The Eternal Wonder: A Novel

In her recently discovered novel, Pearl Buck questions the meaning of life in a dazzling and original manner. The story centers around a young man, nicknamed Rann, who from an early age has an innate curiosity and intelligence about him. He far surpasses his peers in school, and because of his overwhelming desire to learn, Rann is quickly ostracized by children his age. His inability to cope with the voracious nature of his curiosity leads to his inner identity struggle, which causes Rann to leave his hometown prematurely in pursuit of a new life. When Rann meets Stephanie, a young woman dealing with her own identity crisis, the consequences are both thrilling and heartbreaking.

Buck’s writing is as simplistic and beautiful as ever, which makes The Eternal Wonder a pleasant read. I did enjoy the novel, but I thought the plot lacked substance, and I was actually a little disappointed when I finished it. Perhaps I am unfairly comparing it to my love for The Good Earth, but I was not enthused about The Eternal Wonder in the way I had hoped I would be. Still, I do recommend the novel to anyone wanting a quick and well-written read, though I would not run to the nearest bookstore to grab it from the shelf.