What a rich and wholesome set of books. I have always loved extended family sagas based in historic events, but this seemed to touch on all themes in which I have particular interest: class, poverty, culture (i.e. clash and absorption of western vs eastern), honor and duty, gender roles and norms, aging and the change of abilities over a lifetime, revolution and the constant struggle for freedom/progress (freedom vs progress, perhaps?), etc.

And on top of all this as the main theme is the fundamental human connection to the earth for both life and death. Buck kneads and stretches the human experience over a vast frame but never lets us forget our roots and humanity. Her characters learn and if her readers are careful, they too can absorb the wisdom of multiple generations and find patterns in context. And her prose is the final unique touch, with a simplicity and plainness difficult to find elsewhere.

All three books get 5* from me.