A Hero Born

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

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. -- Ian White 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. -- Vanessa Thorpe Observer.
A Chinese Lord of the Rings. Irish Times.
A stirring epic, full of gravity-defying kung fu, treachery, loyalty and love . . . hugely entertaining. -- Antonia Senior 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. -- Miriam McDonald 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. -- Jamie Buxton 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. -- Marcel Theroux 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

-- Nick Frisch New Yorker

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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