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thinde 's review for:
A Heart Divided: The Definitive Edition
by Jin Yong
Despite the lack of realism in any aspect of this series, I enjoyed the read. However, this book relies too much on a lack of communication to drive conflict... even more than previous books.
The use of actual historical figures made the inaccuracies more glaring but also anchored the story in something familiar. I don't think I've ever seen the Mongols described in more romantic terms, but I suppose it was necessary since Guo Jing was raised by them.
I found the author's treatment of Viper to be irritating. Viper lies, cheats, stabs people in the back, and betrays anyone that helps him. But somehow, people keep treating him with respect. The only reason I can see is that the author needs the antagonist in the thick of things. Thus everyone must be stupidly forgiving. Sometimes it is like the entire cast is five years of age.
That child-like innocence and hope are what make Guo Jing so palatable as a protagonist. He has no evil in him and so the reader wants him to succeed. Over time, through a somewhat forced and trite internal philosophical struggle, he does reach some level of maturity. This makes the ending more satisfying as he finally accepts the agency that all protagonists should have.
The use of actual historical figures made the inaccuracies more glaring but also anchored the story in something familiar. I don't think I've ever seen the Mongols described in more romantic terms, but I suppose it was necessary since Guo Jing was raised by them.
I found the author's treatment of Viper to be irritating. Viper lies, cheats, stabs people in the back, and betrays anyone that helps him. But somehow, people keep treating him with respect. The only reason I can see is that the author needs the antagonist in the thick of things. Thus everyone must be stupidly forgiving. Sometimes it is like the entire cast is five years of age.
That child-like innocence and hope are what make Guo Jing so palatable as a protagonist. He has no evil in him and so the reader wants him to succeed. Over time, through a somewhat forced and trite internal philosophical struggle, he does reach some level of maturity. This makes the ending more satisfying as he finally accepts the agency that all protagonists should have.