Synopsis by goodreads.com
Also known as Duke of Mount Deer, this is the first of a three-volume picaresque historical romance by China's best-loved author. It tells the story of Trinket, an irreverent and comic anti-hero, and his adventures through China over more than twenty years at the beginning of the Qing dynasty.
The story spans vast territories, from desert islands to northern ice fields, from Peking and the Imperial Court to the sacred mountain of Wu-tai-shan to the legendary Shaolin Temple to the boudoir of Princess Sophia. Rich in plot and historical detail, the book is peopled by a multitude of characters, including members of the Brotherhood of River and Lake, song girls, gamblers, beggars, itinerant (and often fighting) monks, Taoists, Cossacks, Jesuits, herbalists, dissident literati, corrupt magistrates, Manchu princes, Ming loyalists, and the one-armed Princess with the deadly 'flicking' style of kung fu.
Anyone with a taste for popular culture or modern China will find The Deer and the Cauldron a fascinating read
My Comments :
I have watch the drama series that was based on this book when I was just a child. I remember I love it very much. Oh the lovable "Whiskers" and also the Xiao Bao(Trinkets).
It has been an unbelievable experience to read this book. Thank you very much to the person who took the time to translate it into English.
What I like about this book ....well... everything. Love the Kungfu and the politics. There are certain parts that is better expressed in the drama . However, certain parts also better in the book form. Leave it to readers' imagination.
What I dislike? Not to say dislike but rather there is something lost when it's translated in English. At times, I find it hard to grasp what is it about. For someone like me who have a bit of knowledge on how the story goes, it was okay. But I suspect for those who have nil knowledge on Kungfu flicks and stuff like that will have a hard time understanding.
Overall, am giving it 4 stars out of 5. Am now looking forward to reading Vol 2 of the said story.
