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The Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs): Selected and Translated from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Long ago, along a stretch of a river deep and wide but far away from the consciousness or imagination of anyone outside All under Heaven, a battle was fought that determined the fate of its people for the next four hundred years.
The Battle of Chibi vividly retells selections (translated by the author) from the great Chinese classic, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
This novel combines fascinating characters in action as well as ideas in conflict and battle scenes, deception, and earnest debate; there is even a marriage arranged for the purpose of entrapping of the Loyalist leader.
The narrative weaves together stories, drama, poetry--events and episodes that have engrossed Asian readers and listeners for the last seventeen hundred years. Above all, the warriors and leaders in this retelling, their loyalties and conflicts, show why this classic has been valued as the best introduction to Chinese thought.
The second edition adds beginnings and endings to some chapters as well as material between certain chapters to improve the transitions.
The Battle of Chibi vividly retells selections (translated by the author) from the great Chinese classic, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
This novel combines fascinating characters in action as well as ideas in conflict and battle scenes, deception, and earnest debate; there is even a marriage arranged for the purpose of entrapping of the Loyalist leader.
The narrative weaves together stories, drama, poetry--events and episodes that have engrossed Asian readers and listeners for the last seventeen hundred years. Above all, the warriors and leaders in this retelling, their loyalties and conflicts, show why this classic has been valued as the best introduction to Chinese thought.
The second edition adds beginnings and endings to some chapters as well as material between certain chapters to improve the transitions.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2010
6 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Hock G. Tjoa
8 books90 followersHock G. Tjoa was born to Chinese parents and studied history at Brandeis and Harvard. He taught European history and Asian political thought at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. He is married and lives with his family in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California.
He published in 2010 The Battle of Chibi (Selections from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms) that he had translated, and in 2011, Heaven is High and the Emperor Far Away, A Play that he translated and adapted from Lao She's Teahouse. Both are part of his project to make more widely known traditional Chinese values. In 2013, he published The Chinese Spymaster and The Ingenious Judge Dee, a Play.
Agamemnon Must Die was published (see reviews) in 2014.
Another volume in The Chinese Spymaster series, The Ninja and theDiplomat was published in 2015.
I struggle to bring the Book of Job to life for my current writing project.
He published in 2010 The Battle of Chibi (Selections from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms) that he had translated, and in 2011, Heaven is High and the Emperor Far Away, A Play that he translated and adapted from Lao She's Teahouse. Both are part of his project to make more widely known traditional Chinese values. In 2013, he published The Chinese Spymaster and The Ingenious Judge Dee, a Play.
Agamemnon Must Die was published (see reviews) in 2014.
Another volume in The Chinese Spymaster series, The Ninja and theDiplomat was published in 2015.
I struggle to bring the Book of Job to life for my current writing project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 28, 2013
The Battle of Chibi may appear at first to be a daunting read, but it is well worth the effort. The book offers an abridged version of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For those who are not acquainted with this revered saga, The Battle of Chibi is an excellent introduction.
The introductory sections of the book are extremely helpful to readers who are unfamiliar with the story or the culture. The reading advice presented here is excellent and helps to make the entire book more accessible. The Battle of Chibi is well written, presenting not only the actions of warriors but insight into the culture and thoughts of those involved.
This is not just a story of war. It is a tale of honor, betrayal, strategy, heroism, love and sacrifice. The characters are shrouded in legend and myth, but they are still intrinsically human.
Readers who are not accustomed to this type of literature may have difficulty at first with making sense of the seemingly unending battles, beheadings, plots and characters. In the end, persistence pays off. The story unfolds and primary figures emerge. To me, the story became intriguing when master strategists matched wits. Those who enjoy tales of schemes within plots veiled in subterfuge will love this book.
A complimentary copy of this book was received in exchange for a non-reciprocal review.
The introductory sections of the book are extremely helpful to readers who are unfamiliar with the story or the culture. The reading advice presented here is excellent and helps to make the entire book more accessible. The Battle of Chibi is well written, presenting not only the actions of warriors but insight into the culture and thoughts of those involved.
This is not just a story of war. It is a tale of honor, betrayal, strategy, heroism, love and sacrifice. The characters are shrouded in legend and myth, but they are still intrinsically human.
Readers who are not accustomed to this type of literature may have difficulty at first with making sense of the seemingly unending battles, beheadings, plots and characters. In the end, persistence pays off. The story unfolds and primary figures emerge. To me, the story became intriguing when master strategists matched wits. Those who enjoy tales of schemes within plots veiled in subterfuge will love this book.
A complimentary copy of this book was received in exchange for a non-reciprocal review.
June 2, 2013
Initially, I was skeptical that The Battle of Chibi would be a book I'd actually enjoy. The fact that it requires a "how to read this book"section made me nervous and feel overwhelmed from the start. However, after reading through the first few chapters I not only understood the need for the introduction and helpful hints, I appreciated the guidance. For example, the author explains the importance of not focusing on remembering every character because most are only involved in a few scenes. It is more important to understand the key figures as well as the overall significance of the battle/interaction.
The author does a great job of exploring an intriguing time in Chinese history. He simplifies the story in a way that makes it easy to digest and worthwhile to read. I became engrossed in the story quickly and at one point, took my iPad to the gym and read it while on the bike! When I got to the last page, I was somewhat sad because I wanted to know more about the lives of Bei, Cao, and Liang and the unfolding of the three kingdoms.
Great read! Great work!
The author does a great job of exploring an intriguing time in Chinese history. He simplifies the story in a way that makes it easy to digest and worthwhile to read. I became engrossed in the story quickly and at one point, took my iPad to the gym and read it while on the bike! When I got to the last page, I was somewhat sad because I wanted to know more about the lives of Bei, Cao, and Liang and the unfolding of the three kingdoms.
Great read! Great work!
October 7, 2012
What makes "The Battle of Chibi," a 300 pager,such a worthwhile read is a feeling of global impact. Here is a mythos/history of ancient China worth absorbing. The world view of the most populous nation on earth and one that retains much of its ancient heritage should interest us, yet Western readers know little of its evolution. In this fascinating novel, which is part history, part fiction, part drama, and part poetry, Hock G. Tjoa ably takes on the mantle of translator and literary interpreter for a battle along a river that determined four hundred years of ancient Chinese history.
Tjoa does an excellent job at meeting his goal of providing the original in a more "readable and lively language as well as internal consistency." It's a worthwhile though not an easy read. As a boy in the book says, "I cannot remember all the names."
At the outset, the author provides useful background. The historical events were originally recounted in a classic Ming novel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," written in 1400 by Luo Guanzhong. In turn the "Romance" was a compilation of work by writers living in the third and fourth centuries AD. (The Arthurian legend immediately comes to mind.) Luo's version is in four volumes of 120 scenes/chapters, the first 80 of which is about the decline of the Han Dynasty and the rise of three kingdoms, a period of transition from 184 to 280 AD. Tjoa characterizes the divergence as one "between imperial unity and fragmentation."
