![The Good Earth](https://nationalbookswap.com/pbs/m/69/2269/9780671472269.jpg)
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I remember reading this in elementary school, and it left quite an impression (along with the sequel, SONS). It tells of the rise of a young farmer, Wang Lung, from rags to riches (without giving too much away, it's not quite an Horatio Alger story). I can't tell exactly where it takes place, but, based on hints in SONS, this story appears to start in about 1870.