A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes Vol. 1

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 2017-11-22)

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)

About the Author

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).