The selections chosen from the "Romance" center on the Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs), dated 208AD, which Tjoa points out was "the tipping point" between the Han and Three Kingdoms periods. One of the three realms, the Shu, was led by Han loyalist Liu Bei. A second, the Wei, was led by Cao Cao the Usurper. Cao's plan was to become the new unifier of China, but his ambitions disqualified him in the eyes of the other two leaders. A third realm, the Wu led by Sun Quan, lay on the fringe of what was called All under Heaven, a name, says Tjoa, that equates to a Greco-Roman term, "the whole known civiilized world."
An interesting pattern emerges in the novel's three-part structure. To my eye, a dialectic of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis unifies the diversity of the structural components as well as underlining the clash of cultures. The dynasty's decline is vividly characterized by its eunuchs, warlords, and rebels. I became engaged in the story also through the spare, dramatically staged dialogue and the pleasing literary elements. The title of Chapter 8 ("Like Fish Seeking Water") is one example of how metaphor and poetry are used to illustrate what is going on. Here's another: "Screens, decorated with feathers,/Divide the space inside/Bamboo fences and fragrant flowers/Define the space outside."
A new world order emerges from the divisiveness, and though the country is no longer unified, neither is it so insularly focused. At the end of the day, Tjoa's work is historical romance in the most classic sense of the term. It would certainly lend itself to screen adaptation.
Anne Carlisle, Ph. D., reviewer
Tjoa does an excellent job at meeting his goal of providing the original in a more "readable and lively language as well as internal consistency." It's a worthwhile though not an easy read. As a boy in the book says, "I cannot remember all the names."
At the outset, the author provides useful background. The historical events were originally recounted in a classic Ming novel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," written in 1400 by Luo Guanzhong. In turn the "Romance" was a compilation of work by writers living in the third and fourth centuries AD. (The Arthurian legend immediately comes to mind.) Luo's version is in four volumes of 120 scenes/chapters, the first 80 of which is about the decline of the Han Dynasty and the rise of three kingdoms, a period of transition from 184 to 280 AD. Tjoa characterizes the divergence as one "between imperial unity and fragmentation."
The selections chosen from the "Romance" center on the Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs), dated 208AD, which Tjoa points out was "the tipping point" between the Han and Three Kingdoms periods. One of the three realms, the Shu, was led by Han loyalist Liu Bei. A second, the Wei, was led by Cao Cao the Usurper. Cao's plan was to become the new unifier of China, but his ambitions disqualified him in the eyes of the other two leaders. A third realm, the Wu led by Sun Quan, lay on the fringe of what was called All under Heaven, a name, says Tjoa, that equates to a Greco-Roman term, "the whole known civiilized world."
An interesting pattern emerges in the novel's three-part structure. To my eye, a dialectic of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis unifies the diversity of the structural components as well as underlining the clash of cultures. The dynasty's decline is vividly characterized by its eunuchs, warlords, and rebels. I became engaged in the story also through the spare, dramatically staged dialogue and the pleasing literary elements. The title of Chapter 8 ("Like Fish Seeking Water") is one example of how metaphor and poetry are used to illustrate what is going on. Here's another: "Screens, decorated with feathers,/Divide the space inside/Bamboo fences and fragrant flowers/Define the space outside."
A new world order emerges from the divisiveness, and though the country is no longer unified, neither is it so insularly focused. At the end of the day, Tjoa's work is historical romance in the most classic sense of the term. It would certainly lend itself to screen adaptation.
Anne Carlisle, Ph. D., reviewer
December 22, 2012
Other reviewers have discussed the plot of "The Battle of Chibi" so I won't reiterate it here. There is a long introduction which references the context of the original work, translations of some terms and even suggestions on how to read the book. This probably works better in paperback than for an e-book (I don't tend to flick back and forth when reading on Kindle) and I found myself skimming it, eager to start reading the thing itself. It was something I came back to at the end.
Likewise, there is a translator's preamble before each part. I can see why this is necessary - the translator does not want to misrepresent the original and so needs to tell us what he omitted - nevertheless, again, I found myself coming back to it later. When the book finally started - "This is the nature of the history of All under Heaven (China): when the empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart" - I was hooked immediately.
The first part is the most challenging. It's not the kind of book you can (should?) read once. I did get confused between the names at times but that was just unfamiliarity. It is like reading the Iliad or Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and so needs to be read and re-read. Like those, it is also full of violence and complex plots and some beautiful visual imagery. The art historian in me longs to see this in hardback with lavish illustrations.
I'm not qualified to comment on the accuracy of Tjoa's translation but the result is extremely readable with no affectations and a great flow, especially once the pace picks up in the second and third parts. The dialogue was also an easy read. There is a lot about strategy in the book (it is the history of a battle after all) but also about the nature of power and the way it corrupts and motivates individuals. A fascinating read that brought an epic to my attention.
Likewise, there is a translator's preamble before each part. I can see why this is necessary - the translator does not want to misrepresent the original and so needs to tell us what he omitted - nevertheless, again, I found myself coming back to it later. When the book finally started - "This is the nature of the history of All under Heaven (China): when the empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart" - I was hooked immediately.
The first part is the most challenging. It's not the kind of book you can (should?) read once. I did get confused between the names at times but that was just unfamiliarity. It is like reading the Iliad or Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and so needs to be read and re-read. Like those, it is also full of violence and complex plots and some beautiful visual imagery. The art historian in me longs to see this in hardback with lavish illustrations.
I'm not qualified to comment on the accuracy of Tjoa's translation but the result is extremely readable with no affectations and a great flow, especially once the pace picks up in the second and third parts. The dialogue was also an easy read. There is a lot about strategy in the book (it is the history of a battle after all) but also about the nature of power and the way it corrupts and motivates individuals. A fascinating read that brought an epic to my attention.
August 26, 2016
Long ago, along a stretch of a river deep and wide but far away from the consciousness or imagination of anyone outside All under Heaven, a battle was fought that determined the fate of its people for the next four hundred years. The Battle of Chibi vividly retells selections (translated by the author) from the great Chinese classic, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This novel combines fascinating characters in action as well as ideas in conflict and battle scenes, deception, and earnest debate; there is even a marriage arranged for the purpose of entrapping of the Loyalist leader. It weaves together stories, drama, poetry--events and episodes that have engrossed Asian readers and listeners for the last seventeen hundred years. Above all, the warriors and leaders in this retelling, their loyalties and conflicts, show why this classic has been valued as the best introduction to Chinese thought.
I wrote this so as to provide an accessible translation with dramatic unity for today's readers. I have also tried to simplify the names by limiting each character to only one or in rare cases two. There is also a Glossary of names that appear more than twice.
I wrote this so as to provide an accessible translation with dramatic unity for today's readers. I have also tried to simplify the names by limiting each character to only one or in rare cases two. There is also a Glossary of names that appear more than twice.
March 7, 2018
It’s quite apparent to me that the author of this translation of ancient Chinese history/fiction is a scholar who seeks to preserve his culture in current vernacular. The story is reminiscent of early narratives of many cultures. Warring tribes as well as battles for control of land and power are rich treasures of antiquity.
