A bestseller in China, A Hero Born (first published in the 1950s) received its first English translation in 2018. Capturing all the spectacular action, humour and scope of the original novel, this is the perfect introduction to the work of Jin Yong, China’s most celebrated popular writer.
Jin Yong’s story takes place in 1200 AD, when China is a land divided. The Song empire has been driven south by the fierce Jurchen peoples, and corrupt officials scramble to save themselves whilst ordinary people struggle to survive. Yet in the far north, under the eye of Genghis Khan, a young hero is rising whose destiny it is to change history. Trained in kung fu by the Seven Heroes themselves, Guo Jing will face betrayals, mythical villains and an enemy as cunning as he is ruthless. Filled with breathless action from the first page and populated with unforgettable characters, A Hero Born is the first step in a page-turner of a journey for millions of readers worldwide.
Jin Yong is the pen name of Louis Cha, one of China’s most celebrated writers. He was best known for his work in the wuxia genre, the adventures of martial artists in ancient China that draw from real histories and philosophies, as well as timeless themes like good versus evil.
Ye Luying’s artwork is lush and kinetic. The Folio Society edition features a spectacular foil-blocked illustrated binding and a striking slipcase as well as seven colour illustrations, two of which are double-page spreads. The award-winning fantasy writer Ken Liu has written a fascinating and detailed introduction examining Jin Yong’s remarkable life, and the unique variety of treasures to be discovered within the Legends of the Condor Heroes.
In the introduction for The Folio Society edition, Ken Liu writes: “Dear reader, you are about to enter an enchanting world unlike anywhere you’ve ever been, and to be introduced to heroes and villains that will stay with you for a lifetime, long after you’ve turned the last page.”
The Folio Society edition of Jin Yong’s A Hero Born, introduced by Ken Liu and illustrated by Ye Luying is available exclusively from The Folio Society.
