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Jinlun Fawang)
The Return of the Condor Heroes (simplified Chinese: 神雕侠侣; traditional Chinese: 神鵰俠侶; pinyin: Shén Diāo Xiá Lǚ; Jyutping: San4 Diu1 Haap6 Leoi5) is a classic Wuxia novel by Jin Yong[1]. It was first serialized on May 20, 1959 on Ming Pao and ran for about three years. This is the second novel of the Condor Trilogy. The story revolves around Yang Guo and his lover Xiaolongnü in their adventure in an unfamiliar world that does not approve of their taboo love between master and apprentice.
Alternate English titles are The Giant Eagle and Its Companion and Divine Eagle, Chivalric Companion.
[edit] Chapters
Jin Yong revised the novel in 1970 and again in 2004. There are 40 chapters in the 2nd and 3rd revisions of the novel. Each chapter has a four character title. Most of the revisions are either clarifications or minor alterations of character motivations.
The protagonist Yang Guo is the orphan son of the antagonist Yang Kang from prequel novel. He is raised briefly by the couple Guo Jing and Huang Rong (protagonists of the previous novel) before he is sent to the Quanzhen Sect for better guidance in moral values and orthodox martial arts. At Quanzhen, Yang is often picked on and bullied by his fellow students and even his teacher Zhao Zhijing is biased against him. Yang Guo flees and ventures unknowingly into the nearby Tomb of the Living Dead where the Ancient Tomb Sect is housed. He is saved by Xiaolongnü, a mysterious maiden of unknown origin, and becomes her disciple. They live together in the Ancient Tomb for many years until Yang comes to of age. By then, Yang Guo sees Xiaolongnü more than merely his highly-respected teacher, as he has gradually developed romantic feelings for her.
However, their love is forbidden by ancient Chinese societal laws and they are forced to give up their love or become outcasts of society. Throughout the story, their love meets with several tests and tribulations, such as the misunderstandings which threaten to tear them apart and the encounter with Gongsun Zhi in the Passionless Valley. Finally, after their reunion and marriage, Xiaolongnü leaves Yang Guo again and promises to meet him again sixteen years later. While Yang Guo is wandering the land alone, he meets several accomplished martial artists and a Giant Condor. His adventures gradually mould him into a courageous martial artist whose prowess matches the Greats of his age. Yang Guo serves his nation time and time again by helping the Song Chinese defeat the Mongolian invaders. At the end of the novel he is finally reunited with Xiaolongnü and they are recognized as heroes of their age.
[edit] Characters
- Yang Guo (楊過) (b. 1224) – styled Gaizhi (改之). He is the son of Yang Kang and Mu Nianci. He is handsome and intelligent, but unbridled and arrogant. As a youth, he opposes societal laws and traditional customs and ideas. He is determined to marry his teacher Xiaolongnü although their marriage is deemed unethical by others. After the loss of his right arm, he becomes an even more powerful pugilist than he was before. He roams the Jianghu and earns the respect of many through his acts of chivalry and righteousness, as well as the title of "Condor Hero" (神雕俠). He becomes the "Western Eccentric" (西狂) of the new Five Greats.
- Xiaolongnü (小龍女) (b. 1220) – the third generation of the Ancient Tomb Sect. She is a beautiful maiden independent of all worldly traits. She accepts the teenage Yang Guo as her disciple. After many years of living together, they gradually fall in love but are unable to be together as society forbids the master-disciple relationship. They roam the Jianghu and encounter all sorts of tests and tribulations of their love. They are reunited as a couple at the end of the novel.
- Guo Jing (郭靖) (1205-1273) – the sworn brother of Yang Guo's father Yang Kang. He names Yang Guo. He is a formidable pugilist who is highly respected in the Wulin for his acts of righteousness and heroism. He takes the lead in the defence of the city of Xiangyang from Mongolian invaders. He dotes on Yang Guo and hopes that the boy will become a great hero who will redeem his family's legacy and honor one day. He becomes the "Northern Hero" (北俠) of the new Five Greats.
- Huang Rong (黃蓉) (1208-1273) – the wife of Guo Jing. She is intelligent and resourceful, specializing in the art of laying formations and many other fields, besides being an accomplished pugilist herself. She is also the chief of the Beggars' Sect and plays a supportive role to her husband in the defence of Xiangyang from Mongolian invaders. She does not like nor trust Yang Guo initially as she feels that Yang bears an uncanny resemblance to his father Yang Kang.
[edit] Adaptations
[edit] TV series
[edit] Comics
- Asiapac Publishing acquired the rights to produce an illustrated version of The Return of the Condor Heroes in 1995. The 18 volume comic series was illustrated by Wee Tian Beng and translated by Jean Lim with Jin Yong's approval. The lavishly illustrated series won the Prestigious Award in 1997 during the Asian Comics Conference held in Korea. There are also cute gag strips that poke gentle fun at some of the story's events.
- In 2002, Comics One published the first official English translation of "Legendary Couple" which is a retelling of Return of Condor Heroes. Jin Yong is credited as the writer with Wong Yuk Long handling the illustration duties.
[edit] Video games
- Soft-World released a RPG based on the novel for DOS. The game is only available in Chinese language and cover the first half of the novel until Yang Guo met the divine eagle.
- New Shen Diao Xia Lü (2000) for Windows
- New Shen Diao Xia Lü 2 (2003) for Windows
- ISGame.com created this interactive version of the novel. Chinese Language only.
- ISGame.com followed up the success of the first game with this sequel. Again, it's Chinese Language only.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