That being said, the collection of stories from the Battle of Chibi was quite difficult for me to read and comprehend. The author of this translation, Hock Tjoa, tries to create context with early maps and interspersed commentary. He presents a glossary of characters prior to reading this example of Chinese literature, yet I struggled to understand the importance of each. Who were the good guys and who were the bad ones? The prologue helps to set the story within the historical context of three separate kingdoms in ancient China. “When the Empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart; this is the nature of the history of All under Heaven [China].”
I applaud Tjoa’s tenacity for extending the readership of these ancient Chinese stories by translating them into English. Unfortunately, general readers will be as lost as I was trying to understand the political background of ancient Chinese society. For example, I knew nothing about the eunuchs who played a huge role in royal courts, even into modern history. I needed to research that element to understand the historical context. I would suggest adding the information within the prologue.
Just as ancient biblical texts have been translated into common vernacular, there is great merit in the preservation of The Battle of Chibi as an example of ancient Asian literature. On the negative side, the stories had no meaning for me. The characters were not developed by the author of this translation. Instead, Tjoa attempted to make them come to life by having the dialog more current. Nonetheless, within two pages we have Xun You, Xun Yu, and Xu You. Terribly confusing. In fact, there were so many characters, I was literally lost.
Since the author notes that other English translations of the Battle of Chibi exist, though not in more current vernacular, perhaps he would consider writing a historical novel based on Chibi, not a translation. There could be a main character, clearly identified, with a frame of reference for the story. A flowing narrative with a well-developed point of view could make this Chinese history come alive. I imagine Tjoa’s work would merit 5 stars in the eyes of a Chinese scholar. For me, it was a struggle.
That being said, the collection of stories from the Battle of Chibi was quite difficult for me to read and comprehend. The author of this translation, Hock Tjoa, tries to create context with early maps and interspersed commentary. He presents a glossary of characters prior to reading this example of Chinese literature, yet I struggled to understand the importance of each. Who were the good guys and who were the bad ones? The prologue helps to set the story within the historical context of three separate kingdoms in ancient China. “When the Empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart; this is the nature of the history of All under Heaven [China].”
I applaud Tjoa’s tenacity for extending the readership of these ancient Chinese stories by translating them into English. Unfortunately, general readers will be as lost as I was trying to understand the political background of ancient Chinese society. For example, I knew nothing about the eunuchs who played a huge role in royal courts, even into modern history. I needed to research that element to understand the historical context. I would suggest adding the information within the prologue.
Just as ancient biblical texts have been translated into common vernacular, there is great merit in the preservation of The Battle of Chibi as an example of ancient Asian literature. On the negative side, the stories had no meaning for me. The characters were not developed by the author of this translation. Instead, Tjoa attempted to make them come to life by having the dialog more current. Nonetheless, within two pages we have Xun You, Xun Yu, and Xu You. Terribly confusing. In fact, there were so many characters, I was literally lost.
Since the author notes that other English translations of the Battle of Chibi exist, though not in more current vernacular, perhaps he would consider writing a historical novel based on Chibi, not a translation. There could be a main character, clearly identified, with a frame of reference for the story. A flowing narrative with a well-developed point of view could make this Chinese history come alive. I imagine Tjoa’s work would merit 5 stars in the eyes of a Chinese scholar. For me, it was a struggle.
August 24, 2013
The Battle of Chibi is an historical war novel much in the spirit of the Old Testament. It is written in such a way that the tone is indistinguishable from books like Chronicles and Kings. Since I don't normally read books like this, I am going to review it on the merit of the writing and the story, as reviewing it on my emotional experience while reading would be unfair.
The beginning was slow, laborious, and frequently pointless. Too many extra characters were named who did not need to be named, the history of Chinese names could have been drastically shortened, and the explanation of characters (as at the beginning of a play) could have been easily left out, as it was meaningless since we didn't yet know the characters.
At about the 25% mark, and then again at the 50% mark, it picked up quite a bit and became pretty epic. Most of the characters named were side characters and so it took a while to figure out who actually mattered and how they related to the story; I'm still not sure on several accounts. However, it felt very grand, and it was interesting and even at times fascinating to watch how these major storylines and battles unfolded through deceit, trickery, familial obligation, magic, and a certain prophetic Daoist. By the end of the story I felt pretty connected to half a dozen of the characters. I loved the way the woman warrior at the end handled herself and the obvious emphasis on family and honor, which felt authentic instead of obnoxiously stereotypical (as one would expect from a native writing an actual legend, as opposed to an old white guy writing about ninjas).
If you like historical legends or war novels, pick up this unique epic. You're sure to enjoy it.
The beginning was slow, laborious, and frequently pointless. Too many extra characters were named who did not need to be named, the history of Chinese names could have been drastically shortened, and the explanation of characters (as at the beginning of a play) could have been easily left out, as it was meaningless since we didn't yet know the characters.
At about the 25% mark, and then again at the 50% mark, it picked up quite a bit and became pretty epic. Most of the characters named were side characters and so it took a while to figure out who actually mattered and how they related to the story; I'm still not sure on several accounts. However, it felt very grand, and it was interesting and even at times fascinating to watch how these major storylines and battles unfolded through deceit, trickery, familial obligation, magic, and a certain prophetic Daoist. By the end of the story I felt pretty connected to half a dozen of the characters. I loved the way the woman warrior at the end handled herself and the obvious emphasis on family and honor, which felt authentic instead of obnoxiously stereotypical (as one would expect from a native writing an actual legend, as opposed to an old white guy writing about ninjas).
If you like historical legends or war novels, pick up this unique epic. You're sure to enjoy it.
December 22, 2017
The Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs) is an ancient and complex Chinese saga superbly edited and translated by author/scholar Hock Tjoa. As a scholarly work, it is an absolute triumph. The source materials seem very elaborate and daunting, and the author should be lauded for presenting this material to modern western audiences.
With that being said, however, although the book is a stupendous cultural achievement, actually reading it is a bit polarizing. Many reviewers have praised the characters and storylines, but I found it all to be just too much. It's not just that there are an astounding amount of characters -- the issue is none of them are really developed enough to distinguish them or care about them. This is obviously no fault of Mr. Tjoa; this is often the nature of ancient sagas, no matter which culture they originate from.
Mr. Tjoa himself is quite fascinating, however, and I would love to see him devote his efforts to a literary work that could really showcase his academic and literary talents. In addition to Chibi, he has also written classic Chinese plays, and modern-day Asian spymaster tales. I, however, would love to see him write a full-length novel in the style and setting of Chibi, but with well-developed characters and storylines: Warriors, emperors, princesses, eunuchs, bandits, peasants, and philosophers. Perhaps a "Game of Thrones" meets "The Last Airbender." Considering his talent, I'll bet it would be awesome.
With that being said, however, although the book is a stupendous cultural achievement, actually reading it is a bit polarizing. Many reviewers have praised the characters and storylines, but I found it all to be just too much. It's not just that there are an astounding amount of characters -- the issue is none of them are really developed enough to distinguish them or care about them. This is obviously no fault of Mr. Tjoa; this is often the nature of ancient sagas, no matter which culture they originate from.
