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《鹿鼎記》是金庸最後一部小說，可以視為金庸創作的最高峰、最頂點。《鹿鼎記》寫一無所長的主角韋小寶，因緣際會、一直向上攀升的過程。仔細看下來，這個人又絕不是一無所長，而是全身皆是本領。他的本領，人人皆有，與生俱來，只不過有的人不敢做、不屑做、不會做、不能做，而韋小寶都做了，無所顧忌，不以為錯，所他獲得了成功。這是金庸在《鹿鼎記》中表現的新觀念，突破了一切清規戒律，將人性徹底解放，個體得到了肯定。
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
17 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Jin Yong
849 books774 followersLouis Cha, GBM, OBE (born 6 February 1924), better known by his pen name Jin Yong (金庸, sometimes read and/or written as "Chin Yung"), is a modern Chinese-language novelist. Having co-founded the Hong Kong daily Ming Pao in 1959, he was the paper's first editor-in-chief.
Cha's fiction, which is of the wuxia ("martial arts and chivalry") genre, has a widespread following in Chinese-speaking areas, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the United States. His 15 works written between 1955 and 1972 earned him a reputation as one of the finest wuxia writers ever. He is currently the best-selling Chinese author alive; over 100 million copies of his works have been sold worldwide (not including unknown number of bootleg copies).
Cha's works have been translated into English, French, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Burmese, Malay and Indonesian. He has many fans abroad as well, owing to the numerous adaptations of his works into films, television series, comics and video games.
金庸，大紫荊勳賢，OBE（英語：Louis Cha Leung-yung，1924年3月10日－2018年10月30日），本名查良鏞，浙江海寧人，祖籍江西婺源，1948年移居香港。自1950年代起，以筆名「金庸」創作多部膾炙人口的武俠小說，包括《射鵰英雄傳》、《神鵰俠侶》、《鹿鼎記》等，歷年來金庸筆下的著作屢次改編為電視劇、電影等，對華人影視文化可謂貢獻重大，亦奠定其成為華人知名作家的基礎。金庸早年於香港創辦《明報》系列報刊，他亦被稱為「香港四大才子」之一。
Source: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E9%87...
Cha's fiction, which is of the wuxia ("martial arts and chivalry") genre, has a widespread following in Chinese-speaking areas, including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and the United States. His 15 works written between 1955 and 1972 earned him a reputation as one of the finest wuxia writers ever. He is currently the best-selling Chinese author alive; over 100 million copies of his works have been sold worldwide (not including unknown number of bootleg copies).
Cha's works have been translated into English, French, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Burmese, Malay and Indonesian. He has many fans abroad as well, owing to the numerous adaptations of his works into films, television series, comics and video games.
金庸，大紫荊勳賢，OBE（英語：Louis Cha Leung-yung，1924年3月10日－2018年10月30日），本名查良鏞，浙江海寧人，祖籍江西婺源，1948年移居香港。自1950年代起，以筆名「金庸」創作多部膾炙人口的武俠小說，包括《射鵰英雄傳》、《神鵰俠侶》、《鹿鼎記》等，歷年來金庸筆下的著作屢次改編為電視劇、電影等，對華人影視文化可謂貢獻重大，亦奠定其成為華人知名作家的基礎。金庸早年於香港創辦《明報》系列報刊，他亦被稱為「香港四大才子」之一。
Source: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E9%87...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 20, 2020
I found the first book slightly more entertaining but enjoyed this one as well and would definitely recommend. The one issue for me is that there are so many characters in this story that it's hard for me to keep track but at least they have a character listing at the front of the book. I look forward to reading the third book next.
February 16, 2026
This book ought not to have taken me a month to complete, yet life as it goes, with its inevitable intrusions - work, travel, health - had other designs. I confess to a measure of embarrassment at the time it took me to finish it, and an equal measure of relief in finally doing so (despite the fact that there is still a final volume yet to get through! yikes.)
The “Second Book” more or less refers to the middle volume of the three-book structure of The Deer and the Cauldron, as it’s one continuous narrative, starting on Chapter 10.
We continue with Trinket’s episodic, adventurous rise from a street-smart youth to a key figure entangled in Qing court politics and underground resistance. As he travels across China and beyond, Trinket infiltrates and navigates multiple factions: he becomes involved with the anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society, is captured by the fanatical Mystic Dragon Sect, and uses his guile to win favor and climb ranks in each.
Along the way he assists the young Kang Xi Emperor in critical events that include helping to suppress powerful rivals, undermining Wu Sangui’s rebellion, and participating in diplomatic missions; all while juggling shifting loyalties between the court and secret societies. His success earns him titles, wealth, and many “wives”, but also deepens his conflicting responsibilities, setting up the moral and political dilemmas that carry into the last book.
