Rating: 
Summary: a masterpiece
Review: (This review applies to the complete Deer and Cauldron - all three volumes.)The Deer and the Cauldron is the last, and arguably the best, martial arts epic by Yeung Jin (aka Yong Chin or Louis Cha), who is undisputably the greatest martial arts novelist ever to live. More Cha novels are being translated, and hopefully his complete opus will soon be available in English. Owing to Westerners' love of trilogies, the epic has been published in three volumes, as opposed to the five volumes of the Chinese version. Originally, the story was written, like much wu xia (martial arts) fiction, in daily newspaper serials. In other words, don't expect a clean ending in either of the two first volumes; the divisions between one book and the next are more or less arbitrary. The story takes place during the reign of the penultimate emperor of China, who as a Manchu managed to maintain an uneasy peace. Many of the characters in Deer and Cauldron are real historical figures, and many events are fabricated around actual occurrences. The playful interaction with history explains something of Cha's resonance with the public as well as his popularity with critics. Deer and Cauldron is entirely unlike Cha's earlier novels in that it is a grand farce. Whereas all of his previous novels are serious and heroic in tone, Deer and Cauldron features an antihero raised in a whore-house, who refuses to learn to fight honorably, and makes his way in life by fast-talking and lies upon lies. On its original release, readers questioned whether this book was really written by Cha. Most importantly, this book is a great read, with an intricate plot, sympathetic characters, an awareness of history, a rich cultural setting, plenty of action, and much comedy. I highly recommend. A final note: like other Cha novels, Deer and Cauldron has been loosely adapted to film/TV. However, the best movie based on a Cha novel may always be 'Swordsman 2'.
Rating:
Summary: Excuse me?
Review: A previous reviewer stated that this was the "Harry Potter" of Asia. Please, give me a break. Don't compare the two, I beg of you. Trinket was having fun in China at least 500 years before Harry Potter was stuck inside a cabinet. Don't compare things that you don't understand, and don't mislead the potential readers. Lu Ding Ji (The Chinese name of the book) is a story I've heard from my parents ever since I was a child. I've loved Xiao Bao (Trinket) for years, and I'm happy to have finally read his life story. Jiang Hu is usually described from a hero's perspective, and to hear it from a pre-teen troublemaker is a refreshing change. It almost seems taboo for Trinket to have his way with the martial arts world, but I suppose that's what makes all of us love this novel. I think the character developments were wonderfully translated in this book, and I hope that everyone enjoys it as much as I did. Keep at bay your stereotypes of the Chinese culture and perhaps you will learn something.
Rating:
Summary: Hugely popular Chinese novelist finally available in English
Review: A swashbucklling adventure story of 17th century Manchu-dominated China, THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON is by repute the very best of the thirteen "martial arts novels" written by Louis Cha, "the Alexandre Dumas of Asia." Published originally as a newspaper serial in Hong Kong, under the Chinese pseudonym Jin Yong, this beautifully constructed novel may be a better book than any by Dumas, who certainly never created a central character as seductively self-interested as Cha's boisterously foul-mouthed Wei Xiaobao, - who becomes "Trinket" in translator John Minford's version. Trinket is an incorrigible teenage rogue from the "pleasure quarter" of Yangzhou who by guile and good fortune becomes simultaneously a confidant of the boy emperor Kang Xi and a leader of the loyalist martial arts outlaws of the Heaven and Earth Society. John Minford's graceful translation gives the most popular Chinese novelist on earth a fighting chance of winning a brand new legion of fans. (An earlier Louis Cha no
Rating:
Summary: Hugely popular Chinese novelist finally available in English
Review: A swashbucklling adventure story of 17th century Manchu-dominated China, THE DEER AND THE CAULDRON is by repute the very best of the thirteen "martial arts novels" written by Louis Cha, "the Alexandre Dumas of Asia." Published originally as a newspaper serial in Hong Kong, under the Chinese pseudonym Jin Yong, this beautifully constructed novel may be a better book than any by Dumas, who certainly never created a central character as seductively self-interested as Cha's boisterously foul-mouthed Wei Xiaobao, - who becomes "Trinket" in translator John Minford's version. Trinket is an incorrigible teenage rogue from the "pleasure quarter" of Yangzhou who by guile and good fortune becomes simultaneously a confidant of the boy emperor Kang Xi and a leader of the loyalist martial arts outlaws of the Heaven and Earth Society. John Minford's graceful translation gives the most popular Chinese novelist on earth a fighting chance of winning a brand new legion of fans. (An earlier Louis Cha no
Rating: 
Summary: Beach-read entertainment (albeit an ancient beach!)
