Shi Nai'an est reconnu comme le compilateur attribué d'une œuvre fondamentale de la littérature chinoise, l'un de ses romans classiques les plus célèbres. Sa contribution offre des aperçus profonds sur les dynamiques sociales et les traditions narratives de son époque. Malgré de maigres détails biographiques, l'impact durable et la signification littéraire de ses écrits sont indéniables. Son style narratif distinctif et sa profondeur thématique solidifient sa place en tant que figure fondatrice de l'histoire littéraire chinoise.
Although Song Jiang is only a lowly local government official, he is loyal to the emperor and kind to all the citizens in his care. But Song is in trouble. A series of unfortunate incidents have led to him being arrested, and his political enemies are keen to see him sentenced to death.
Based on the historical bandit Song Jiang and his companions, this Chinese tale parallels the English classic of Robin Hood and His Merry Men, depicting an epic rebellion against tyranny that has captivated readers for centuries. This edition features a new preface and introduction by Edwin Lowe, who contextualizes the story for modern audiences and explores its history. The first English translation by Pearl S. Buck in 1933 titled All Men Are Brothers was followed by J.H. Jackson's translation, The Water Margin, in 1937. In this updated version, Lowe addresses the shortcomings of the original translation, restoring the grit and flavor of Shuihui Zhuan found in Chinese texts. He reintroduces elements such as sexual seduction, explicit brutality, and the raw voices of the lower classes during the Song Dynasty, which were sanitized in earlier translations. Additionally, the true names of Chinese deities, Bodhisattvas, gods, and demons are reinstated, along with the character of Ximen Qing. While rooted in Chinese culture, the themes of this narrative resonate universally, inspiring countless movies, television shows, and video games to this day.
Der Roman spielt zur Zeit der Sòng-Dynastie und erzählt von Sòng Jiāng und seinem Bund, der gegen Korruption kämpft. Er thematisiert traditionelle Werte des Neokonfuzianismus und bietet reichhaltige, naturalistische Beschreibungen der Gesellschaft. Die ungekürzte Übersetzung umfasst 2000 Seiten mit umfassenden Erläuterungen.