The Romance of the Three Kingdoms (PENGUIN CLASSICS)

You will never read another book like it. Part myth, part historical document, all bonkers. Exemplifying the Chinese love of reinventing their own history, this book is a kind of compendium of tales and legends, historical accounts of battles and gruesome details of murders and massacres (kids included), almost all within the lifetimes of a handful of central characters who you will grow to love, hate or become fascinated by - or at least, if you believe the depictions found in this book. Don't be disappointed when you discover how loosely it is based on facts, with many of the most fantastic and emotive stories widely believed to be little more than folktales, and some characters invented entirely. Despite that, the overall narrative of the rise and fall of whole dynasties is real and most of the events and people featured really did exist - though who they truly were, we may never know. Also real is the impact the book has had on Chinese culture and the Chinese people for almost a millenium, making it a fascinating study of how a nation reflects and projects its own image, and reinvents its heroes and villains for future generations. In short, well worth reading. If you can't handle history books you might struggle with some of the drier sections, but if you like gruesome tales you have only to skip forward a few pages to the next beheading or slaughter of an entire household to quench your appetites. Conversely, if you haven't the stomach for blood and guts, well, best of luck, as this book doesn't pull its punches.

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a hugely important and famously influential piece of work, and so I don't want to write an actual review of the book here - I'm so those who order know what they're ordering. The product itself is truly excellent though, really up the typical high standard of these penguin classics. From the lovely front design to the lively and accessible translation, it is so far a joy to read. With a handy introduction, a useful map, and a timeline and cast of characters for reference (the many Chinese names can get confusing to Western readers, myself included), a lot of care and thought has gone into how best to bring this classic to a wider audience. I'm really enjoying the epic story so far (though don't expect a modern prose style - this is, after all, a 13th Century novel) so I have no hesitation in recommending this to anyone interested in Chinese history and culture.

It is good that it is a shortened version (one third of the original length). You did get the overall story but a lot of flavours are gone. So, you can’t fully immerse in the story.

A key text, and a must-read. This outlines some characters and storylines seen in later Chinese and Chinese-inspired dramas that helps explain and make sense of those legendary sharacters.

It is well translated and more concise than original version. Still quite difficult to read if you're not familiar with it already

One of the best books I've read. Took me a while to get through as it's so long. But I enjoyed every page. All those heroes and their individual stories, giving years of history in epic battles. An absolute amazing read.

It's a bit of work and I am not very sure about the translation at times but the story is awesome. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Oriental literature or stories with loads of action.if you have the time and patience this is well worth the effort.

Heavy going and rather repetitive - it can be hard to keep track of all the characters - but a classic, so can't really complain.

It's a decent edition, it has a good translation tho is not the FULL history. It isn't complete, just takes the key moments of the original: for that porpouse is good. Pra lusofonos: Boa tradução, não é a melhor. História meio resumida e a qualidade é a da Penguin, boa diagramação mas o material da capa é um lixo, não parece feito pra durar infelizmente.

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms," attributed to Luo Guanzhong, is a towering classic of Chinese literature that masterfully weaves historical fact with legend. Set during the turbulent era following the collapse of the Han Dynasty, it chronicles the power struggles among the Wei, Shu, and Wu kingdoms. The novel excels in its rich tapestry of characters. Heroes like Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhuge Liang are depicted with a depth that makes their virtues and flaws both grand and relatable. Conversely, the cunning and ruthless Cao Cao provides a compelling, multifaceted antagonist, making the reader question the nature of heroism and villainy. Luo's narrative is imbued with themes of loyalty, strategy, and the fleeting nature of power, echoing the complexities of human nature and governance. The intricate battle strategies and political maneuvers are not only thrilling but also educational, revealing ancient Chinese military and philosophical wisdom. The prose, while dense and occasionally meandering, is often poetic and profound, offering moments of introspection amidst the chaos of war. The episodic structure allows for varied pacing, with intense battles interspersed with reflective dialogues and poignant moments of camaraderie. However, modern readers might find the text's length and the multitude of characters daunting. Additionally, the translation quality can significantly affect accessibility and enjoyment, with some versions preserving the beauty of the original language better than others. Overall, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is a monumental work that captures the essence of a pivotal period in Chinese history. Its blend of history, myth, and moral complexity makes it a must-read for those interested in epic storytelling and the enduring lessons of the past.

Ce livre me tombe des mains, personnages et événements sans linéarité. Présenté comme une pierre d'angle de la littérature et de l'histoire de la Chine... très usurpé

Book was delivered torn. I was careful to cut open the package. The bubble wrap is intact so the tear could have already been there before item was rven packed.

Great book and came without a scratch