Shi Naian, translated by J M Jackson

The Water Margin

by Shi Naian, translated by J M Jackson

It’s a story of bandits – in a way it’s like a Chinese equivalent of Robin Hood, based upon some historical facts. There was a bandit called Song Jiang who rebelled against the Song dynasty in the early 12th century. The novel takes the story of this bandit and his companions, and puts them into a kind of epic tale of rebellion against tyranny, which has been thrilling and inspiring Chinese readers for centuries. It’s very vivid, and it shows the reactions of ordinary Chinese people: how they have a sense of justice, generosity, and humanity.

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