Scan barcode
A review by mad_about_books
A Hero Born by Jin Yong
5.0
In order to understand the world in which we live, it is sometimes necessary to break away from one's every-day and venture into history known only in passing… if at all. Most of us know the name Genghis Khan, but do we know that he was also Temujin Kahn?
There is a reason that we see Asians as 'inscrutable.' In the west we are taught history from a European point of view; in the US, we are taught history from a white Anglo-Saxon point of view. Without learning the history and mythology of human beings who are not part of our circle, we are made less.
The translator of A HERO BORN, Anna Holmwood, starts with Chinese history in her Introduction, details the main Characters, and tells us this story takes place in 1205 in the Prologue. Reading these preliminary chapters removes some of the strangeness westerners may feel when reading outside their comfort zone. All three provide keys to understanding the history, the people, the places, and the time in which the events occur.
This is the story of two farmers, their wives, and ultimately their progeny. It is also the story of martial arts masters and kung fu moves. The beauty and grace of this form of fighting was integral to the morals of these people. To break the rules was to face shame and dishonor. It is a shame that these qualities are not valued in western society. It was a joy to read of men and women whose life was governed by standards lost to time. I quite literally found myself lost in the story.
Reading A HERO BORN is like watching a movie filmed with words.
There is a reason that we see Asians as 'inscrutable.' In the west we are taught history from a European point of view; in the US, we are taught history from a white Anglo-Saxon point of view. Without learning the history and mythology of human beings who are not part of our circle, we are made less.
The translator of A HERO BORN, Anna Holmwood, starts with Chinese history in her Introduction, details the main Characters, and tells us this story takes place in 1205 in the Prologue. Reading these preliminary chapters removes some of the strangeness westerners may feel when reading outside their comfort zone. All three provide keys to understanding the history, the people, the places, and the time in which the events occur.
This is the story of two farmers, their wives, and ultimately their progeny. It is also the story of martial arts masters and kung fu moves. The beauty and grace of this form of fighting was integral to the morals of these people. To break the rules was to face shame and dishonor. It is a shame that these qualities are not valued in western society. It was a joy to read of men and women whose life was governed by standards lost to time. I quite literally found myself lost in the story.
Reading A HERO BORN is like watching a movie filmed with words.