The Refugee - The First Wife And Other Stories - Pearl S. Buck
The story is set in China where a recent flood has caused mass relocation and uprooting of a complete population of peasants from their lands and home. In the fallout of such catastrophe, they are forced to trudge forlornly towards the alien contours of the capital city and its very different life.
They are forced to take refuge in an unknown environment to have any chance of survival, to get some food in their stomachs and a roof over their heads.
The city and its people are both apathetic and enraged at what seems to them an unwanted inconvenience. The refugees have stretched their supplies, resources and even avenues of unskilled unemployment.
The unwelcome strangers are flooding the extramural camps and desperate for food and work. The circumstances have led to an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and tension.
Buck creates this tale showing how to overcome tragedy and readjusting to changed realities in wake of such occurrences.
The perpetual motion that is life and its oscillation between the extremes of abundance and poverty, the novel lays bare the human virtues of courage and endurance as well as follies of apathy and self-interest. The old man reminds us that no matter how tough things may seem, the only way to go is forward.
The Refugees is definitely about survival and bravery from the refugee point of view, but it is also about the courage of those not directly affected, the courage to step forward and make a change.
Summary courtesy - Pearl S Buck fan blog
The Flood -Painted originally by: Louis M. Eilshemius
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