The Deer and the Cauldron

[opengoal]

My translation lecturer on Monday mentioned Louis Cha (金庸)'s martial arts novel The Deer and the Cauldron (鹿鼎記) has been translated into English. (For people unfamiliar with martial arts fiction, Louis is the most celebrated AND the most popular writer in this genre and his works have been adapted into countless TV series and films). The translator John Minford said that translating it was even more difficult than translating the classics. I can totally see what he means.

I'm really curious how he solved all those seemingly impossible problems. So I went to the library today and borrowed the first volume. I haven't started reading it yet but I'm already bowled over by the extra bits the book has! It has a rather detailed map, a timeline of important historical event, a glossary of people and places, and a glossary of general terms. God, I really need to buy this book if only for reference in translating/writing about martial arts fiction.