Author: Luo Guanzhong (c 1315-1400)
Written: not known
Translator: Moss Roberts
Publisher: Foreign Language Press (2009 edition)
Bought from: Book Depository
Introduction
Three Kingdoms, together with Water Margin, Journey to the West and Dreams of the Red Chamber, are considered the four great classical novels of Chinese literature.
Three Kingdoms (sometimes called Romance of the Three Kingdoms) is set in a tumultuous period at the end of the Han Dynasty. The Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) had been the golden age of Chinese history. Today, the major ethic group in China sometimes refer to themselves as Han people and Chinese characters are known as Han characters.
As the Han Dynasty drew to an end, however, it was wracked by unrest, including the Yellow Turban Rebellion that broke out in 184 AD. For some commentators, this marked the start of the period that came to be known as the Three Kingdoms period. From 184 – 220 multiple warlords (in ever shifting alliances) vied to fill the vacuum caused by the collapsing Han Dynasty. From 220 – 263, power began to coalesce in the three states of Wei, Shu and Wu. The kings of each state declared himself Emperor, starting with Cao Pi, king of the state of Wei in 220. This marked the formal end of the Han Dynasty. From 263 – 280, the three states fell one after another to be replaced ultimately by the new Jin Dynasty. Shu fell to Wei in 263 and Wei in turn fell to the Jin Dynasty in 265. Jin defeated Wu and reunited China in 280.
Who first reduced the mythology of the Three Kingdom period into written form, and when, are the subject of much debate. The novel is traditionally attributed to Luo Guanzhong (c 1315 – 1400). However, the oldest complete printed version, titled Sanguozhi Tongsu Yanyi, was published only in 1522.
In the 1660s, during the Qing Dynasty, Mao Lun and his son Mao Zonggang revised the text of the 1522 version and added his commentary. They reduced the text from 900,000 to 750,000 characters, fitting the story into 120 chapters and abbreviating the title to Sanguozhi Yanyi. This is the standard version most commonly read and translated today.
While the story is a mix of fact and fiction, it reads like a historical account. There is little supernatural, romantic or other diversions from the narrative.
What is about?
“The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.” With this, begins the epic of the power struggle between the three kingdom-states, Shu, Wei and Wu, that competed for power in the vacuum caused by the collapse of the Han Dynasty.
The protagonists are Liu Bei (founder of Shu), his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and his strategist Zhuge Liang. Another legendary warrior on Liu Bei’s side is Zhao Zilong. Liu Bei is portrayed as a kind and righteous leader. Without a stronghold, he stumbles from province to province, winning and losing territories all his life. He has one undoubted ability - the ability to rally valiant and noble men to his cause.
Then there is Cao Cao, founder of Wei and one of the most interesting characters in the story. Although clearly the villain of the piece, Cao Cao is also an accomplished poet, a courageous warrior and wily strategist. He envies Liu Bei’s ability to persuade heroes to fight for him. He tries unsuccessfully to secure Guan Yu’s loyalty.
Other major figures are Sun Quan and Zhou Yu from the Wu kingdom.
Finally, look out for the various members of the Sima family. This family is to play a major role in ending the period of the Three Kingdoms.
Diaochan (one of the “Four Beauties” of ancient China) has a small but important role early on in the story. She uses her feminine wiles to cause dissension between the usurper Dong Zhuo and his formidable general Lu Bu.
Coming in at 2,339 pages over 4 volumes, this is not something to be rushed through. The main difficulty is keeping track of the literally hundreds of characters. There is no other way but to focus on the main characters and just follow the main thread of the story. Thankfully, the story develops briskly and there are no long dull moments.
