Book review
Just read Pavilion of Women by Pearl S. Buck and it is a high recommendation. I've always enjoyed Buck's work and this one is just so classical. I bought it at a used book store because of the comment on the back cover.
"On her fortieth birthday Madam Wu, the wife of a member of an old and landed class Chinese family, voluntarily retires from married life. She plans to select a concubine for her husband and live a freer life over seeing the house of Wu. The difficulties which ensue change the lives of all those within the "pavilion of women."
So right there tell me that you are not interested.
This is one of those tomes you should read at different times in your life as well. Because you change with experience and will get very different meanings with each reading. Similar to reading Anna Karenina it is a very different book when you are young and haven't started a family than when you are middle aged.
This book has much self discipline as this was the way of Chinese families at the turn of the 1800's. (because to say turn of the last century just seems like we are now referring to the year 2000.) Self discipline has been lost and scorned by much of Western society. The cult following of freedom of choice over personal responsibility has been a mantra that brought forth many new social problems that no one wants to take any time or money to solve.
People may turn towards religion hoping for the great pretend friend in the sky to parent them through their lives. It is difficult to accept personal responsibility and quite freeing to point fingers and say "the devil made me do it." However getting a second chance after screwing up is only good if you learned from your mistake.
I also recently read that horrid 50 Shades for a book group. (An evening of mocking poor writing and wine was that outcome). A mild BDSM fantasy where a virgin explores being disciplined by a billionaire. Happens every day. I bring this up because I wonder if the great popularity of this crap is because it is now a forbidden fantasy to partake in self discipline and you can only go there if it is forced upon one?
"On her fortieth birthday Madam Wu, the wife of a member of an old and landed class Chinese family, voluntarily retires from married life. She plans to select a concubine for her husband and live a freer life over seeing the house of Wu. The difficulties which ensue change the lives of all those within the "pavilion of women."
So right there tell me that you are not interested.
This is one of those tomes you should read at different times in your life as well. Because you change with experience and will get very different meanings with each reading. Similar to reading Anna Karenina it is a very different book when you are young and haven't started a family than when you are middle aged.
This book has much self discipline as this was the way of Chinese families at the turn of the 1800's. (because to say turn of the last century just seems like we are now referring to the year 2000.) Self discipline has been lost and scorned by much of Western society. The cult following of freedom of choice over personal responsibility has been a mantra that brought forth many new social problems that no one wants to take any time or money to solve.
People may turn towards religion hoping for the great pretend friend in the sky to parent them through their lives. It is difficult to accept personal responsibility and quite freeing to point fingers and say "the devil made me do it." However getting a second chance after screwing up is only good if you learned from your mistake.
I also recently read that horrid 50 Shades for a book group. (An evening of mocking poor writing and wine was that outcome). A mild BDSM fantasy where a virgin explores being disciplined by a billionaire. Happens every day. I bring this up because I wonder if the great popularity of this crap is because it is now a forbidden fantasy to partake in self discipline and you can only go there if it is forced upon one?