• What Is OWN?
    Watch the preview!
  • Oprah's Club
    Sign up for the official book club newsletter
  • On Demand
    Watch Oprah's interview with Uwem Akpan
  • Little Readers
    Give your child the gift of books

Facts

The Cottage that Love Built

Writing The Good Earth was a lucrative endeavor. In the first 18 months after it was published, the novel earned its author well over $100,000—a huge sum for the time. Much of the money went to establish an endowment at her daughter Carol's institution that ensured her care for life. As a result, a special cottage was built on the grounds to house Carol and several girls her age.