Mr. Tjoa himself is quite fascinating, however, and I would love to see him devote his efforts to a literary work that could really showcase his academic and literary talents. In addition to Chibi, he has also written classic Chinese plays, and modern-day Asian spymaster tales. I, however, would love to see him write a full-length novel in the style and setting of Chibi, but with well-developed characters and storylines: Warriors, emperors, princesses, eunuchs, bandits, peasants, and philosophers. Perhaps a "Game of Thrones" meets "The Last Airbender." Considering his talent, I'll bet it would be awesome.
December 1, 2013
Whatever the origin of the saying “All politics is personal,” it makes an apt description of the series of quicksilver alliances and multi-layered betrayals depicted in THE BATTLE OF CHIBI (RED CLIFFS), as translated and retold by Hock G. Tjoa.
Whether it was the vastness of the Chinese countryside, its majestic beauty, its immense wealth or a peculiarly Chinese penchant for all-or-nothing gambles, the characters we meet in these ancient tales of conquest are compulsively driven to seek glory in battle. As such, they stop at nothing to map their personal vendettas onto “the will of the gods” or “the good of the people.”
While accounts of such exploits can make for gripping reading, the ancient texts this retelling is based on share characteristics with other epics of similar vintage. Undoubtedly first heard in poetry and song, this saga spins out an unending stream of events without the shaping structures of metacommunication and summation we take for granted in modern prose.
As a result, many segments of this epic trace a familiar cycle as:
“A smites B, who is avenged by C, who is dissuaded from further retribution by an alliance with D, who earns a jump in rank and privilege for his leadership in a time of crisis.”
From that point on all is well—until E besmirches the honor of D and the cycle begins again. Despite the action, gore and high-flown emotion they imply, a lengthy series of such cycles can have a numbing effect on the imagination.
That said, you only need to adjust your expectations to appreciate Tjoa’s work on its own terms. Read without false assumptions, the battle scenes, counsels of war and tales of palace intrigue have an appeal of their own, each imbued with elements unique to the collective consciousness of ancient Chinese culture. In light of that, I’m sure this volume will be of particular interest to anyone already versed in the culture of that period.
At the same time, for many readers, the monumental effort required to render this work in English will be wasted. That’s because, for the most part, the book is inaccessible to anyone not yet immersed in the study of ancient cultures. Given that, Tjoa might well consider spinning off a few strands from the vast, Romance of the Three Kingdoms into a series of novellas that develop the themes of the larger work through the actions of selected characters.
Whether by throwing us in the saddle with the brave He Jin or letting us see a few episodes from this tumultuous time through the eyes of his servants, the author might consider presenting the fruits of his painstaking work in a more accessible format.
Regardless, this compilation makes an important contribution to our general knowledge of Chinese history and literature. If nothing else, it ought to also serve as a cautionary tale for our own age—as it continues to be torn apart by self-aggrandizement, greed, tortuous ideology and unspeakable violence.
Whether it was the vastness of the Chinese countryside, its majestic beauty, its immense wealth or a peculiarly Chinese penchant for all-or-nothing gambles, the characters we meet in these ancient tales of conquest are compulsively driven to seek glory in battle. As such, they stop at nothing to map their personal vendettas onto “the will of the gods” or “the good of the people.”
While accounts of such exploits can make for gripping reading, the ancient texts this retelling is based on share characteristics with other epics of similar vintage. Undoubtedly first heard in poetry and song, this saga spins out an unending stream of events without the shaping structures of metacommunication and summation we take for granted in modern prose.
As a result, many segments of this epic trace a familiar cycle as:
“A smites B, who is avenged by C, who is dissuaded from further retribution by an alliance with D, who earns a jump in rank and privilege for his leadership in a time of crisis.”
From that point on all is well—until E besmirches the honor of D and the cycle begins again. Despite the action, gore and high-flown emotion they imply, a lengthy series of such cycles can have a numbing effect on the imagination.
That said, you only need to adjust your expectations to appreciate Tjoa’s work on its own terms. Read without false assumptions, the battle scenes, counsels of war and tales of palace intrigue have an appeal of their own, each imbued with elements unique to the collective consciousness of ancient Chinese culture. In light of that, I’m sure this volume will be of particular interest to anyone already versed in the culture of that period.
At the same time, for many readers, the monumental effort required to render this work in English will be wasted. That’s because, for the most part, the book is inaccessible to anyone not yet immersed in the study of ancient cultures. Given that, Tjoa might well consider spinning off a few strands from the vast, Romance of the Three Kingdoms into a series of novellas that develop the themes of the larger work through the actions of selected characters.
Whether by throwing us in the saddle with the brave He Jin or letting us see a few episodes from this tumultuous time through the eyes of his servants, the author might consider presenting the fruits of his painstaking work in a more accessible format.
Regardless, this compilation makes an important contribution to our general knowledge of Chinese history and literature. If nothing else, it ought to also serve as a cautionary tale for our own age—as it continues to be torn apart by self-aggrandizement, greed, tortuous ideology and unspeakable violence.
December 14, 2012
The Battle of Chibi (Red Cliffs) – Selections from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (compiled by Luo Guanzhong), translated by Hock G. Tjoa
I have long thought that the Chinese must be the originators as well as remain the masters of the ‘one-liner’, and Hock ‘s translation of this mighty work confirms that many times. But it is very much more than that. It gives an early insight into the composite mind of a nation that is emerging once again as a world power.
Unfortunately I was not able to give it the concentration it deserves, but I recognised that it would amply reward all the concentration a reader could give it. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, covers a period in Chinese history from 184 to 280 A.D. and is in three parts. In his helpful introduction to this translation Hock writes "Its primary purpose is to put under the microscope a transitional period in history, classically viewed by the Chinese as swinging between imperial unity and fragmentation of the nation." He also says it "is perhaps the best introduction to “Chinese thought” to be found in classical Chinese literature." (And it) "has tried to capture such an overview of ChineseThought as well as to tell the story of the battle at Chibi."
There is also a helpful cast list to help navigate through the many unfamiliar names. Luo Guanzhong’s style is interesting. Often, rather than describing what is going on, he tells it through conversations by those taking part in the action punctuated by brief passages of ‘showing’. This gives a sense of immediacy and, in the case of the battle itself, reduces the amount of gore. I did wonder if it might detract from humanity of the events, but passages such as the following are by no means short of drama or suffering: "Thus they took the small mountain path to Huarong. The men were famished and the horses utterly spent; scorched, their heads hanging low, they plodded on. Those pierced by spear or arrow also continued with their soaked gear and clothes. No one was in complete battle dress. Their cooking utensils as well as their banners had been dropped by the wayside piece after piece. More than half of those who started off on the Yiling road had been overcome in battle or dreaded the thought of further combat."
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to understand our volatile world a little better.
I have long thought that the Chinese must be the originators as well as remain the masters of the ‘one-liner’, and Hock ‘s translation of this mighty work confirms that many times. But it is very much more than that. It gives an early insight into the composite mind of a nation that is emerging once again as a world power.