The prose continues its fast, funny, cynical, and deceptively simple tone. Its greatest achievement is how effortlessly Yong balances entertainment with critique: the writing makes the novel easy to read and hard to forget, using humor and clarity to dismantle the very myths that wuxia fiction traditionally celebrates. The transitions are often abrupt but intentional, reinforcing the sense that history itself is chaotic and contingent rather than grand and orderly. The narrator occasionally steps back to frame events with historical context, but never lets scholarship overwhelm the story’s liveliness.
However, if I’m being honest, the picaresque structure gets a little "wash, rinse, repeat." Trinket walks into a trap, talks his way out, and leaves with a promotion. After the fifth or sixth time, you stop worrying if he’ll survive and just wait for the inevitable punchline. Over time, this predictability blunted the narrative tension and made the story drag a bit.
Then there’s the "woman problem." The female characters are largely treated as prizes, political chess pieces, or the butt of a joke. Some parts bordering on next level cringe. You could argue it’s part of the satire, but even then, it lacks the agency you’d hope for. Overall, It’s just a bit of a dated blind spot in an otherwise sharp book.
By stripping away the heroic ideal, Jin Yong leaves a more sobering moral: Ordinary human beings, with all their flaws, are the true agents of history.
Trinket is neither a role model nor a cautionary monster. He is a reminder that moral judgment must account for context, fear, and limitation. Do not mistake moral narratives for moral reality. Do not confuse power with virtue. And do not assume history is shaped by the righteous.
The “Second Book” more or less refers to the middle volume of the three-book structure of The Deer and the Cauldron, as it’s one continuous narrative, starting on Chapter 10.
We continue with Trinket’s episodic, adventurous rise from a street-smart youth to a key figure entangled in Qing court politics and underground resistance. As he travels across China and beyond, Trinket infiltrates and navigates multiple factions: he becomes involved with the anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society, is captured by the fanatical Mystic Dragon Sect, and uses his guile to win favor and climb ranks in each.
Along the way he assists the young Kang Xi Emperor in critical events that include helping to suppress powerful rivals, undermining Wu Sangui’s rebellion, and participating in diplomatic missions; all while juggling shifting loyalties between the court and secret societies. His success earns him titles, wealth, and many “wives”, but also deepens his conflicting responsibilities, setting up the moral and political dilemmas that carry into the last book.
The prose continues its fast, funny, cynical, and deceptively simple tone. Its greatest achievement is how effortlessly Yong balances entertainment with critique: the writing makes the novel easy to read and hard to forget, using humor and clarity to dismantle the very myths that wuxia fiction traditionally celebrates. The transitions are often abrupt but intentional, reinforcing the sense that history itself is chaotic and contingent rather than grand and orderly. The narrator occasionally steps back to frame events with historical context, but never lets scholarship overwhelm the story’s liveliness.
However, if I’m being honest, the picaresque structure gets a little "wash, rinse, repeat." Trinket walks into a trap, talks his way out, and leaves with a promotion. After the fifth or sixth time, you stop worrying if he’ll survive and just wait for the inevitable punchline. Over time, this predictability blunted the narrative tension and made the story drag a bit.
Then there’s the "woman problem." The female characters are largely treated as prizes, political chess pieces, or the butt of a joke. Some parts bordering on next level cringe. You could argue it’s part of the satire, but even then, it lacks the agency you’d hope for. Overall, It’s just a bit of a dated blind spot in an otherwise sharp book.
He didn’t want to avoid her, he wanted to be near her. In fact, he wanted to marry her. The trouble was that the Green Girl had made it abundantly clear that she wanted him dead, and if he got near enough for her to do so, she would undoubtedly kill him. Somehow or other he must acquire the ability to disarm her so that he could have her in his power. What he would do then to convert her from an unwilling captive to an affectionate wife he didn’t yet know, but he could only take one step at a time. -page 367
By stripping away the heroic ideal, Jin Yong leaves a more sobering moral: Ordinary human beings, with all their flaws, are the true agents of history.
Trinket is neither a role model nor a cautionary monster. He is a reminder that moral judgment must account for context, fear, and limitation. Do not mistake moral narratives for moral reality. Do not confuse power with virtue. And do not assume history is shaped by the righteous.
July 29, 2023
Fucking epic number 2
February 25, 2013
Trinket, Herrscher des Universums
Nach dem Lieblingseunuchen des Kaisers, dem Triadenmeister und Palastwachenvorstand wird unser Held Trinket auf eine neue Mission geschickt, diesmal als Mönch - dass er nicht als kleiner, unbedeutender Novize sondern direkt als Abt einsteigt, sollte jedem klar sein, der den kometenartigen Aufstieg Trinkets bisher verfolgt hat. Und gegen Ende, auf einer Spionagereise nach Yunnan, ist sogar dieser Job noch nicht groß genug: Lord Wei, darunter geht nichts.
