--- product_id: 61802070 title: "Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes)" price: "2100509₫" currency: VND in_stock: true reviews_count: 7 url: https://www.desertcart.vn/products/61802070-outlaws-of-the-marsh-chinese-classics-classic-novel-in-4 store_origin: VN region: Vietnam --- # Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes) **Price:** 2100509₫ **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes) - **How much does it cost?** 2100509₫ with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vn](https://www.desertcart.vn/products/61802070-outlaws-of-the-marsh-chinese-classics-classic-novel-in-4) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description desertcart.com: Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes): 9787119016627: Shinai An: Books Review: High-quality printing of a well-regarded translation. - Pictures: 1: Volumes two and three, still in shrink-wrap. 2: Volume one, with jacket removed (the damage to the lower corner was caused by me after purchase) 3: Volume one, open. I won't dwell much on the novel itself, as it's a classic. I will say, however, that this is the first Chinese novel I've read, and I thought at first it might be a slog, considering its age and extreme length. I was pleasantly surprised to find, however, that it is actually quite accessible and action-packed, even funny at times. While the novel is long, the chapters are quite short, making it easier to get through. As of Chapter 12, the flow is definitely weird compared to Western novels; rather than having a single focused plot, it's almost like a relay race, where you'll have a few chapters following character A, who then meets character B, then a few chapters following them, and so on, except that major characters do tend to show up again later. From what I've heard, these strands do eventually converge later on. There are also a lot of extraneous details that would be omitted in a more streamlined modern novel. The hardest thing, for many monolingual English readers, will be keeping up with the hundreds of Chinese names, which because of the nature Chinese phonetics (especially when stripped of tones), and the small number of Chinese surnames, can tend to sound alike. It just takes some getting used to. The translation is quite good, and not overly pedantic the way these things can be sometimes. I do feel it would benefit from a bit more in the way of cultural and linguistic footnotes, especially for those who aren't knowledgeable about Chinese culture, religion, etc. But if anything, despite the translator's warnings in the introduction about alien cultural practices, it's actually surprisingly universal and relatable, compared to some of the weirder parts of, say, the Bible. I was quite satisfied with the volume itself, and I definitely think it's worth spending the extra money to get this over the paperback version. The Foreign Languages Press is an official press of the Chinese government, so this is comparable to something like a Library of America edition. It's sturdy, attractive, and should last a long time. Review: Fabulous book! - Chalk up another victory for video games. Thanks to those electronic annoyances, I have found a wealth of knowledge of mythology and literature, in particular, Chinese literature. So parents, let your kids play! Let me explain. About ten years ago, I stumbled across a video game called the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A fascinating game, I was even more interested in this panoply of Chinese warlords vying for control of the great empire. Lo and behold, I come to find out that indeed this source for this game is an ancient Chinese classic. Fast forward. Having played the "Suikoden" games, I began to grow interested in this notion of the 108 stars of destiny. Again, I look, and I learn of another Chinese classic, the "Outlaws of the Marsh" (or Shui Hu Zhuan). Needless to say, I learned more about Chinese culture from two video games than from the Orientalist claptrap that was taught to us in high school and college. Oh, you don't play video games? Well, let's get down to the book! The "Outlaws" are a group of 108 which band together to fight in the name of the emperor and against government corruption during the Song dynasty. While certainly far from angelic, these people nonetheless fight for the Song dynasty as they are hunted as outlaws by the various nefarious factions of the corrupt Chinese empire. The book chronicles their tales. For example, we learn of Lin Chong, an arms expert whose wife is desired by the evil marshall Gao's lecherous son. Teaming with Lin's childhood friend and oath brother Lu, Gao and his soon manage to gain a death sentence for the righteous Lin. However, Lin escapes their plot and joins up with the other outlaws. Many such stories are chronicled in this fine work, which shares an author (Luo Guanzhong) with "Three Kingdoms". All in all, I loved this book, and place it highly among my favorite works. While not quite as engaging as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (which I consider the greatest piece of literature ever created), "Outlaws of the Marsh" certainly deserves a place on any educated person's shelf. Also, Shapiro's translation displays a grat deal of the ancient wit found in the classic, and the woodcut images provide an interesting look into Ming dynasty art. My only desire is that one of these days, our schools will have children read some of these tales, rather than the works of Pearl Buck (it seems reasonable to allow people their own impressions of ancient China rather than giving them the observations of another Westerner). ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #204,801 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #311 in Classic Action & Adventure (Books) #16,996 in Historical Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (181) | | Dimensions | 7.09 x 4.45 x 3.74 inches | | ISBN-10 | 7119016628 | | ISBN-13 | 978-7119016627 | | Item Weight | 3 pounds | | Language | English | | Print length | 2480 pages | | Publication date | February 1, 2023 | | Publisher | Foreign Languages Press | ## Images ![Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xGgKUFkAL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ High-quality printing of a well-regarded translation. *by L***A on February 2, 2022* Pictures: 1: Volumes two and three, still in shrink-wrap. 2: Volume one, with jacket removed (the damage to the lower corner was caused by me after purchase) 3: Volume one, open. I won't dwell much on the novel itself, as it's a classic. I will say, however, that this is the first Chinese novel I've read, and I thought at first it might be a slog, considering its age and extreme length. I was pleasantly surprised to find, however, that it is actually quite accessible and action-packed, even funny at times. While the novel is long, the chapters are quite short, making it easier to get through. As of Chapter 12, the flow is definitely weird compared to Western novels; rather than having a single focused plot, it's almost like a relay race, where you'll have a few chapters following character A, who then meets character B, then a few chapters following them, and so on, except that major characters do tend to show up again later. From what I've heard, these strands do eventually converge later on. There are also a lot of extraneous details that would be omitted in a more streamlined modern novel. The hardest thing, for many monolingual English readers, will be keeping up with the hundreds of Chinese names, which because of the nature Chinese phonetics (especially when stripped of tones), and the small number of Chinese surnames, can tend to sound alike. It just takes some getting used to. The translation is quite good, and not overly pedantic the way these things can be sometimes. I do feel it would benefit from a bit more in the way of cultural and linguistic footnotes, especially for those who aren't knowledgeable about Chinese culture, religion, etc. But if anything, despite the translator's warnings in the introduction about alien cultural practices, it's actually surprisingly universal and relatable, compared to some of the weirder parts of, say, the Bible. I was quite satisfied with the volume itself, and I definitely think it's worth spending the extra money to get this over the paperback version. The Foreign Languages Press is an official press of the Chinese government, so this is comparable to something like a Library of America edition. It's sturdy, attractive, and should last a long time. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fabulous book! *by A***S on September 7, 2003* Chalk up another victory for video games. Thanks to those electronic annoyances, I have found a wealth of knowledge of mythology and literature, in particular, Chinese literature. So parents, let your kids play! Let me explain. About ten years ago, I stumbled across a video game called the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A fascinating game, I was even more interested in this panoply of Chinese warlords vying for control of the great empire. Lo and behold, I come to find out that indeed this source for this game is an ancient Chinese classic. Fast forward. Having played the "Suikoden" games, I began to grow interested in this notion of the 108 stars of destiny. Again, I look, and I learn of another Chinese classic, the "Outlaws of the Marsh" (or Shui Hu Zhuan). Needless to say, I learned more about Chinese culture from two video games than from the Orientalist claptrap that was taught to us in high school and college. Oh, you don't play video games? Well, let's get down to the book! The "Outlaws" are a group of 108 which band together to fight in the name of the emperor and against government corruption during the Song dynasty. While certainly far from angelic, these people