Reviews

I enjoyed this series so much! Mostly because it is one of the most adapted works. I loved watching the tv series in my childhood and it's been remade at least twice more since. It's taken this long before the author agreed for a formal English translation and so it is my first time reading the series. However, as the story is familiar, it's more of a reminiscent of childhood for me. And it has captured my heart completely.

If I step back, however, I must admit that there were some awkward sentences/passages which are probably due more to 'being lost in translation' than anything else. And if you're familiar with the genre, wuxia, all the tropes are there. From the exaggeration of wickedness & nobleness, the cheeky characters, the strong but dumb character, the jokes, the dramas of miscommunication etc, they all can be found in this book. BUT as this author basically was the creator of this genre and therefore, the trendsetter of all these tropes, I really just have to admire his creative genius.

thinde's review against another edition

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3.0

While this is an addictive series, it is also irritating.

There is no clear objective. Things just keep going and going, with no end in sight. This may be the point. It's a mechanism to explore character vignettes.

Every character seems gullible. If a stranger tells them their father is dead and points to a random second stranger as the murderer... it's off to battle without a pause for consideration.

Loyalty to one's martial family trumps everything. If you see one of your brethren in a fight, don't try to understand the situation, or who is in the wrong, just leap into the fight on your sibling's side.

There are no moral consequences, only vengeance. Someone is a mass murderer but serves you a nice cup of tea... all is forgiven. Another person offends your sensibilities by fighting that same mass murderer... a lifetime of vengeance is vowed.

In short, it has the verisimilitude of a fairytale... but also the heart.

magnaraz117's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An excellent continuation of the story! Jin Yong originally published his story in three volumes, but the English translation has split the story into four entries. To be honest, they have done a good job. Each book ends on a cliff hanger and feels like a natural end point for the book.

I adore Guo Jing and Lotus, their relationship feels very real and the respect they show one another is refreshing. Most of this book takes place in two locations, with lots of our characters coming and going. Unfortunately this entry contains one of my least favorite tropes, which is misinformation being spread because people simply won't talk to one another. And that made up a good portion of the book so I was a little frustrated. However, we get some real plot progression and a few villains are vanquished, so an enjoyable read nonetheless!

ok7a's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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