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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fabulous Read, October 10, 2002
I think that all Westerners should be exposed to this classic of the East. Without a doubt, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is one of the very best works of literary art that the human mind had ever produced.
A short synopsis is in order. The novel centers around a rather short, turbulent time in ancient China, following the collapse of the Han Dynasty and predating the rise of the Jin dynasty, the period known as the "Three Kingdoms". In order to rise up against the now-corrupt Han dynasty, the mystic Zhang Jiao began what is known as the "Yellow Turban rebellion". In response to this menace, heroes of China gathered in order to put down this threat. Among these heroes are the virtuous Liu Bei, the loyal and familial Sun Jian, and the cruel and wily (but talented) Cao Cao. After the Yellow Turban rebellion is put down, it is realized that the Han dynasty has grown horribly weak and corrupt, and the heroes leave for home with their own ambitions of ruling China. Liu Bei wishes for the old days (he is a distant relative of the Han line), Cao Cao wishes for personal glory and honor, and Sun Jian wishes to rule China in order to leave it to his sons. Many other players enter the drama (hundreds in fact!), but the story really revolves around these three and their spheres of influence.
The author, Luo Guan Zhong, wrote a book that is at once of strategy, history, psychology, warfare. Although battles are always present, even those readers not interested in warfare can find a great deal in this book. Inevitably, the reader will find himself siding with one of the great Kingdoms of Wei, Wu or Shu, and yet will still feel compelled to feel compassion, elation and sorrow for the others, as their fortunes rise and fall with the changing fates. Each time I read the book (six and counting!), I pull for Liu Bei, who brings himself from commoner status to the highest positions in the land despite his tragic flaw of being TOO virtuous! And yet, I cannot deny enjoying reading about Cao Cao, as he gains support and popularity until the battle of Chi Bi, at which point he falls and must rise again. Also, the ending is fabulous, and unexpected.
However, I must warn the first time reader of the complete deluge of names with which he will be accosted. To further complicate matters, different publishers of the book spell the names in different ways (e.g. Cao Cao=T'sao T'sao, Chuko Lee-ong=Zhuge Liang). I was aided in this struggle by the fact that I had played a game with these characters, so that I was familiar with some of them. The author revels in his knowledge of history, and expects the same of his readers, but the reader may feel completely overwhelmed. Just keep in mind the three main characters, and try to remember who follows whom, and you should do fine (however, it is frustrating when the character Xun Yu introduces the character Xun You, etc.).
"Empires wax and wane, states cleave asunder and coalesce". The first statement in the book is as true today as it was 2000 years ago. If you are a reader who prides himself on his knowledge of the classics, I can honestly say that your mental library is incomplete until you read this book. So, what are you waiting for?
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST BOOK FOR EVERY ONE IN THE WORLD, August 7, 1999
By A Customer
I'm a girl in Korea, who loves this book, The Romance of Three kingdom. I think this book can be regarded as the 'Odyssey of far east Asia.' It's really funny, exciting and instructive. Almost every far east Asian have ever read this book. And I too read this book five times. But it's not boring at all.I hope much more people in the world can have the pleasure reading this. I like Kung-ming and Chou-Yu best out of too many heros in the book. You'll be excited to see the wisdom fighting between them.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare book to find that incorporates vibrant legends., May 25, 1999
By A Customer
A great book to read. I do not recall another tome like this that has many elements masterfully blended that includes larger-than-life legendary characters, intricate and complicated plot that keeps you reading, and last but not least, descriptions of betrayal and strategy throughout the book. You will find yourself getting more and more engrossed with the storyline and the characters, and you will eventually come to favor one or some of the heroes. I myself favor the legendary line of Sun: Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and Sun Quan. I also have profound admiration for their young, wise, and crafty advisors: Chou Yu and Lu Xun. This is a book you will never forget.
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