nonetheless fight for the Song dynasty as they are hunted as outlaws by the various nefarious factions of the corrupt Chinese empire. The book chronicles their tales. For example, we learn of Lin Chong, an arms expert whose wife is desired by the evil marshall Gao's lecherous son. Teaming with Lin's childhood friend and oath brother Lu, Gao and his soon manage to gain a death sentence for the righteous Lin. However, Lin escapes their plot and joins up with the other outlaws. Many such stories are chronicled in this fine work, which shares an author (Luo Guanzhong) with "Three Kingdoms". All in all, I loved this book, and place it highly among my favorite works. While not quite as engaging as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" (which I consider the greatest piece of literature ever created), "Outlaws of the Marsh" certainly deserves a place on any educated person's shelf. Also, Shapiro's translation displays a grat deal of the ancient wit found in the classic, and the woodcut images provide an interesting look into Ming dynasty art. My only desire is that one of these days, our schools will have children read some of these tales, rather than the works of Pearl Buck (it seems reasonable to allow people their own impressions of ancient China rather than giving them the observations of another Westerner). ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review *by J***H on February 23, 2020* Der originale Text erschien auf der Website des Webmagazins "Comicgate" in der Kategorie "Währenddessen." Der über zweitausend Seite schwere Roman "Outlaws of the Marsh" von Shi Nai‘an und/oder Luo Guanzhong, war letztes Jahr ein Mammutleseprojekt. Das Buch gilt neben "Journey To The West" und "Romance Of The Three Kingdoms" als ein chinesischer Klassiker. "Outlaws Of the Marsh" erzählt die Geschichte von 108 Gesetzlosen, die im Liangshan-Distrikt ihr Lager aufschlagen und von dort aus Angst und Schrecken verbreiten. Zunächst kämpfen sie gegen die Truppen des Kaisers, danach wehren sie fast im Alleingang eine Invasion der Tataren ab. Über eintausend Seiten erzählt der Roman zunächst, wie diese Gruppe zusammenkommt und rollt detailliert die Biografien der wichtigsten Charaktere auf. Das ist für mich der spannendste Teil des Romans, da diese Episoden nicht nur sehr unterhaltsam sind, sondern sich auch mit Fragen über das Böse beschäftigen. Ist es zum Beispiel böse, den Mord seines Bruders zu rächen, da es gegen das Gesetz verstößt, Selbstjustiz zu üben – oder ist es die einzige Form wahrer Gerechtigkeit, die man vollstrecken kann? Können böse Buben wie der Schwarze Wirbelwind, eine der Hauptfiguren des Buches, auch Gutes vollbringen, solange er nur von den richtigen Leuten angeleitet wird? Oder bleibt er nur ein gewalttätiger Schläger, der mehr als einmal im Jähzorn Leute sehr detailliert verstümmelt? Das sind die spannenden Fragen des Romans und die erste Hälfte wurde ich gut unterhalten. Aber dann beginnt die erwähnte Invasion der Tataren und aus einem Buch mit vielen Grauzonen, wird ein klassisches Narrativ von Gut gegen Böse. Die Räuber werden auf einmal von einer Liebe zur Heimat erfüllt – sie haben sich ja stets nur gegen korrupte Minister und nicht gegen das Reich aufgelehnt – und vermöbeln die Invasoren. Das passt wohl zu den historischen Hintergründen des Romans und ich kann mir vorstellen, dass die Autoren das einbauen mussten, um kaiserlicher Zensur zu entgehen, aber schade ist es trotzdem. Davon abgesehen bietet der Roman viele Actionszenen wie aus einem Wuxia-Film: tränenreiche Schwüre der Bruderschaft, wahre Freundschaft und einen bizarren Running-Gag. Denn sehr oft passiert einer Figur, dass sie in einem Gasthaus halt machen und der Wirt plant, diesen umzubringen. Scheinbar sind alle Gastwirte im Reich schäbige Diebe und Mörder. Die Hauptfigur kriegt das raus, es wird sich geprügelt und dann stellt sich heraus, dass der Wirt einen Freund der Figur kennt, den er sehr vergöttert und warum hat die Figur das denn nicht gleich gesagt – man ist ja schließlich Teil derselben Bruderschaft und einen werten Miträuber tötet man schließlich nicht. Schön zu wissen, dass es doch so was wie Ehre unter Dieben gibt. Ich hatte wirklich gehofft, dass "Outlaws of the Marsh" einer meiner liebsten Romane werden würde. Die allzu patriotische, zweite Hälfte hat das aber zunichte gemacht. Was soll‘s. Die erste Hälfte ist ja noch da. ## Frequently Bought Together - Outlaws of the Marsh (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes) - Three Kingdoms (Chinese Classics, 4 Volumes) - Journey to the West (Chinese Classics, Classic Novel in 4 Volumes) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vn/products/61802070-outlaws-of-the-marsh-chinese-classics-classic-novel-in-4](https://www.desertcart.vn/products/61802070-outlaws-of-the-marsh-chinese-classics-classic-novel-in-4) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vietnam* *Store origin: VN* *Last updated: 2026-05-18*