Anyone ever read any of Wuxia novels? I just started reading one called Eagle Shoots Hero. I have a few others that I am going to read as well. It's pretty interesting stuff. It kind of reminds me of Shakespeare tragedies with all the deaths going on. But it also seems to be stories that are pretty involved, clever, and intricate, and a historical setting. I enjoy reading the annotated version of it, so that I have actual history notes to go along with the fiction. It helps me understand the stories a little bit more. If you've never read them, it's kind of like old kung-fu movies in book form.
Are you reading the Chinese version or are there English translations? The one you're reading by Jing Yong is the first stories he wrote. The sequel to it is actually my favorite story by him. Also look into GuLong, not as good of a writer in term of flow, but still tell pretty good stories.
I believe you are picking up the Chinese version of 射鵰英雄傳 as I thought the official English name of the novel is The Legend of Condor Heros. You did pick the right book to start with as this is the first novel of Jin Yong's Condor Trilogy and also the most popular Jin Yong Wu Xia novel, in terms of the story being covered over the silver screens. wizkid83, Jin Yong's first Wu Xia novel is called The Book and the Sword 書劍恩仇錄. Based on a well-known "urban legend" of Emperor Qian Long ( 乾隆皇帝 ) of Qing Dynasty. [Edit:] just checked wikipedia, they didn't finish translating The Legend of Condor Heros.
You're right about the book and the sword. I actually own a set of his entire works. My favorite would have to be (wikipediaed the english names) "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre" and "Sword Stained with Royal Blood." I like the latter and have re-read it a bunch of times because it's shorter so takes less time.
Talking about Shakespearean tragedies, you might want to read his other novel - Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. He is my favorite writer and I used to reread all his novels almost every year.
That's interesting. I never really got into that one because there's multiple main characters and its switches back and forth, making it a bit harder to follow.
I wish I could read them in the original Chinese. Sadly I don't read it so I have to read the English translation. I'm actually using the Wuxiapedia site listed above. Thanks for all the recommendations. I will definitely check them out. The other two that I have on my reading list are The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants. There's also another translation called the Tales of Magistrate Bao. Also The Eleventh Son is on my list to read as well. Anybody heard of these?
The novels are great! I love the fan ones but none are fully translated that I can find. There are a few that have been officially translated in book form.
I worked on parts of the translation for Sentimental Swordsman, Ruthless Sword and also Bordertown Wanderer. You should check out this site: www.spcnet.tv/forums . Lots of wuxia related topics and discussions.
Awesome. I totally forgot about that site. I use it to find the movies but never thought to look for the fiction. The one I was reading (Smiling Proud Wanderer) never got updated past the 20th chapter out of 40. From this site though I see that other fans picked up where the original translator left off and finished it! Sweet.
That's really cool, that you worked on the translations. I will check out the site you listed here. Thanks.
You can start reading some on the Wuxiapedia site, and if you don't mind an English translation of some, I'll send you mine when I'm done. Though it probably won't be until later in the summer.
Seven Heroes is kind of in the category of Romance of the Three Kingdoms... it's actual literature, as in classical i.e. written before the modern era. I applaud your interest in Chinese culture!
That's good. I guess it always helps to get closer to the source. Also it will probably give more background and help my understanding of the Wuxia novels I read.