Unfortunately I was not able to give it the concentration it deserves, but I recognised that it would amply reward all the concentration a reader could give it. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, covers a period in Chinese history from 184 to 280 A.D. and is in three parts. In his helpful introduction to this translation Hock writes "Its primary purpose is to put under the microscope a transitional period in history, classically viewed by the Chinese as swinging between imperial unity and fragmentation of the nation." He also says it "is perhaps the best introduction to “Chinese thought” to be found in classical Chinese literature." (And it) "has tried to capture such an overview of ChineseThought as well as to tell the story of the battle at Chibi."
There is also a helpful cast list to help navigate through the many unfamiliar names. Luo Guanzhong’s style is interesting. Often, rather than describing what is going on, he tells it through conversations by those taking part in the action punctuated by brief passages of ‘showing’. This gives a sense of immediacy and, in the case of the battle itself, reduces the amount of gore. I did wonder if it might detract from humanity of the events, but passages such as the following are by no means short of drama or suffering: "Thus they took the small mountain path to Huarong. The men were famished and the horses utterly spent; scorched, their heads hanging low, they plodded on. Those pierced by spear or arrow also continued with their soaked gear and clothes. No one was in complete battle dress. Their cooking utensils as well as their banners had been dropped by the wayside piece after piece. More than half of those who started off on the Yiling road had been overcome in battle or dreaded the thought of further combat."
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to understand our volatile world a little better.
June 24, 2013
I love that this book is so welcoming to those of us with limited knowledge of Chinese history -- the "Note About Reading This Book" that starts the book is a graceful, opening door that draws all readers in, and I thought that was well done.
Of course, that would be wasted if the rest of the book weren't top-notch -- but The Battle of Chibi is excellent and reads like the very best combination of old world fairy tales and historical adventure stories. Anyone who remembers reading a Brothers Grimm collection knows that those tales were not the fluff conjured by the worlds "fairy tale" -- they were searing adventure stories and moralistic fables told in language that got straight to the action. The Battle of Chibi does the same, planting the reader firmly in the story but creating a sense of formal otherworldliness with careful use of words and pacing.
In places, the different pieces of the work read almost like a screenplay, with conversational back-and-forth introduced with a name and a colon. In another work this might bother me, but it fit here. We are seeing action as it unfolds, and the quick exposition helped me feel the urgency.
I would recommend this work to any student of history -- Chinese or not -- but also to anyone who loves a good tactical fairy tale (I assuire you there is such a thing). Hock Tjoa brings history to life in The Battle of Chibi.
Of course, that would be wasted if the rest of the book weren't top-notch -- but The Battle of Chibi is excellent and reads like the very best combination of old world fairy tales and historical adventure stories. Anyone who remembers reading a Brothers Grimm collection knows that those tales were not the fluff conjured by the worlds "fairy tale" -- they were searing adventure stories and moralistic fables told in language that got straight to the action. The Battle of Chibi does the same, planting the reader firmly in the story but creating a sense of formal otherworldliness with careful use of words and pacing.
In places, the different pieces of the work read almost like a screenplay, with conversational back-and-forth introduced with a name and a colon. In another work this might bother me, but it fit here. We are seeing action as it unfolds, and the quick exposition helped me feel the urgency.
I would recommend this work to any student of history -- Chinese or not -- but also to anyone who loves a good tactical fairy tale (I assuire you there is such a thing). Hock Tjoa brings history to life in The Battle of Chibi.
September 1, 2011
It took me a bit to get into it, it felt a bit like when I read an ancient piece of Greek literature that has been translated... it just didn't flow for me right out of the gate. Once I was able to get the characters squared away and into the flow of the story, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I particularly enjoyed the intrigue and strategies employed by the different parties in the story and then I have to remind myself that this isn't entirely fiction, the battle of Chibi really took place.
I admit that prior to reading this, I knew very little about Chinese history or culture beyond the last 50 years or so. This has definitely piqued my interest and I hope to find more about the great nation of China and how it came to become what it is.
For what it's worth, John Woo has also produced a film about the same battle, unrelated to the book. However, thanks to this book I'll be checking that out too.
This was a First-Reads selection.
I admit that prior to reading this, I knew very little about Chinese history or culture beyond the last 50 years or so. This has definitely piqued my interest and I hope to find more about the great nation of China and how it came to become what it is.
For what it's worth, John Woo has also produced a film about the same battle, unrelated to the book. However, thanks to this book I'll be checking that out too.
This was a First-Reads selection.
October 15, 2012
In THE BATTLE OF CHIBI, Hock G. Tjoa has translated the pivotal section of THE ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS, and provided readers with an accessible, accurate and stirring glimpse into that brutal world.
The action here, as in the entire book, concerns the deeds of three great heroes, a great sage-strategist, a classic villain and many others who are somewhere in between. All live in a time when the world is in constantly at war. There is not a moment when plots are not being hatched, cabals and alliances made and undermined, battles fought, murders planned, ways to seize power calculated.
The pursuit of dominance distorts all traditional values and shapes the psychology, virtuous or otherwise, of every single person in the book. Hock is faithful in conveying the devastating impact of this great classic in which no amount of goodness, wisdom, elegance, guile, or valor can enable one to escape from endless and unrelenting violence.
The action here, as in the entire book, concerns the deeds of three great heroes, a great sage-strategist, a classic villain and many others who are somewhere in between. All live in a time when the world is in constantly at war. There is not a moment when plots are not being hatched, cabals and alliances made and undermined, battles fought, murders planned, ways to seize power calculated.
The pursuit of dominance distorts all traditional values and shapes the psychology, virtuous or otherwise, of every single person in the book. Hock is faithful in conveying the devastating impact of this great classic in which no amount of goodness, wisdom, elegance, guile, or valor can enable one to escape from endless and unrelenting violence.
December 4, 2012
The Battle of Chibi is the tip of an iceberg. Tjoa whets the appetite with this condensation of an epic work on the decline of the Han Dynasty, filled with intrigue, bloody rebellions, military strategies, dirty politics, mysticism, betrayal, and honor. Not a light read, but one to be digested slowly as the reader becomes acquainted with the major players and their politics: the tyrant warlord, Dong Zhou; the ambitious, strategic-minded warlord, Cao Cao; the southern commander, Zhou Yu and his rival, the military strategist, Zhuge Liang; and of course, the loyalsit allied brotherhood of Lui Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
The brief narrative is liberally interspersed with lively dialogue that leads the reader through the beginning in Part One to the more exciting culmination of the warring factions at the battle of Chibi in Part Two, and gently into the after effects with the birth of the Three Kingdoms in Part Three. Though a bit tedious at the start, well worth the effort.
The brief narrative is liberally interspersed with lively dialogue that leads the reader through the beginning in Part One to the more exciting culmination of the warring factions at the battle of Chibi in Part Two, and gently into the after effects with the birth of the Three Kingdoms in Part Three. Though a bit tedious at the start, well worth the effort.
February 6, 2017
This is the second book by Hock Tjoa that I have read.
