Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Vol. 1
by Luo Guanzhong
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 191)
recommends it for:
those who loves reading fiction base on nonfictional settings
In my opinion, to really enjoy this book, you need to know some personality about the main characters in it. For those who played the game (like myself), you will definitely get a feeling of the potential for each person in this novel and the choices they make (e.g. Liu Bei's decision to refuse to take over dying Liu Biao's throne because he got high charisma issues or Lu Bu's unstable loyalty and patience that proves his lack of intelligence)
Nonetheless, if you don't have a clue of any of t...more
Nonetheless, if you don't have a clue of any of t...more
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Read in October, 2005
Oh my god, this is THE best historical novel EVAR. Don't be deceive by the title of the novel, this is not a story about some romance and love crap, it is a story about epic battles between the three kingdoms of ancient China. Those battles are so epic to the point that it is like those three kingdom are performing a beautiful show with each other which probably explain somewhat about the title "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". One example battle was the famous Chi Bi battle (otherwise ...more
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This is an action packed book filled with twists, turns, betrayal, and battle at every turn. Although this is a very long, complicated, and somewhat of a difficult read, it was thoroughly enjoyable. As long as you have a keen understanding of things, and can follow many different ploit lines this book should be no problem. I would definitely recommend this.
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
Lovers of martial arts, China, or video games about China
The version I read is the Brewitt translation from 1920, which is better than the classical Chinese in that it purports to be English.
However, there's a lot of too-literally translated terminology for arms and armor, and basically untranslated and unfootnoted terms for Chinese ranks of nobility, making reading this book a tough slog.
Book 1 is the book if you want to read about the Three Brothers, who are supposedly the main characters of the Romance, although they are all dead by the m...more
However, there's a lot of too-literally translated terminology for arms and armor, and basically untranslated and unfootnoted terms for Chinese ranks of nobility, making reading this book a tough slog.
Book 1 is the book if you want to read about the Three Brothers, who are supposedly the main characters of the Romance, although they are all dead by the m...more
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This is a Chinese literature classic. Learn about the wise Liu Pei and the battle for the Three Kingdoms in post-Han China.
It's a samurai style epic in Chinese form.
It's a samurai style epic in Chinese form.
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Read in June, 1997
This is one book I will try to revisit once a year, excerpts of the important parts if not cover to cover.
The less-patient reader may prefer to start from Liu Bei's visits to enlist Zhuge Liang help to the part where the latter passes on.
The later parts on Deng Ai and his son, as well as Zhuge Liang's descendant, are recommended as well.
Those averse to tragic plot twists may prefer to stop right after Lu Xun plots Guan Yu's downfall. Epics rarely get as tragic as this.
No matter ...more
The less-patient reader may prefer to start from Liu Bei's visits to enlist Zhuge Liang help to the part where the latter passes on.
The later parts on Deng Ai and his son, as well as Zhuge Liang's descendant, are recommended as well.
Those averse to tragic plot twists may prefer to stop right after Lu Xun plots Guan Yu's downfall. Epics rarely get as tragic as this.
No matter ...more
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i read the RTK a long time ago, and i love it alot, watched the movies and played the game. i still remember the story, about the three kingdom in china ruled by cao-cao, liu bei, and sun quan, and the path that the three great rulers have to choose. the three kingdom was a grand-design created by zhuge liang, liu bei's advisor.
this romance tell a story about how they are started from almost nothing till become a player in china history. intrique, strategies, betrayals, loyalty, friendship,...more
this romance tell a story about how they are started from almost nothing till become a player in china history. intrique, strategies, betrayals, loyalty, friendship,...more
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I believe that everyone who can finish this book can at least analyse surrounding people more easily 'cos this book gives us not only enjoyment and great illusion of historian Chinese worriors but also knowledge and some skill to read people's mind from their action. No matter how each character's actions are analysed or interpreted, they are all benefits for readers. So, I think the more we can read it, the better for ourselves. (Don't be afraid if you can read it more than three times!)
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Read in December, 2007
recommended to Jessica by:
My dad
I don't have a review for the English version of the book, I read the chinese version. Highly recommended. The stories in the book are integral to the chinese culture. It was an amazing period of time where courage, loyalty, and dedication were highly emphasized and displayed. It was a tumultuous period where many unprecedented talents were born and made. While reading this book, it was interesting to realize how turbulent times can bring out the best or the worst in people.
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Read in February, 2007
recommends it for:
As first book
Book 2 is not as good as Book 1. Same translation problem, but as the principals of Book 1 die off, you start to wonder, "other than Chuko Liang, who kicks much ass, why do I care about these people?"
By the last chapter, you think, "everyone who I cared about is dead; do we really need to wrap up the whole war?"
However, there are 600-some pages of Book 2, so most of it provides the same besieging, beheading goodness as Book 1.
By the last chapter, you think, "everyone who I cared about is dead; do we really need to wrap up the whole war?"
However, there are 600-some pages of Book 2, so most of it provides the same besieging, beheading goodness as Book 1.
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Read in January, 2002
not just a great war and strategy story but it contains many stories about human characters of when there is no real friend nor enemy in political world. politic has no boundaries, only interest. at the end the aim is to become the most powerfull person.
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Read in January, 2003
A great epic of chinese classic
A war of Shu, Wu and Wei kingdom, in order to gain full control of china in the early of 1st and 2nd century
Unrivalled leadership, strategy, and intrigue of war
A war of Shu, Wu and Wei kingdom, in order to gain full control of china in the early of 1st and 2nd century
Unrivalled leadership, strategy, and intrigue of war
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