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heather_leighbros's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book surprised me! It was a fun read, sometimes a bit disjointed when it jumped from one character to another. I am fully hooked on the series though and thrilled to watch all the different live adaptations!
book_bird_anja's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
not sure yet completely about the review. It felt chaotic and very confusing in parts and I highly struggled with the names in the audiobook, since all sounded very similar to me. I recommend it to read as a book, when you are not used to Chinese names.
not sure yet completely about the review. It felt chaotic and very confusing in parts and I highly struggled with the names in the audiobook, since all sounded very similar to me. I recommend it to read as a book, when you are not used to Chinese names.
mustarastas's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jloweryfd's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic novel. Great character development and depth of world building. Hooked me quickly
rachel_de's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
heritage's review against another edition
3.0
In the 13th century, in China, two soon-to-be fathers and best friends make a vow to unite their families, starting with their as-yet unborn children. However, a chance meeting with a stranger and an attack on their village set in motion a series of events that will alter their families forever.
This is the second novel I've now read in English by Jin Yong (the other one being Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain). He's a legend in Asia for creating a number of stories that have transcended mere pop-fiction and have become part of the culture, somewhat akin to George Lucas with Star Wars or Stan Lee with his many comic-book superheroes. Chances are, if you know someone who grew up in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, they know of Jin Yong--most likely because they've read his wuxia (martial-arts hero) novels or seen the stories on TV.
The narrative style is very thin and, unfortunately, the atmosphere is lacking. As such, the novel is filled mainly with many characters doing many, many things. The only exception to this thin narrative is the kung fu, where the fights can go on for several pages. This thin narrative does lend an air of antiquity to the novel, and the action keeps the story flowing. It's a very quick, light read, and all the information you need to know about Chinese history and the wuxia culture are either explained in the text or else in the introductory comments or the appendices.
The plot and characters are something that I can only describe as a lite version of Charles Dickens, set in the martial-arts world of China. Interestingly, both writers serialized their works when they were initially publishing them, which also gives A Hero Born an episodic feel with the spacing out of the twists and action sequences.
At this point, there really doesn't seem to be much mentioned to recommend this novel--and my 3-star rating doesn't help either. However, I think absolutely everyone should read this novel, and here's why: it gives a very natural and easy-to-understand portrayal of the rivalry that is a major part of Chinese culture. As Westerners from a predominantly Christian culture, many of us have been taught to forgive, to not be jealous, and to compete only with oneself. This novel will open any reader's eyes to the deep-seated rivalry, vengeance, and pure power-lust that is so prevalent in Chinese culture. It also discusses misunderstandings, honor, pride and the taking of offense, and cunning shrewdness. This novel will be immediately beneficial to any reader who reads about China in the news or who has dealings with Chinese business people.
It's not a novel without its frustrations, but it is certainly more valuable than it is a waste. It's quick and easy--quite funny at times--and it has Genghis Khan. Go for it.
NB. For anyone looking for perhaps a bit more information about the history of the time period or wuxia, here are two useful links to Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_dynasty_(1115%E2%80%931234)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuxia
This is the second novel I've now read in English by Jin Yong (the other one being Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain). He's a legend in Asia for creating a number of stories that have transcended mere pop-fiction and have become part of the culture, somewhat akin to George Lucas with Star Wars or Stan Lee with his many comic-book superheroes. Chances are, if you know someone who grew up in China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, they know of Jin Yong--most likely because they've read his wuxia (martial-arts hero) novels or seen the stories on TV.
The narrative style is very thin and, unfortunately, the atmosphere is lacking. As such, the novel is filled mainly with many characters doing many, many things. The only exception to this thin narrative is the kung fu, where the fights can go on for several pages. This thin narrative does lend an air of antiquity to the novel, and the action keeps the story flowing. It's a very quick, light read, and all the information you need to know about Chinese history and the wuxia culture are either explained in the text or else in the introductory comments or the appendices.
The plot and characters are something that I can only describe as a lite version of Charles Dickens, set in the martial-arts world of China. Interestingly, both writers serialized their works when they were initially publishing them, which also gives A Hero Born an episodic feel with the spacing out of the twists and action sequences.
At this point, there really doesn't seem to be much mentioned to recommend this novel--and my 3-star rating doesn't help either. However, I think absolutely everyone should read this novel, and here's why: it gives a very natural and easy-to-understand portrayal of the rivalry that is a major part of Chinese culture. As Westerners from a predominantly Christian culture, many of us have been taught to forgive, to not be jealous, and to compete only with oneself. This novel will open any reader's eyes to the deep-seated rivalry, vengeance, and pure power-lust that is so prevalent in Chinese culture. It also discusses misunderstandings, honor, pride and the taking of offense, and cunning shrewdness. This novel will be immediately beneficial to any reader who reads about China in the news or who has dealings with Chinese business people.
