Stealing the Fist

di Arthur Peng (Autore)

Ludwig, 2026

Stealing the Fist («??»Tou quán) From Republican-era wuxia master Gong Baiyu (??? Gong Báiyu), Stealing the Fist is a landmark realistic kung-fu novel rooted in the legend of Yang Luchan (??? Yáng Lùchán), founder of Yang-style Taiji Quan (??? Tàijíquán). Sickly yet fiercely determined, young Yang Luchan dreams of mastering supreme martial arts. After outgrowing mediocre local instruction, he journeys hundreds of li to Chen Village, hoping to study under the reclusive genius Chen Qingping (??? Chén Qingpíng). Proud, guarded, and unwilling to share his precious boxing heritage, Chen repeatedly turns the earnest seeker away. Refusing to abandon his quest, Yang makes a desperate gamble. He disguises himself as a mute beggar, takes menial labour at Chen's household, and secretly observes boxing practice from behind walls for years. What unfolds is far more than a tale of stolen combat secrets. Gong Baiyu paints a gritty, unromantic jianghu (?? Jianghú): full of petty grudges, false masters, social hypocrisy, and human frailty. Side plots weave in false accusations, murder mysteries, and tangled personal loyalties among Chen's disciples. This world-first complete English translation by Arthur Peng brings the 1940s classic to global readers. It preserves Gong's sharp social satire and psychological depth, with supporting appendices of character lists, martial-arts glossaries and cultural notes. Moving beyond flashy fantasy wuxia tropes, Stealing the Fist explores persistence, humility, and the heavy human cost of pursuing mastery.

• Autore: Arthur Peng
• Anno edizione: 2026
• Editore: Ludwig
• Formato: EPUB2 con DRMFREE
• Lingua: Inglese
• Compatibilità: Tutti i dispositivi (eccetto Kindle)
• Layout: Reflowable
• EAN: 9798235661165