The Battle of Chibi is the translation of the well-known Chinese epic The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It starts at the end of the Han Dynasty, 169 A.D. The whole time period is represented in a fascinating way that is made understandable to lay people. In this translation, the insight into the world and thoughts of the Chinese during this time period is accessible and easy(ish) to read. The power struggle between the warlords and the intrigue between those striving for power is really human nature and has never been any different. What I find fascinating is the sizes of the armies which must correlate with the size of the population at the time. This is a great introduction to the ancient Chinese culture and this is a must-read for anyone interested in this.
The Battle of Chibi is the translation of the well-known Chinese epic The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It starts at the end of the Han Dynasty, 169 A.D. The whole time period is represented in a fascinating way that is made understandable to lay people. In this translation, the insight into the world and thoughts of the Chinese during this time period is accessible and easy(ish) to read. The power struggle between the warlords and the intrigue between those striving for power is really human nature and has never been any different. What I find fascinating is the sizes of the armies which must correlate with the size of the population at the time. This is a great introduction to the ancient Chinese culture and this is a must-read for anyone interested in this.
April 28, 2017
Phew, this really is an epic. I am fascinated by chinease history so I was really looking forward to this novel. I'm not really into military strategy however and so I did find it hard initially to get going and keep going. The names and numbers of characters are daunting but I soon realised it didn't matter, you only remember the important ones - so I plodded on and slowly I was drawn into the conflict and violence, the romance and poetry. A fascinating, mystical, intimidating read. Thank you Professor Tjoa for taking the time and devotion to translate and then adapt The Romance Of The Three Kingdoms so everyone can read this classic piece of ancient Chinese history.
June 8, 2012
I graciously received a signed copy of this book through a first reads giveaway.
The first third of this book left me bored and dreading having to wade through 300 pages. There were too many characters and I just couldn't keep track of what was going on.
However, the book then picked up, I could follow what was going on, and I found myself attached to the book. I finished the last 2/3rds in like 2 days. If the whole book would have been this way I would have given it 4 stars.
Def recommend to anyone who likes battles and strategies.
The first third of this book left me bored and dreading having to wade through 300 pages. There were too many characters and I just couldn't keep track of what was going on.
However, the book then picked up, I could follow what was going on, and I found myself attached to the book. I finished the last 2/3rds in like 2 days. If the whole book would have been this way I would have given it 4 stars.
Def recommend to anyone who likes battles and strategies.
July 6, 2012
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book and appreciate winning it as well as the author autographing it. It took a few pages to become familiar with the Chinese names but it was worth getting through them. I had a hard time putting the book down.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
December 5, 2012
I would consider myself a bit of a history nerd, which is why this book did indeed look quite interesting. However, I knew very little about Chinese history altogether, let alone Chinese military history.
I have to say that I did enjoy the book though, thought it was very interesting.
I have to say that I did enjoy the book though, thought it was very interesting.
July 23, 2011
Goodreads giveaway!
WOW. So much history packed into it. At first I thought it was some sort of Japanese related stuff, but it is actually based off of China!
WOW. So much history packed into it. At first I thought it was some sort of Japanese related stuff, but it is actually based off of China!
August 4, 2011
Really enjoyed this book, fascinating and well written Thank you
January 31, 2014
A good book. Enough said. No criticisms. No complaints.
February 26, 2017
This is an English translation of one of the key moments from Luo Guanzhong’s historical book ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’, one of the greatest works of literature from China. The moment is the battle fought between 3 warlords for control over the entire Chinese area after the fall of Han Dynasty. The failure of one to do so led to the almost 60-80-year division of China till Jin Dynasty reunified it in 280AD - historians differ on the years of the end of Han dynasty and beginning of troubles. Some say that more than a thirty million people died in wars during these years. It is important to note that China had monarchist rule for 2,000 years, till early twentieth century, when it ended, had an election and then rose to a modern socialist state under Communist rule.
Written in 1300s and first printed in 1500s, ‘Kingdoms‘ took its inspiration from Chinese operatic tradition, actual historical truth and various religious beliefs and values. Those who have grown up on fictional Game of Thrones, non-fiction Ottoman empire account Magnificent Century and the travails of King Henry VIII will have no difficulty in understanding the political intrigues, administrative chaos, double crosses, fatalistic ambitions, mass killings and human frailty that ‘Kingdoms’ is layered with, but you will need to brush up on Chinese history, philosophy and the role and place of period of ‘Kingdoms’ and people from it, to fully appreciate this translated work - though it provides the background of key players, events leading up to the battle and its aftermath.
The 3 areas that made the Three Kingdoms were Wei, Wu and Shu Han - each had several provinces and were naturally divided along the Yangtze river and the mountains. The novel primarily focussed on the end of the Han Dynasty when civil war broke out - the vacuum filled by religious sects, local governors and warlords - and less on the actual tenure of the divided China. It’s the journey that matters, not the end. Nevertheless, the crux of the story has always been on how the emperor of Wei defeated both Shu Han and Wu armies to unify China. However, before that, there was the David vs. Goliath magnum opus between Bei and Quan with Cao Cao on the rivers of Chibi (now the place is known as Chibi, near Puqi, Hubei province). Interestingly, Mao Zedong identified with Cao Cao, the warlord of Wei, who tried to unify (or control) entire Chinese area, even though in ‘Kingdoms’ as well in this translation he is reviled - called an usurper and scoundrel! But the great thing about Chinese thought and other East Asian literature is that they keep reinterpreting people, so no one is eternally good or eternally bad - they just happened to make one wrong choice or two and good man with good intentions can do something terribly wrong and a bad man can have some redeeming quality. This is a layer and depth missing from historical and fictional accounts from Western story telling.
The first line of the book ‘When the Empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart; this is the nature of the history of All under Heaven’ is a line as famous as Austen’s ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged‘ and equally true!
The story starts with bad omens in 184AD. One ordinary man Jue meets a Daoist master in a cave who tells him he’s The One to save the people and make peace. Jue becomes a powerful religious leader and miracle worker with huge following who then decides to overthrow the empire. He is leader of the rebels. The emperor orders military commander to recruit locals to fight the rebels. Three commoners - Bei, Fei and Yu form a brotherhood and volunteer to save the empire. They bravely save the life of an arrogant general Dong Zhuo who does not even say much of a thankyou for their efforts because they are of lowly births. Later on, even though Bei is made magistrate in a county in recognition of his bravery, he is humiliated by a bureaucrat and leaves the office with Fei and Yu. He ultimately becomes a military commander, general, lord and ruler of a province.
Meanwhile, the emperor is as clueless as ever of the rising insurgencies and unrest in the country because of the total control to information by the Ten Eunuchs (leaders of 200 imperial guards who rose to prominence through manipulating empresses and royal members). Councilors and Commander-in-Chief He Jin are killed on their orders! They are in turn killed by Dong Zhou who becomes the ‘prime minister’ under new emperor.
