The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 44 January 25, 2010
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WARNING: IF JESUS WERE HERE, HE’D CUT YOU. 
Last chapter saw a whole lot of debate about whether or not the Southland should go to war against Cao Cao, and now, in Chapter 44, that war draws ever nearer. For Sun Quan has decided to leave the decision in the hands of his Foreign Policy advisor, (and Commander-in-Chief of his armies), Zhou Yu, and now all the officers, civil and military, in Wu know that it is Zhou Yu, rather than Sun Quan, that they must sway to their various conclusions. (more…)
The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 43 January 20, 2010
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WARNING: THE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’. (WELL, NOT REALLY…THEY NEVER REALLY DO. EVER. BUT SOMETIMES I GUESS IT’S NICE TO BE AN OPTIMIST LIKE BOB DYLAN…)
The true significance of Chapter 43 may be lost on some, I suppose. That is to say that in a novel where the martial valor of many of its heroes overshadows just about everything else, it might be a bit easier to overlook the importance of the parts where there’s not really any fighting going on. This, of course, would provide a one-sided experience to the story, unfortunately. What would the obstinacy of Achilles have meant if the reader had not previously read that he and Agamemnon had previously had a quarrel in the command tent about the captured Trojan maiden Briseis? Sometimes, it’s the battles fought behind the scenes, with words rather than swords, that take on true significance. This chapter’s commentary is about the art of the debate in Ancient China, its applications, and how the situation put forth in this chapter compares with the events of our own day. (more…)
The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 42 January 16, 2010
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WARNING, I PUT A LOT OF SOUND EFFECTS IN THIS ONE…
That’s right, I did. Chang Ban is, in my humble opinion, one of the most entertaining chapters in the entire novel, as it showcases the talents of not only Zhao Yun (Zilong) but Zhang Fei in their fullest glory. I have tried to use sound effects very sparingly in this audiobook, because I didn’t really want sensationalism to take away from the actual words. The words in which this story, any story is told are what are really important. However, I feel that in this case, sound effects help to add an epic quality to the great deeds being performed in Chapter 42. The result, as you will hear, is truly an audible treat. An audiobook chapter that listens like a radioplay. :p (more…)
The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 41 January 13, 2010
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The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 41 – Liu Bei Leads His People Over The River; Zhao Zilong Rescues The Child Lord At Dangyang.
WARNING! THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY, LIKE EVERY OTHER IN THIS ENTIRE AUDIOBOOK OF 120 CHAPTERS, CONTAINS SPOILERS. HOPE YOU DON’T MIND…
So when we last left off, the Cai Family had decided to surrender to Cao Cao. This, of course, has left Liu Bei pretty much surrounded by enemies, with only a vastly inferior force left to him. Liu Qi is at Jiangxia, but Cao Cao would long ago have swallowed up Liu Bei’s army by the time help from Jiangxia would arrive. And so, Liu Bei flees south at the behest of Zhuge Liang, and the people decide to go with him. I’m seeing some echoes of the biblical Exodus here… (more…)
The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 40 January 8, 2010
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The Sanguo Yanyi – Chapter 40 – Lady Cai Renounces Jingzhou; Zhuge Liang Burns Xinye.
WARNING! IT IS REALLY, REALLY F’N COLD OUTSIDE!
I suppose that doesn’t have much to do with ancient Chinese Literature, but it’s true nonetheless. Hope everyone’s staying inside where it’s (hopefully) warm. At any rate, this is Chapter 40, and guess what that means? I’m now officially 1/3 of the way done with this massive project that I’ve taken upon myself. Not much of an accomplishment, I know, but I’ll take what I can get! :p (more…)
