PERFORMANCES SCHEDULE

This presentation is a History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Join us for a living history presentation of one of Appalachia’s most influential literary figures, and her lasting impact on global literary culture. Born in West Virginia, Pearl S. Buck drew on her Appalachian roots even as her work reached an international audience, most notably through The Good Earth. This lecture will explore how her writing bridged cultures, challenged perceptions, and expanded the scope of American literature, while highlighting the enduring significance of her regional beginnings in shaping her voice and vision. Buck received the Pulitzer Prize for her 1931 novel The Good Earth, and was the first American woman ever to be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. She was also a humanitarian and social activist who was deeply concerned about the welfare of children worldwide.

Portrayed by Karen Vuranch of Fayetteville for the West Virginia Humanities Council History Alive! program, living history performances provide a passport through time for student and adult audiences throughout the Mountain State.