A Hero Born

Author Jin Yong
Narrator Carolyn Oldershaw, Daniel York Loh
Publisher Quercus
Run Time 13 hours and 43 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Asian history, Fiction in translation, History, Martial arts, Modern and contemporary fiction, Sports and Active outdoor recreation, Traditional stories, myths and fairy tales.

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What to expect

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.

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

(P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited

Critics Review

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.

Yan Lianke, Man Booker International shortlisted author

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 . . . [A] unique treat for historical and fantasy fiction fans. Prepare to be hooked!

Paul French, author of Midnight in Peking

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

Quartzy

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 pace and drama is as swift and smooth as the intricate and detailed fighting scenes. This is the first in the series and I shall look forward to reading the second.

Historical Novel Review.

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.

A Chinese Lord of the Rings.

Irish Times.

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

The Times.

In Anna Holmwood’s spirited translation, this action-packed and ideas-laden saga is as revealing of modern as of ancient China.

Economist

Because of the scope of the narrative, both in terms of time scale and geography, and the sheer number of characters, it’s the unreal action and clever plot twists that captivate . . . You’ll be rooting for the heroes to the end.

SFX

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.

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.

[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 . . .
Holmwood’s translation offers the best opportunity yet for English-language readers to encounter one of the world’s most beloved writers

New Yorker

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