'I think there is no brother in this world as strange as you'

In the thirty sixth episode of The Translated Chinese Fiction Podcast, we are looking at a video game(!) series called Gujian (古剑/ Gǔ Jiàn). Helping me level up and face my shadow self is Emily Jin, a highly active Chinese science fiction translator, and better yet: a hardcore Gujian fan!

Gujian isn't a Western Tolkeinesque RPG, nor is it a JRPG Final Fantasy-style affair. It's made in China, set in China, and played (mostly) by Chinese gamers. You may not be shocked to learn that it's a Wuxia RPG, with a little Xianxia magic thrown in for good measure.

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// NEWS ITEMS //

• a new interview with Murong Xuecun

• Land Wars and Xi Jinping's father

• 2021 Newman prize nominees announced

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// WORD OF THE DAY //

(剑 / Jiàn / a straight, double-edged Chinese sword)

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// MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE //

• Paladin - Gujian's predecessor

• Fable - Angus' beloved teenage RPG

• ancient Yanling 鄢陵 - a 'flower city'

• 'the Shadow' in Jungian thought

• Philip K Dick, other realities, and the hero's journey

• Bi Xie 辟邪 - the mythic animal Emily described

• C语言修仙 - the Chinese hacker/xianxia webnovel Emily recommended

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// Handy TrChFic Links //

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