The Cao Cao show begins on the fringes of these developments - he is the son of a man brought up by an imperial eunuch but is not of nobel birth himself and yet he valiantly writes himself into Chinese history by being the man who stood for unification when all the rest believed it would lead to loss of freedom under him. He gets support for launching a movement against Dong Zhou to restore the empire. Cavalries are raised by different provincial heads. And paths of Cao Cao cross with the three-in-brotherhood Bei, Fei, Yu. Dong Zhou’s sympathiser Xiong is defeated by Cao Cao-brotherhood alliance. Another alliance warlord Yuan Shao does not agree with Cao when the latter suggests taking Dong Zhou head on and removing him. Ironically, Cao Cao later defeats Yuan Shao and becomes prime minister.
And so it continues. Former alliances break and Bei, Fei, Yu finds themselves on a warpath with Cao Cao: ‘An inferior power might win through superior planning, while simply being stubborn might leave one friendless and lost.’
There are funny scenes right after the Battle ends and Cao Cao is on the run.
Since this is a translation, the reader will do well to study the meanings and values of various actions: of political pragmatism, shortsightedness, arrogance, heroism, melancholy, duty, low life expectancy. There are interpretations out there on masculine ideals in the life cycles of the key characters; nature of friendship and endless war. There is discussion on the relevance of these old-time tales in modern age. The story is revisited time and again in popular cultural tools such as films and video games. So are Hamlet, MacBeth and King Lear - but they rarely move beyond one-dimensional characteristics or life trajectories and their fates are pre-determined. The superstition, destiny and plans all converge in Three Kingdoms and every single time they mean some new win, loss, hope - representing the life cycle as it truly is.
I received a free pdf of the book in a goodreads group for a fair, non-reciprocal review.
Written in 1300s and first printed in 1500s, ‘Kingdoms‘ took its inspiration from Chinese operatic tradition, actual historical truth and various religious beliefs and values. Those who have grown up on fictional Game of Thrones, non-fiction Ottoman empire account Magnificent Century and the travails of King Henry VIII will have no difficulty in understanding the political intrigues, administrative chaos, double crosses, fatalistic ambitions, mass killings and human frailty that ‘Kingdoms’ is layered with, but you will need to brush up on Chinese history, philosophy and the role and place of period of ‘Kingdoms’ and people from it, to fully appreciate this translated work - though it provides the background of key players, events leading up to the battle and its aftermath.
The 3 areas that made the Three Kingdoms were Wei, Wu and Shu Han - each had several provinces and were naturally divided along the Yangtze river and the mountains. The novel primarily focussed on the end of the Han Dynasty when civil war broke out - the vacuum filled by religious sects, local governors and warlords - and less on the actual tenure of the divided China. It’s the journey that matters, not the end. Nevertheless, the crux of the story has always been on how the emperor of Wei defeated both Shu Han and Wu armies to unify China. However, before that, there was the David vs. Goliath magnum opus between Bei and Quan with Cao Cao on the rivers of Chibi (now the place is known as Chibi, near Puqi, Hubei province). Interestingly, Mao Zedong identified with Cao Cao, the warlord of Wei, who tried to unify (or control) entire Chinese area, even though in ‘Kingdoms’ as well in this translation he is reviled - called an usurper and scoundrel! But the great thing about Chinese thought and other East Asian literature is that they keep reinterpreting people, so no one is eternally good or eternally bad - they just happened to make one wrong choice or two and good man with good intentions can do something terribly wrong and a bad man can have some redeeming quality. This is a layer and depth missing from historical and fictional accounts from Western story telling.
The first line of the book ‘When the Empire is divided for long, it unites; when united for long, it falls apart; this is the nature of the history of All under Heaven’ is a line as famous as Austen’s ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged‘ and equally true!
The story starts with bad omens in 184AD. One ordinary man Jue meets a Daoist master in a cave who tells him he’s The One to save the people and make peace. Jue becomes a powerful religious leader and miracle worker with huge following who then decides to overthrow the empire. He is leader of the rebels. The emperor orders military commander to recruit locals to fight the rebels. Three commoners - Bei, Fei and Yu form a brotherhood and volunteer to save the empire. They bravely save the life of an arrogant general Dong Zhuo who does not even say much of a thankyou for their efforts because they are of lowly births. Later on, even though Bei is made magistrate in a county in recognition of his bravery, he is humiliated by a bureaucrat and leaves the office with Fei and Yu. He ultimately becomes a military commander, general, lord and ruler of a province.
Meanwhile, the emperor is as clueless as ever of the rising insurgencies and unrest in the country because of the total control to information by the Ten Eunuchs (leaders of 200 imperial guards who rose to prominence through manipulating empresses and royal members). Councilors and Commander-in-Chief He Jin are killed on their orders! They are in turn killed by Dong Zhou who becomes the ‘prime minister’ under new emperor.
The Cao Cao show begins on the fringes of these developments - he is the son of a man brought up by an imperial eunuch but is not of nobel birth himself and yet he valiantly writes himself into Chinese history by being the man who stood for unification when all the rest believed it would lead to loss of freedom under him. He gets support for launching a movement against Dong Zhou to restore the empire. Cavalries are raised by different provincial heads. And paths of Cao Cao cross with the three-in-brotherhood Bei, Fei, Yu. Dong Zhou’s sympathiser Xiong is defeated by Cao Cao-brotherhood alliance. Another alliance warlord Yuan Shao does not agree with Cao when the latter suggests taking Dong Zhou head on and removing him. Ironically, Cao Cao later defeats Yuan Shao and becomes prime minister.
And so it continues. Former alliances break and Bei, Fei, Yu finds themselves on a warpath with Cao Cao: ‘An inferior power might win through superior planning, while simply being stubborn might leave one friendless and lost.’
There are funny scenes right after the Battle ends and Cao Cao is on the run.
Since this is a translation, the reader will do well to study the meanings and values of various actions: of political pragmatism, shortsightedness, arrogance, heroism, melancholy, duty, low life expectancy. There are interpretations out there on masculine ideals in the life cycles of the key characters; nature of friendship and endless war. There is discussion on the relevance of these old-time tales in modern age. The story is revisited time and again in popular cultural tools such as films and video games. So are Hamlet, MacBeth and King Lear - but they rarely move beyond one-dimensional characteristics or life trajectories and their fates are pre-determined. The superstition, destiny and plans all converge in Three Kingdoms and every single time they mean some new win, loss, hope - representing the life cycle as it truly is.
I received a free pdf of the book in a goodreads group for a fair, non-reciprocal review.
November 22, 2017
This seems overwhelming at first - but is definitely worth sticking with it for the treasure inside. This story is a blend of genres that speaks across culture and time, really making connections with readers who can see that people are, on an emotional and social level, the same no matter when or where we live. Politics and war seems so large and impersonal, but the personal shows through in this sweeping saga. I am not familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and this seems like a fantastic introduction to a classic that should be more well-known and hopefully, with Tjoa's work here, will be. A very readable, enjoyable way to absorb some fascinating history.
