Strength

Huanzhulouzhu (Li Shoumin)Feb 2017

4.0

Word count: 382K words
Chapters: 41

Summary

A martial arts novel. The first volume was published by Shanghai Zhengqi Book Company in June 1949; by June 1950, the eighth volume was published. Complete.

Editor's review

"Force" is a martial arts novel that Huanzhulouzhu published in eight volumes through Shanghai Zhengqi Book Company from June 1949 to June 1950. The work is complete, which is relatively rare among his later works. Compared with his early massive works that often ran to millions of words, this book is more concentrated in length, its plot can be brought to a close, and readers need not worry about interruption midway. The book still shows Huanzhulouzhu's skill in the interplay of the orthodox and the unconventional and in sword-fighting duels, while the special period of its creation leaves a later-style imprint on the pacing and handling of characters. For readers who want to understand how Huanzhulouzhu adjusted his writing amid changing times, this complete work is a better sample for observation than his unfinished fragments. While reading, one may note the differences in structural compactness between it and his early representative works, and appreciate how old-school martial arts fiction adapted to a new environment.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Martial arts readers who want to read a complete work by Huanzhulouzhu
Enthusiasts interested in the evolution of later old-school martial arts style
Readers who enjoy themes of sword-fighting duels and sect feuds

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer fast-paced modern narrative and are uncomfortable with old-school prose
People who focus only on Huanzhulouzhu's most famous representative works and have no intention of expanding their reading
Researchers who need extensive scholarly annotations and textual-bibliographic support

Reading tips

Read through the whole book first to grasp the overall structure, then return to key duel passages for close reading.
Compare it with Huanzhulouzhu's early works and note changes in later narrative pacing.
If the style feels remote, read a few chapters first to get used to the language; there is no need to rush.

版权信息
第一回狂风暴雨中力的奋斗
第二回原来当官的都是这样材料
第三回风雨之后
第四回暴威下的抗力
第五回号哭之声惨不忍闻
第六回夜半飞刀
第七回蒙面人
第八回穿越森林
第九回桃源庄
第一十回独斗群狼
第一一回忍辱
第一二回暗林中的警告
第一三回最难测是女人心
第一四回两心如一
第一五回坠欢难拾枉断肠
第一六回半夜里的飞刀
第一七回飞骑救人
第一八回森林中的千里驹
第一九回所期不至伤如之何
第二十回留得芳颜与谁看
第二一回人无弃力地无弃利
第二二回南山秘境
第二三回死谷中的笑声
第二四回暗林中的猩人
第二五回大侠七星子的真面目
第二六回山洪
第二七回猩人死后的猛威
第二八回瓮中之鳖
第二九回如此良宵何来佳丽
第三十回苍松驰道远明月异香浮
第三一回危楼囚弱凤恶水跃龙驹
第三二回藤舟救美
第三三回所谓伊人在水一方
第三四回深情谁与诉苦绪托微波
第三五回火箭飞刀
第三六回 “力”的伟大
第三七回夹墙中的刺客
第三八回灵猿建奇功
第三九回破镜难圆惟留余爱
第四十回绝代容光原祸水愿同努力报深情

FAQ

Is "Force" a complete publication?

Yes. According to records, the book's first volume was published by Shanghai Zhengqi Book Company in June 1949, and by June 1950 the eighth volume was published; the whole book is complete. This differs from many of Huanzhulouzhu's unfinished works, so readers need not worry that the story will break off.

How does it differ from Huanzhulouzhu's representative works?

The book was written between 1949 and 1950 and belongs to his later period; it is relatively concentrated in length and its plot can be brought to a close. Compared with the early massive works, it is more compact in structure and bears the stylistic imprint of a period of historical transition, making it a suitable sample for observing changes in his style.

Do I need to know Huanzhulouzhu first to read this book?

Not necessarily, but some familiarity will make the reading more rewarding. If you are familiar with his system of sword immortals and common conventions, it is easier to appreciate the adjustments in structure and pacing here; if this is your first encounter, you can also read it as a complete old-school martial arts novel.

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About the author

Huanzhulouzhu (Li Shoumin) Author · Chinese · 1902–1961

Huanzhulouzhu, originally named Li Shanji and later renamed Li Shoumin, was a native of Changshou, Sichuan (now part of Chongqing). Living from 1902 to 1961, he was a master of Republican-era wuxia fiction. He rose to fame in 1932 with The Legend of the Shu Mountain Swordsmen, a series he continued for years; the library holds more than four hundred related works. His novels blend sword immortals, strange tales, and Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist thought into a singular vision, marked by bold imagination and vast scope. As one of the Five Masters of the Northern School, he wrote over forty million characters in his lifetime and left a profound mark on the history of wuxia fiction. Public information about his life is limited, and many biographical details remain uncertain; readers may best approach him through his works and their distinctive narrative style and fantastical worlds.