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  • MacLehose Press
  • MacLehose Press
  • Maclehose Press

A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes Vol. I

Jin Yong

9 Reviews

Rated 0

China, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Myth & legend told as fiction, Fiction in translation, Asian history, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500

The most popular series by the most successful Chinese author - a cultural monument translated into English for the first time

THE CHINESE "LORD OF THE RINGS" - NOW IN ENGLISH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE SERIES EVERY CHINESE READER HAS BEEN ENJOYING FOR DECADES - 300 MILLION COPIES SOLD.
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ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST FANTASY NOVELS OF ALL TIME.

"Jin Yong's work, in the Chinese-speaking world, has a cultural currency roughly equal to that of "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" combined" Nick Frisch, New Yorker

"Like every fairy tale you're ever loved, imbued with jokes and epic grandeur. Prepare to be swept along." Jamie Buxton, Daily Mail

China: 1200 A.D.

The Song Empire has been invaded by its warlike Jurchen neighbours from the north. Half its territory and its historic capital lie in enemy hands; the peasants toil under the burden of the annual tribute demanded by the victors. Meanwhile, on the Mongolian steppe, a disparate nation of great warriors is about to be united by a warlord whose name will endure for eternity: Genghis Khan.

Guo Jing, son of a murdered Song patriot, grew up with Genghis Khan's army. He is humble, loyal, perhaps not altogether wise, and is fated from birth to one day confront an opponent who is the opposite of him in every way: privileged, cunning and flawlessly trained in the martial arts.

Guided by his faithful shifus, The Seven Heroes of the South, Guo Jing must return to China - to the Garden of the Drunken Immortals in Jiaxing - to fulfil his destiny. But in a divided land riven by war and betrayal, his courage and his loyalties will be tested at every turn.

Translated from the Chinese by Anna Holmwood

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Praise for A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes Vol. I

  • A stirring epic, full of gravity-defying kung fu, treachery, loyalty and love . . . hugely entertaining. - The Times.

  • A Chinese Lord of the Rings. - Irish Times.

  • This publishing phenomenon comes to us in a brisk and thrilling new translation . . . The tale is like every fairy tale you're ever loved, imbued with jokes and epic grandeur. Prepare to be swept along. - Daily Mail.

  • [Jin Yong's] work, in the Chinese-speaking world, has a cultural currency roughly equal to that of "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" combined . . . With his combination of erudition, sentiment, propulsive plotting, and vivid prose, he is widely regarded as the genre's finest writer . . .

  • Jin Yong (Louis Cha) has long been a legend in China. Now Anna Holmwood's elegant translation brings his world to English readers in all its historical glory. Legends of the Condor Heroes is a unique treat for historical and fantasy fiction fans. Prepare to be hooked!

  • The most widely read Chinese writer alive. His books have been adapted into TV series, films and video games, and his dense, immersive world inspires the kind of adoration bestowed on those created by writers like western worldbuilders such as JRR Tolkien, JK Rowling and George RR Martin. - Guardian.

  • Holmwood's translation offers the best opportunity yet for English-language readers to encounter one of the world's most beloved writers - New Yorker

  • [Jin Yong's] fantasy worlds rival J.R.R. Tolkien's every bit in creativity, breadth, and depth - Quartzy

  • Jin Yong's oeuvre has been passed down in the East from generation to generation and thus nurtures people of all ages. For adults, they are fairy tales, while for children, they are mythologies. Anyone who longs to grow up and yearns for innocence after reaching maturity must read his novels.

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Jin Yong

Jin Yong is one of the world's bestselling writers, with more than 300 million of his works sold (not including unknown numbers of bootleg copies). He is beloved across China for his wuxia ("martial arts and chivalry) novels, which have given rise to film, television, comic book and video game adaptations. He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1981, and is one of two authors on the MacLehose list who have asteroids named in their honour (the other being Georges Perec).

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