vita spartana di questo piccolo nucleo familiare, inizia il degrado, un flusso costante di perdite.
La madre perde innanzitutto il marito, e già questo, da parte del Destino è un colpo basso, seppur prevedibile. L’ ho osservata mentre si reinventava in un duplice ruolo, quello della madre che deve crescere da sola la prole, e quello del marito che lavora nei campi. Ma è solo l’inizio. Poi perde la suocera, e si trova orfana senza esserlo veramente. Poi la giovinezza, quindi la dignità, poi ancora l’orgoglio, infine i figli.
Una discesa agli inferi, un calvario senza fine, e mano a mano che procedevo con la lettura, quasi speravo in un miracolo, oppure in un definitivo cataclisma, purché si ponesse termine a tanta sventura. Invece no. Quella donna che porta nel corpo solo il segno di uno stillicidio di pene consecutive e costanti, ancora non aveva finito di sorprendermi . Ho letto compatendola, le pagine in cui la vita le toglieva tutto, la femminilità, gli affetti, la serenità, e ho provato quasi sollievo quando impietosa, l’ha lasciata lì abbandonata a se stessa, certa che il tempo le avrebbe dato il colpo di grazia. Ma non sapeva, e manco io lo immaginavo, che al di là della donna, ormai distrutta e annichilita, riemerge prepotente l’unico punto di forza di questa creatura senza nome per tutto il libro. Il suo essere madre. Il biblico e inesauribile istinto materno che la fa risorgere dalle sue stesse ceneri. Un epilogo che diventa poesia per il cuore del Lettore, e affonda le sue radici nel cuore della Lettrice.
Aveva ragione mia mamma: questo libro parla di una madre, La Madre.
May 25, 2022
خیلی دوسش داشتم! هنوز سخته واسم بین این کتاب و خاک خوب یکی رو انتخاب کنم، اما میدونم که دلم میخواد بیشتر و بیشتر از پرل باک بخونم.
October 23, 2022
Cartea spune povestea unei femei sărace din China care înfruntă treptat neajunsurile vieții și este o eroină pentru timpurile dominate de comunism.
Ceea ce mi s-a părut foarte interesant este faptul că personajele cărții nu au nume, sunt păstrate de scriitoare anonime și sunt acele personaje fără chip și identitate care nu au rolul să impresioneze prin nume și identitate, ci prin povestea vieții lor. Am ales să citesc această carte pentru că auzisem multe păreri bune despre ea și luându-mă după titlu, mi-am amintit de o altă carte care se numește tot Mama, dar pe care încă nu am citit-o. (scrisă de Maxim Gorki).
Titlul pare să dea din start de înțeles că în centrul acțiunii se află Mama (scrisă în roman cu majusculă), ființa care se sacrifică pentru binele familiei, își iubește copiii, îndură foarte multe, dar nu uită niciodată că ea este mama, omul de care depind ceilalți membrii ai familiei. Mama muncește la câmp ca un bărbat, suferă pentru soacra bolnavă, pentru fiica care are un destin nefericit, pentru fiul mai mare care seamănă intrigă, dar și pentru fiul mai mică care va fi toată viața o bucată importantă din sufletul său. Relația cu Tatăl, capul familiei, este una ciudată, dovadă stând nenumăratele controverse din sânul familiei și decizia majoră care va influența viețile celorlalți.
http://stildescriitor.ro/blog/2016/01...
Ceea ce mi s-a părut foarte interesant este faptul că personajele cărții nu au nume, sunt păstrate de scriitoare anonime și sunt acele personaje fără chip și identitate care nu au rolul să impresioneze prin nume și identitate, ci prin povestea vieții lor. Am ales să citesc această carte pentru că auzisem multe păreri bune despre ea și luându-mă după titlu, mi-am amintit de o altă carte care se numește tot Mama, dar pe care încă nu am citit-o. (scrisă de Maxim Gorki).
Titlul pare să dea din start de înțeles că în centrul acțiunii se află Mama (scrisă în roman cu majusculă), ființa care se sacrifică pentru binele familiei, își iubește copiii, îndură foarte multe, dar nu uită niciodată că ea este mama, omul de care depind ceilalți membrii ai familiei. Mama muncește la câmp ca un bărbat, suferă pentru soacra bolnavă, pentru fiica care are un destin nefericit, pentru fiul mai mare care seamănă intrigă, dar și pentru fiul mai mică care va fi toată viața o bucată importantă din sufletul său. Relația cu Tatăl, capul familiei, este una ciudată, dovadă stând nenumăratele controverse din sânul familiei și decizia majoră care va influența viețile celorlalți.
http://stildescriitor.ro/blog/2016/01...
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