I'm still not able to read Chinese literature so I figured this was the next best thing. Has anybody else read it?

Sure, it's a good book; sort of a "classic" for English language readers intersted in China. I read it years ago. Here's a good thread on books about China or set in China, lest that would be of interest.
www.skritter.com/forum/topic?id=21193951&comments=11

Ah! this was my mother´s favorite book, in fact I begun liking China and its culture with this book. Do you remember when Wang Lung´s son corrected a character which has the "earth" radical instead of "wood" one? This simple phrase ignited my desire to learn mandarin chinese.

Great book.

Just for a differing opinion, I wasn't a fan. The plot is kinda like getting on a high-speed train, feeling the exhilaration of the train picking up speed, then once it hits its cruising speed feeling it hit a penny and derail in superslow motion. That's not to say it isn't a valid representation of some timeless truths in life, just that I'm already aware of those truths and I'd rather dwell on something a little less depressing.

Also, you may not be able to read Chinese literature in Chinese, but that shouldn't necessarily stop you from reading Chinese literature. I can personally recommend Moss Roberts' translation of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and there are supposed to be a couple good translations of 水浒传, including one by the acclaimed Ms. Buck by the name of All Men Are Brothers.