Die Episode um den armen Sir Zheng ist göttlich. Wie Trinket in rasender Eifersucht alle seine Connections von den Mus über die Triaden bis hin zu den Mitgliedern der Mystic Dragon Sect nutzt, um ihm immer wieder eins auszuwischen und dann selbst als Held dazustehen ist wirklich amüsant geschrieben. Den Beginn, hauptsächlich Kapitel 10, finde ich persönlich dagegen nicht so wirklich gelungen: Die viel zu ausführlich geschilderten seltsamen Verhaltensweisen Trinkets gegenüber seinen weiblichen Gefangenen nerven sehr und wollen einfach nicht enden, da ist man als Leser kurz vor dem Überblättern, weil es weder besonders witzig noch spannend ist. Für den dritten Band bleibe ich trotzdem gespannt - wen wird der dauerverliebte Trinket nun heiraten? Prinzessin Ning, Fang Yi, die kleine Gräfin, das grüne Mädchen oder doch Doublet? Gewiss kommt dann noch ein weiteres hübsches Mädel dazu.
Obwohl dieser Band gekürzt ist (er ist eine Zusammenstellung aus den Originalbänden 2 und 3), spürt man das als Leser kaum. An einigen Stellen wird die Raffung deutlich - eine Nacherzählung ersetzt eine im Original wahrscheinlich ausführlichere Szene. Dies ist jedoch durchaus flüssig gemacht und erhält sowohl Lesefluss als auch Spannungsbogen.
Nach dem Lieblingseunuchen des Kaisers, dem Triadenmeister und Palastwachenvorstand wird unser Held Trinket auf eine neue Mission geschickt, diesmal als Mönch - dass er nicht als kleiner, unbedeutender Novize sondern direkt als Abt einsteigt, sollte jedem klar sein, der den kometenartigen Aufstieg Trinkets bisher verfolgt hat. Und gegen Ende, auf einer Spionagereise nach Yunnan, ist sogar dieser Job noch nicht groß genug: Lord Wei, darunter geht nichts.
Die Episode um den armen Sir Zheng ist göttlich. Wie Trinket in rasender Eifersucht alle seine Connections von den Mus über die Triaden bis hin zu den Mitgliedern der Mystic Dragon Sect nutzt, um ihm immer wieder eins auszuwischen und dann selbst als Held dazustehen ist wirklich amüsant geschrieben. Den Beginn, hauptsächlich Kapitel 10, finde ich persönlich dagegen nicht so wirklich gelungen: Die viel zu ausführlich geschilderten seltsamen Verhaltensweisen Trinkets gegenüber seinen weiblichen Gefangenen nerven sehr und wollen einfach nicht enden, da ist man als Leser kurz vor dem Überblättern, weil es weder besonders witzig noch spannend ist. Für den dritten Band bleibe ich trotzdem gespannt - wen wird der dauerverliebte Trinket nun heiraten? Prinzessin Ning, Fang Yi, die kleine Gräfin, das grüne Mädchen oder doch Doublet? Gewiss kommt dann noch ein weiteres hübsches Mädel dazu.
Obwohl dieser Band gekürzt ist (er ist eine Zusammenstellung aus den Originalbänden 2 und 3), spürt man das als Leser kaum. An einigen Stellen wird die Raffung deutlich - eine Nacherzählung ersetzt eine im Original wahrscheinlich ausführlichere Szene. Dies ist jedoch durchaus flüssig gemacht und erhält sowohl Lesefluss als auch Spannungsbogen.
July 28, 2009
after the slow start of the first book, i was really hesitant about starting this one, but to my surprise, this one was a actual page turner. I didn't want to put it down. "Tamardy!" I just wanted to continue the adventures of Trinket and the mischief that he always seem to get himself in.
It was a really really fun read and can't wait to get on the third book. The book is light and straightforward. Just fun.
Can't wait to finish the series so I can go get the old TVB television show and watch that to compare.
It was a really really fun read and can't wait to get on the third book. The book is light and straightforward. Just fun.
Can't wait to finish the series so I can go get the old TVB television show and watch that to compare.
August 29, 2014
gosh! this is even better than Vol 1.
this is where his flirtatious nature comes in. I laughed so much at his antics. it's just as good as the drama series back in 1984.
my only complaint is my e-book copy peppered with spelling mistakes and the wrongly plaved punctuation marks.
otherwise I would hv given it 5 star. writing and plot wise was 5 stars.
now am off to read part 3.
this is where his flirtatious nature comes in. I laughed so much at his antics. it's just as good as the drama series back in 1984.
my only complaint is my e-book copy peppered with spelling mistakes and the wrongly plaved punctuation marks.
otherwise I would hv given it 5 star. writing and plot wise was 5 stars.
now am off to read part 3.
March 4, 2008
OH yeah.
This gets better and better, and it doesn't stop here.
There's a 3rd book, and you HAVE to read it (you'll WANT to read it.).
Believe me.
This gets better and better, and it doesn't stop here.
There's a 3rd book, and you HAVE to read it (you'll WANT to read it.).
Believe me.
August 15, 2010
Amusing, but the plot twists in this one crossed over to WTF territory for me. Just got too random.
September 22, 2016
3.5 stars. Trinket is such a little shit.
April 2, 2017
Continued on
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews