The Return of the Condor Heroes (traditional Chinese: 神鵰俠侶; simplified Chinese: 神雕侠侣; pinyin: Shén Diāo Xiá Lǚ; Jyutping: San4 Diu1 Haap6 Leoi5) is a classic Wuxia novel by Louis Cha, who is better known as Jin Yong. It was first published on May 20, 1959 in the first issue of Ming Pao and ran for about three years. This is the second novel of the Condor Trilogy. The story revolves around Yang Guo and his lover Xiaolongnü in their adventure in an unfamiliar world that does not approve of their taboo love between master and apprentice.
Alternate English titles are The Giant Eagle and Its Companion and Divine Eagle, Chivalric Companion. The Legend of Condor Hero: The Complete Saga as released on amazon is actually a misrelease of Return of the Condor Heroes (anime).[1]
Chapters
Jin Yong revised the novel in 1970 and again in 2004. There are 40 chapters in the 2nd and 3rd revisions of the novel. Each chapter has a 4-character title. Most of the revisions are either clarifications or minor alterations of character motivations.
Plot
The protagonist Yang Guo (楊過), who was the son of the antagonist Yang Kang (楊康) from prequel novel, was raised briefly by the couple Guo Jing (郭靖) and Huang Rong (黃蓉) before he was sent to the Quanzhen Sect (全真教) for better guidance in moral values and 'orthodox' martial arts. At Quanzhen, Yang was often picked on and bullied by his fellow students and even his teacher Zhao Zhijing (趙志敬) was biased and against him. Yang Guo fled and ventured unknowingly into the nearby Tomb of the Living Dead (活死人墓) where the Ancient Tomb Sect (古墓派) was housed. He was saved by Xiaolongnü (小龍女), a mysterious maiden of unknown origin, and became her disciple. They lived together in the Ancient Tomb for many years until Yang came to of age. By then, Yang Guo saw Xiaolongnü more than merely his highly-respected teacher, as he had gradually developed feelings for her.
However, their love was forbidden by ancient Chinese societal laws and they were forced to give up their love or become outcasts of society. Throughout the story, their love was met with several tests and tribulations, such as the misunderstandings which tore them apart and the encounter with Gongsun Zhi (公孫止) in the Passionless Valley (絕情谷). Finally, after their reunion and marriage, Xiaolongnü left Yang Guo again and promised to meet him again sixteen years later. While Yang Guo was wandering the land alone, he met several accomplished martial artists and the Giant Condor (大雕). His adventures gradually moulded him into a courageous young martial artist whose prowess matched the Greats of his age. Yang Guo served his nation time and time again by helping the Song Chinese defeat the Mongolian invaders. At the end of the novel, he was finally reunited with his lover Xiaolongnü and they were truly recognized as heroes of their age.
Characters
The main characters are Yang Guo (楊過) and Xiaolongnü (小龍女). Yang Guo is the orphaned son of Yang Kang (楊康) and Mu Nianci (穆念慈), both of whom are characters from the prequel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. He never knew his father and could barely remember his mother. But their legacy, especially his father's, made him an outcast in the Jianghu (world of martial arts). Xiaolongnü is a mysterious girl of unknown origin and her history is slowly revealed in the plot.
Protagonists
Antagonists
Adaptations
This novel is one of the best known among Jinyong's works. Many adaptations have been made and produced on the Condor Trilogy.
Films
TV series
Comics
- Asiapac Publishing acquired the rights to produce an illustrated version of The Return of the Condor Heroes in 1995. Artist Wee Tian Beng, with the approval of author Jinyong, produced an 18 volume series chronicling the adventures of Yang Guo. The lavishly illustrated series, which was translated by Jean Lim, won the Prestigious Award in 1997 during the Asian Comics Conference held in Korea. There are also cute gag strips that poke gentle fun at some of the story's events.
- In 2002, Comics One published the first official English translation of "Legendary Couple" which is a retelling of Return of Condor Heroes. Louis Cha is credited as the writer with Tony Wong handling the illustration duties.
Video games
- Soft-World released a RPG based on the novel for DOS. The game is only available in Chinese language and cover the first half of the novel until Yang Guo met the divine eagle.
- New Shen Diao Xia Lü (2000) for Windows
- New Shen Diao Xia Lü 2 (2003) for Windows
- ISGame.com created this interactive version of the novel. Chinese Language only.
- ISGame.com followed up the success of the first game with this sequel. Again, it's Chinese Language only.
See also
References
- ^ It is a 26 episode version beginning with an orphaned boy, and ending rather sadly with the Heartless Valley section. Legend of Condor Hero, the novel, has at least 52 episodes and involves Yang Guo's parents.
External links
