A Hero Born

#1 Condor Heroes

Jin Yong, Anna Holmwood

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English

Maclehose Press
30 October 2018

Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945); Fantasy; Myth & legend told as fiction; Fiction in translation; Cultural & Period Fantasy; Epic Fantasy; Questing & Adventure

Series: Legends of the Condor Heroes

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

By: Jin Yong
Translated by: Anna Holmwood
Imprint: Maclehose Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 126mm, Spine: 32mm
Weight: 280g
ISBN: 9781848667921
ISBN 10: 1848667922
Series: Legends of the Condor Heroes
Pages: 400
Publication Date: 30 October 2018
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Jin Yong is one of the world's bestselling writers, with more than 100 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).

Reviews for A Hero Born (#1 Condor Heroes)

A stirring epic, full of gravity-defying kung fu, treachery, loyalty and love . . . hugely entertaining. - The Times. A brisk and thrilling translation... the tale is like every fairy tale you've ever loved... imbued with jokes and epic grandeur... prepare to be swept along - Daily Mail [Jin Yong's] fantasy worlds rival J.R.R. Tolkien's every bit in creativity, breadth, and depth - Quartzy A Chinese Lord of the Rings. - Irish Times. 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! 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. Jin Yong . . . is working with themes that are absolutely timeless - good versus evil, love versus sacrifice, nature versus nurture, honour versus deceit . . . This is magnificent writing that will more than reward your patience. It's also nice to finally read a translation that isn't stilted in any way and is as fresh on the page as if the source material were written yesterday. - Starburst. The world's biggest kung fu fantasy writer . . . Guo Jing, a young soldier among the massed ranks of Genghis Khan's invading army and son of a murdered warrior, may soon become as familiar a questing literary figure as Frodo Baggins from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, or Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. - Observer.