Review: Can't we all just get along? I am tired of seeing some poor reviewer lambasted for his (or her) views. Anyway, the Deer and the Cauldron is fun and entertaining, although a little light on story. In fact, stylewise, I would indeed compare it to the Harry Potter phenomenon today. This book doesn't hold a candle to the Three Kingdoms, or The Water Margin, but it is nonetheless fun to read. I finished it in about two days, but found that none of the book really stuck with me. If you are a fan of Chinese culture, or even of shoddy kung fu flicks, I invite you to give this book a chance. If you are looking for another Three Kingdoms, however, don't expect this light fare to satisfy you completely.
Rating:
Summary: The Legendary Couple
Review: I just found out that there is the title to the third book of Cha. It is the "Legendary Couple" (certainly not as poetic a title as the Chinese version). It is not my favorite because I think it is too sad overall, but many people like it. So for those who like Louis Cha, you may want to give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: The Legendary Couple
Review: I just found out that there is the title to the third book of Cha. It is the "Legendary Couple" (certainly not as poetic a title as the Chinese version). It is not my favorite because I think it is too sad overall, but many people like it. So for those who like Louis Cha, you may want to give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: The Legendary Couple
Review: I just found out that there is the title to the third book of Cha. It is the "Legendary Couple" (certainly not as poetic a title as the Chinese version). It is not my favorite because I think it is too sad overall, but many people like it. So for those who like Louis Cha, you may want to give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: Not just martial arts and adventure
Review: I read the Chinese version of this when I was in high school. I don't think I will be exaggerating if I say that Louis Cha is probably one of the most widely read Chinese writer in the 20th century. You may stumble across a lot of Chinese who haven't read Dreams of a Red Mansion, but they have read Cha. Mr. Cha is very knowledgeable of Chinese history, literature and geography, and has managed to incorporate much of his knowledge into his works. Therefore, if the reader is interested in and somewhat familiar with Chinese culture, you will find the reading more enjoyable and not just an adventure/martial arts story. His characters will take you through tradition, culture, poetry, and landmarks. Verses of famous poets from hundreds to 2 to 3 thousand years ago are quoted by the characters at times, quite appropriate to their situation in the novels. I have read somewhere that the Chinese government is now using excerpts from Cha's novels in textbooks. I really hope there will be more translations of other works out soon for everybody to enjoy. Some people will dispute whether the "Deer" book is the best. Almost all of Cha's 4-volume sets are extremely popular. Many claim that his third book (can't translate the name) is the best.
Rating:
Summary: Not just martial arts and adventure
Review: I read the Chinese version of this when I was in high school. I don't think I will be exaggerating if I say that Louis Cha is probably one of the most widely read Chinese writer in the 20th century. You may stumble across a lot of Chinese who haven't read Dreams of a Red Mansion, but they have read Cha. Mr. Cha is very knowledgeable of Chinese history, literature and geography, and has managed to incorporate much of his knowledge into his works. Therefore, if the reader is interested in and somewhat familiar with Chinese culture, you will find the reading more enjoyable and not just an adventure/martial arts story. His characters will take you through tradition, culture, poetry, and landmarks. Verses of famous poets from hundreds to 2 to 3 thousand years ago are quoted by the characters at times, quite appropriate to their situation in the novels. I have read somewhere that the Chinese government is now using excerpts from Cha's novels in textbooks. I really hope there will be more translations of other works out soon for everybody to enjoy. Some people will dispute whether the "Deer" book is the best. Almost all of Cha's 4-volume sets are extremely popular. Many claim that his third book (can't translate the name) is the best.
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