Outlaws of the Marsh (selected)/Classic Masterpiece Common Library

by Shi Nai'an

It is a long historical novel throught hundred years preparation and accumulation in Song and Yun dynasties. It assembles the moving stories of life and death of Shuibo Liangshan heros, gets together of numerous Chinese visions, feelings and wisdoms. The spirit of ""Faith to King, Serve the Country"" under a special historical environment of "" only against corruptive officials rather than kings"" and the spirit of heroism with strong populist go through the whole novel. Outlaws of the Marsh, themed on farmers war, creates Liangshan heros, such as Li Kui, Wu Song, Lin Chong and Lu Zhisheng, and reveals the social contradictions at that time.This book has a high art achievement with intricating stories, vivid language, and distinctive characters.

893 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2004

About the author

Shi Nai'an (Chinese: 施耐庵; pinyin: Shī Nài'ān, ca. 1296–1372), was a Chinese writer from Suzhou. He was attributed as the first compiler of the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
Library of Congress Authorities: Shi, Nai’an, approximately 1290-approximately 1365

Not much biographical information is known about him. Traditionally it was believed that he was a teacher of Luo Guanzhong, who was attributed as a main compiler of Romance of Three Kingdoms, another of the Four Great Classical Novels. Some modern scholars doubt that Shi actually existed, but was merely a pseudonym for Luo himself.