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Pavilion of Women

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Pavilion of Women

By: Pearl S. Buck
Narrated by: Adam Verner
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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. Pavilion of Women is a thought-provoking combination of Old China, unorthodox Christianity, and liberation, written by Pearl S. Buck, a Nobel Prize winner born and raised in China. Few stories raise so many questions about the nature and roles of men and women, about self-discipline and happiness. At the center is the amazing Madame Wu -brilliant, beautiful, full of contradictions and authority.

 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Marriage China
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This beautifully narrated gently paced book is full of pearls of wisdom for our generation.

A book good for the soul

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Beautiful story which was told in the perfect way. I needed patience for the early part.

Heartwarming read

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Although this novel was written long ago, the tale is still as engaging and enjoyable many generations later. It's a great journey into a country village where prominent families ruled and the world was at war with itself. The story is read well by a male voice who was able to tell this tale with the depth, variety, emotion and understand it deserves. Very good performance of a wonderful story of Madame Wu. Highly recommended!

Elegant story, takes you through time and culture

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The initial premise - the wife deciding to get her husband a concubine when she gets to forty - is intriguing. Unfortunately Madame Wu becomes increasingly smug and annoying - to this reader at least - as her ‘spiritual awakening’ evolves. By the end you want someone to kick her outdoors. The narrator’s reverent tone could be adding to this feeling... I have not read the actual book.

Started out well... BUT...

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All nice it's just that I would prefer a female narrator. The male narrator did a good job though.

A nice story

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