Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (Complete 5 Volumes)

Author: Jin Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-08-01
Features: Among Jin Yong's novels, my favorites are The Deer and the Cauldron and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, which are considered twin pillars. I once jokingly told a friend that if The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer are masterpieces, then The Deer and the Cauldron and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils should be called "ultimate masterpieces," or masterpieces among masterpieces. If I had to rank Jin Yong's novels, I'm not sure about the others, but The Deer and the Cauldron first, and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils second, that's certain in my opinion. Although The Deer and the Cauldron surpasses other works in cultural and artistic value, it would be more accurate to call it an "anti-kung fu novel" rather than a kung fu novel. Even Jin Yong himself believed it was closer to a historical novel. Therefore, if we talk about "true" kung fu novels, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils should undoubtedly take the lead. Of course, this is just my personal opinion, and it may be influenced by subjective bias. No matter how you look at it, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is not only highly worth reading but also needs to be read repeatedly, even studied in depth multiple times. If you read it casually, it's still possible to understand it, but whether you truly "get" it is another matter. True artistic masterpieces are not necessarily appreciated by both the refined and the masses or possess profound depth, but after all, the methods of appreciation differ, as do the rewards. Naturally, the depth of understanding will also vary.