As the Han Dynasty drew to an end, however, it was wracked by unrest, including the Yellow Turban Rebellion that broke out in 184 AD. For some commentators, this marked the start of the period that came to be known as the Three Kingdoms period. From 184 – 220 multiple warlords (in ever shifting alliances) vied to fill the vacuum caused by the collapsing Han Dynasty. From 220 – 263, power began to coalesce in the three states of Wei, Shu and Wu. The kings of each state declared himself Emperor, starting with Cao Pi, king of the state of Wei in 220. This marked the formal end of the Han Dynasty. From 263 – 280, the three states fell one after another to be replaced ultimately by the new Jin Dynasty. Shu fell to Wei in 263 and Wei in turn fell to the Jin Dynasty in 265. Jin defeated Wu and reunited China in 280.
Who first reduced the mythology of the Three Kingdom period into written form, and when, are the subject of much debate. The novel is traditionally attributed to Luo Guanzhong (c 1315 – 1400). However, the oldest complete printed version, titled Sanguozhi Tongsu Yanyi, was published only in 1522.
In the 1660s, during the Qing Dynasty, Mao Lun and his son Mao Zonggang revised the text of the 1522 version and added his commentary. They reduced the text from 900,000 to 750,000 characters, fitting the story into 120 chapters and abbreviating the title to Sanguozhi Yanyi. This is the standard version most commonly read and translated today.
While the story is a mix of fact and fiction, it reads like a historical account. There is little supernatural, romantic or other diversions from the narrative.
What is about?
“The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.” With this, begins the epic of the power struggle between the three kingdom-states, Shu, Wei and Wu, that competed for power in the vacuum caused by the collapse of the Han Dynasty.
The protagonists are Liu Bei (founder of Shu), his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and his strategist Zhuge Liang. Another legendary warrior on Liu Bei’s side is Zhao Zilong. Liu Bei is portrayed as a kind and righteous leader. Without a stronghold, he stumbles from province to province, winning and losing territories all his life. He has one undoubted ability - the ability to rally valiant and noble men to his cause.
Then there is Cao Cao, founder of Wei and one of the most interesting characters in the story. Although clearly the villain of the piece, Cao Cao is also an accomplished poet, a courageous warrior and wily strategist. He envies Liu Bei’s ability to persuade heroes to fight for him. He tries unsuccessfully to secure Guan Yu’s loyalty.
Other major figures are Sun Quan and Zhou Yu from the Wu kingdom.
Finally, look out for the various members of the Sima family. This family is to play a major role in ending the period of the Three Kingdoms.
Diaochan (one of the “Four Beauties” of ancient China) has a small but important role early on in the story. She uses her feminine wiles to cause dissension between the usurper Dong Zhuo and his formidable general Lu Bu.
Coming in at 2,339 pages over 4 volumes, this is not something to be rushed through. The main difficulty is keeping track of the literally hundreds of characters. There is no other way but to focus on the main characters and just follow the main thread of the story. Thankfully, the story develops briskly and there are no long dull moments.
Themes
The main theme explored in this epic is loyalty - whether it be to the Emperor or to comrades. The classic example of loyalty is the famous oath sworn by Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at the Peach Garden. They remain true to each other throughout their lives. Arguably, the story could have ended differently if Zhang Fei and Liu Bei were not so obsessed with avenging Guan Yu’s death.
What about the book?
This is a translation of the version edited by the Maos. The four volumes come in a simple and not especially sturdy box. The publishers could have done with better proof readers or even a spell check utility. The presence of spelling errors is annoying but does not detract too much from the overall reading pleasure. The paper quality is extremely poor - so thin you could see the words from the other side of a page. There are a number of illustrations (not very good quality, no description) and maps (barely adequate).
The Afterword is worth reading.
Finally ...
The story is highly recommended. This is my favourite of the three classical Chinese novels that I've read. Until there is a better version, the Moss Roberts translation will have to do.
Et cetera
Also recommended is a cartoon adaptation jointly produced by Beijing Glorious Animation, CCTV Animation and Future Plant. Only complaint - no English subtitles.
Finally ...
The story is highly recommended. This is my favourite of the three classical Chinese novels that I've read. Until there is a better version, the Moss Roberts translation will have to do.
Et cetera
Also recommended is a cartoon adaptation jointly produced by Beijing Glorious Animation, CCTV Animation and Future Plant. Only complaint - no English subtitles.
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