December 17, 2016
I would describe The Battle of Chibi as an epic novel of war, but also there was a lot of romance and poetry in the story. It did take a little time for me to get into the book. Reading the e-book version, there was a huge amount of preamble and explanation as well as a guide for how to read the book before I could actually get to the actual book. And then once you start reading, there are huge number of names to keep track of. It was a little daunting.
Ultimately however, it's an incredibly compelling story about a battle between three kingdoms led respectively by Bei, Cao, and Quan. Although there are many characters, you do get to know very well about seven or so characters and become very attached and want to know more about their story. It starts to pick up a lot before about page 100, and by about the halfway point, I could not stop reading!
I love books where I actually can learn something by reading it, and this is a great example. I love learning the Chinese ancient culture. I thought this was very well translated and I love the language of it. The descriptions were poetic and beautiful.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It does take some time to get into, but it is well worth it!
Ultimately however, it's an incredibly compelling story about a battle between three kingdoms led respectively by Bei, Cao, and Quan. Although there are many characters, you do get to know very well about seven or so characters and become very attached and want to know more about their story. It starts to pick up a lot before about page 100, and by about the halfway point, I could not stop reading!
I love books where I actually can learn something by reading it, and this is a great example. I love learning the Chinese ancient culture. I thought this was very well translated and I love the language of it. The descriptions were poetic and beautiful.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. It does take some time to get into, but it is well worth it!
November 6, 2017
Well worth the effort.
This book comprises a selection of chapters translated and annotated from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, an 800,000 word 14th century novel set in a turbulent period of Chinese history more than a thousand years earlier. Part historical, part mythological, it is one of the classics of Chinese Literature. And like most literary classics, not exactly a quick or easy read.
While the author´s introduction and comments do much to place the story in context, the first chapters of the book, summing up the events leading up to the actual Battle of Chibi, or Red Cliffs, is such a litany of minor events and characters that it almost reads like a telephone book. A bit of a cold shower to start off with, but once you get into it, or past it, it all comes nicely together, picking up pace and gaining color to reveal a fascinating, epic world of intrigue, strategy and treachery akin to that of Game of Thrones.
This book comprises a selection of chapters translated and annotated from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, an 800,000 word 14th century novel set in a turbulent period of Chinese history more than a thousand years earlier. Part historical, part mythological, it is one of the classics of Chinese Literature. And like most literary classics, not exactly a quick or easy read.
While the author´s introduction and comments do much to place the story in context, the first chapters of the book, summing up the events leading up to the actual Battle of Chibi, or Red Cliffs, is such a litany of minor events and characters that it almost reads like a telephone book. A bit of a cold shower to start off with, but once you get into it, or past it, it all comes nicely together, picking up pace and gaining color to reveal a fascinating, epic world of intrigue, strategy and treachery akin to that of Game of Thrones.
May 15, 2016
I found this book to be enlightening in that I do believe I have a better understanding of the Chinese way of thinking. Without any knowledge of the characters, places, and basic history, however, it took me about a third of the book just to understand the loyalties of the different players without referring back. Although I learned a lot about this period in the history of China, I still felt like I was sitting in Latin class that last semester and having to translate Julius Caesar's war journal. There was nothing really animated about the storytelling, just a lot of fact flinging. After all the disputes and intrigue, the book felt like it left us hanging. We are told what happened to the main characters up to a point, but it would have been nice to read about the lives of the remaining principle players in this drama.
August 16, 2019
This was an initially difficult read, but worth the effort. I may have to go back to this again as the earlier sections were hard to follow, but after having finished, some of it may make more sense; I think most of the trouble is the number of characters will similar names. The story itself is told beautifully with poetry scattered throughout.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
April 7, 2018
This is clearly a work filled with the devotion of an author who wants to preserve and honor the history of his people. I am filled with admiration for the sheer amount of work that went into the translation process itself, and have nothing but respect for the effort that went into making this a story more palatable for those of us who know next to nothing about ancient China.
That said, I found reading this a daunting task, especially as the author deemed it necessary to include a section on how to read the book in the first place. I'm grateful that I was able to read on my computer rather than an e-reader, which made it somewhat easier to return to those reading instructions and character lists as I read. I often found myself confused by the many similar character names, and had to set myself straight.
Sadly, my biggest takeaway after reading was that mankind's "all for me and nothing for you" attitudes in relation to land, resources and riches is clearly universal and seemingly eternal. In spite of all the many changes that have taken place over the centuries, the desire to go to war with our fellow man remains unchanged, and our justifications for launching such campaigns still speak to the underlying greed of the rich older men who care little for the younger men they send to their deaths.
A challenging read, but well worth the effort.
That said, I found reading this a daunting task, especially as the author deemed it necessary to include a section on how to read the book in the first place. I'm grateful that I was able to read on my computer rather than an e-reader, which made it somewhat easier to return to those reading instructions and character lists as I read. I often found myself confused by the many similar character names, and had to set myself straight.
Sadly, my biggest takeaway after reading was that mankind's "all for me and nothing for you" attitudes in relation to land, resources and riches is clearly universal and seemingly eternal. In spite of all the many changes that have taken place over the centuries, the desire to go to war with our fellow man remains unchanged, and our justifications for launching such campaigns still speak to the underlying greed of the rich older men who care little for the younger men they send to their deaths.
A challenging read, but well worth the effort.
November 8, 2017
An Epic War saga
Though The Battle of Chibi is an abridged version of the historical Chinese novel: “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” it is still undeniably a daunting read, mainly because it leaves out many human elements of the saga, focusing principally on the battle. For example, it introduces the three main protagonists, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei at the point where they take their famous oath, swearing to die together. The original saga—The Romance—on the other hand, gives more insight into the life story of these men as well as indications on how they first met, offering the reader, not only clarity but interest as well. Knowledge of the back-story—of Liu Bei as an impoverished young man who made a living selling straw sandals and weaving grass mats, or of Zhang Fei as a wine-seller and butcher, seems at once more appealing than the intimidating story of war. But, of course, the battles are an integral part of The Romance and focusing on them does not in any way dilute the power of the work. It, in fact, offers an accessible and stirring glimpse into the dramatic lives of feudal lords who held sway in China in an era sheathed in myth, magic, and deadly power struggles. It is undeniably a fascinating epic.
Though The Battle of Chibi is an abridged version of the historical Chinese novel: “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” it is still undeniably a daunting read, mainly because it leaves out many human elements of the saga, focusing principally on the battle. For example, it introduces the three main protagonists, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei at the point where they take their famous oath, swearing to die together. The original saga—The Romance—on the other hand, gives more insight into the life story of these men as well as indications on how they first met, offering the reader, not only clarity but interest as well. Knowledge of the back-story—of Liu Bei as an impoverished young man who made a living selling straw sandals and weaving grass mats, or of Zhang Fei as a wine-seller and butcher, seems at once more appealing than the intimidating story of war. But, of course, the battles are an integral part of The Romance and focusing on them does not in any way dilute the power of the work. It, in fact, offers an accessible and stirring glimpse into the dramatic lives of feudal lords who held sway in China in an era sheathed in myth, magic, and deadly power struggles. It is undeniably a fascinating epic.
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