It's not a novel without its frustrations, but it is certainly more valuable than it is a waste. It's quick and easy--quite funny at times--and it has Genghis Khan. Go for it.
NB. For anyone looking for perhaps a bit more information about the history of the time period or wuxia, here are two useful links to Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_dynasty_(1115%E2%80%931234)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuxia
jarichan's review against another edition
2.0
Dieses Buch war ein Geschenk. Für mich hätte ich es mir nie geholt. Aber da ich stets Neues ausprobieren möchte, habe ich mich neugierig in die Lektüre gestürzt.
Leider hat mich mein Gefühl nicht getäuscht - dieses Werk ist einfach nichts für mich. Dies hat nichts mit falschen Erwartungen zu tun, denn schon eine genauere Lektüre des Rückentextes offenbart, dass diese Geschichte mit Herr Der Ringe nicht viel Ähnlichkeit hat. Sehr zum Trotz des Aufklebers des Verlages.
Es ist nur so, dass ich wahrscheinlich zu wenig über chinesische Geschichte informiert bin und mich auch grundsätzlich nicht sonderlich für Kampfsport interessiere. Beides sollte vorhanden sein, wenn man sich an das Lesen dieser Trilogie macht. So konnte mich bereits die Handlung, die auf diversen schön gestalteten Kampfsituationen beruht, schon mal nicht sonderlich mitreissen.
Aber auch die Figuren schafften es nicht, zu mir durchzudringen. Wahrscheinlich, weil der Autor sie durch ihre Kampffähigkeiten formt. Zwar hatte ich kein Problem, die Charaktere zu unterscheiden, da Yong sie doch sehr gut beschrieben hat, aber ihr Wesen, ihre Seelen blieben mir verschlossen. Damit auch das Interesse an ihrem Schicksal.
Die Handlung zieht sich hin. Es wird geredet, dann gekämpft, dann vergehen ein paar Jahre, es wird geredet, es wird gekämpft... Dieser ganze Ablauf liess mich mit einem Schulterzucken zurück. Ein,zwei Szenen mochte ich sehr gerne und sorgten dafür, dass ich das Buch nicht abbrach. Diese Stellen werden mir wohl auch später noch im Kopf bleiben.
Es ist aber nicht genug gewesen, um ein 500+-Seiten-Buch zu retten. Ich habe den Titel weitergereicht und hoffe, dass er dort ein besseres Zuhause findet als bei mir.
Leider hat mich mein Gefühl nicht getäuscht - dieses Werk ist einfach nichts für mich. Dies hat nichts mit falschen Erwartungen zu tun, denn schon eine genauere Lektüre des Rückentextes offenbart, dass diese Geschichte mit Herr Der Ringe nicht viel Ähnlichkeit hat. Sehr zum Trotz des Aufklebers des Verlages.
Es ist nur so, dass ich wahrscheinlich zu wenig über chinesische Geschichte informiert bin und mich auch grundsätzlich nicht sonderlich für Kampfsport interessiere. Beides sollte vorhanden sein, wenn man sich an das Lesen dieser Trilogie macht. So konnte mich bereits die Handlung, die auf diversen schön gestalteten Kampfsituationen beruht, schon mal nicht sonderlich mitreissen.
Aber auch die Figuren schafften es nicht, zu mir durchzudringen. Wahrscheinlich, weil der Autor sie durch ihre Kampffähigkeiten formt. Zwar hatte ich kein Problem, die Charaktere zu unterscheiden, da Yong sie doch sehr gut beschrieben hat, aber ihr Wesen, ihre Seelen blieben mir verschlossen. Damit auch das Interesse an ihrem Schicksal.
Die Handlung zieht sich hin. Es wird geredet, dann gekämpft, dann vergehen ein paar Jahre, es wird geredet, es wird gekämpft... Dieser ganze Ablauf liess mich mit einem Schulterzucken zurück. Ein,zwei Szenen mochte ich sehr gerne und sorgten dafür, dass ich das Buch nicht abbrach. Diese Stellen werden mir wohl auch später noch im Kopf bleiben.
Es ist aber nicht genug gewesen, um ein 500+-Seiten-Buch zu retten. Ich habe den Titel weitergereicht und hoffe, dass er dort ein besseres Zuhause findet als bei mir.
lordnikon's review against another edition
4.0
Really solidly awesome. Will definitely be reading the rest!
bjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly a hard book to review. Am I glad I read it? Yes. Did I love it? Maybe? Because it is a translation I feel some of its brilliance could be lost. But despite that I enjoyed the characters and their development. I pray the further books in the series wrap up the loose ends. I loved learning about a different history and culture and it certainly was fast paced.