Paper Swordsmen : Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel

The martial arts novel is one of the most distinctive and widely-read forms of modern Chinese fiction. In Paper Swordsmen, John Christopher Hamm offers the first in-depth English-language study of this fascinating and influential genre, focusing on the work of its undisputed twentieth-century master, Jin Yong. Through close readings of Jin Yong's recognized masterpieces, Hamm shows how these works combine a rich literary tradition with an extraordinary narrative artistry and an evolving appreciation of the political and cultural aspects of contemporary Chinese experience. The Martial Arts Novel Is One Of The Most Distinctive And Widely Read Forms Of Modern Chinese Fiction. It Is Popular Not Only Within Chinese-language Communities But In Translation Throughout East Asia And In Cinematic And Other Adaptations Throughout The World. In Paper Swordsmen, John Christopher Hamm Offers The First In-depth English-language Study Of This Influential Genre, Focusing On The Work Of Its Undisputed Twentieth-century Master, Jin Yong. Paper Swordsmen Will Be Welcomed By Students Of Chinese Literature, Cultural Studies, History, Political Science, Anthropology, And Comparative Literature - As Well As Fans Of Martial Arts Fiction With An Interest In The Wider Implications Of The Jin Yong Phenomenon.--book Jacket. The Literary And Historical Contexts Of New School Martial Arts Fiction -- Local Heroes: Guangdong School Martial Arts Fiction And The Colony Of Hong Kong -- The Marshes Of Mount Liang Beyond The Sea: Jin Yong's Early Fiction And Postwar Hong Kong -- National Passions: From The Eagle-shooting Heroes To The Giant Eagle And Its Companion -- The Empire Of Text: Jin Yong And Ming Pao -- Beyond The Rivers And Lakes: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer -- Revision And Canonization: From Ming Pao To The Collected Works Of Jin Yong -- Beyond Martial Arts Fiction: The Deer And The Cauldron -- Coming Home: Jing Yong's Fiction In Mainland China -- Jin Yong At The Century's End: The Wang Shuo Incident And Its Implications. John Christopher Hamm. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 311-339) And Index. Contents 6 Preface and Acknowledgments 8 A Note on Conventions 12 Chapter 1 Introduction: The Literary and Historical Contexts of New School Martial Arts Fiction 14 Chapter 2 Local Heroes: Guangdong School Martial Arts Fiction and the Colony of Hong Kong 45 Chapter 3 The Marshes of Mount Liang Beyond the Sea: Jin Yong鈥檚 Early Fiction and Postwar Hong Kong 62 Chapter 4 National Passions: From The Eagle-Shooting Heroes to The Giant Eagle and Its Companion 92 Chapter 5 The Empire of the Text: Jin Yong and Ming Pao 127 Chapter 6 Beyond the Rivers and Lakes: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer 150 Chapter 7 Revision and Canonization: From Ming Pao to The Collected Works of Jin Yong 181 Chapter 8 Beyond Martial Arts Fiction: The Deer and the Cauldron 211 Chapter 9 Coming Home: Jin Yong鈥檚 Fiction in Mainland China 240 Chapter 10 Jin Yong at the Century鈥檚 End: The Wang Shuo Incident and Its Implications 263 Notes 274 Select Glossary of Chinese Characters 314 Bibliography 324 Index 354 Contents Preface and Acknowledgments A Note on Conventions Chapter 1 Introduction: The Literary and Historical Contexts of New School Martial Arts Fiction Chapter 2 Local Heroes: Guangdong School Martial Arts Fiction and the Colony of Hong Kong Chapter 3 The Marshes of Mount Liang Beyond the Sea: Jin Yong’s Early Fiction and Postwar Hong Kong Chapter 4 National Passions: From The Eagle-Shooting Heroes to The Giant Eagle and Its Companion Chapter 5 The Empire of the Text: Jin Yong and Ming Pao Chapter 6 Beyond the Rivers and Lakes: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer Chapter 7 Revision and Canonization: From Ming Pao to The Collected Works of Jin Yong Chapter 8 Beyond Martial Arts Fiction: The Deer and the Cauldron Chapter 9 Coming Home: Jin Yong’s Fiction in Mainland China Chapter 10 Jin Yong at the Century’s End: The Wang Shuo Incident and Its Implications Notes Select Glossary of Chinese Characters Bibliography Index The martial arts novel is one of the most distinctive and widely read forms of modern Chinese fiction. It is popular not only within Chinese-language communities but in translation throughout East Asia and in cinematic and other adaptations throughout the world. In Paper Swordsmen , John Christopher Hamm offers the first in-depth English-language study of this fascinating and influential genre, focusing on the work of its undisputed twentieth-century master, Jin Yong.