Faraway Wanderers
With only three years of a ruined life left, he abandoned the Court and set out to explore the renowned mountains and lakes of Jianghu.
However, his former life of leisure and contentment was disrupted by a chaotic Jianghu war, sparked by a fleeting desire to accumulate virtue. Additionally, he found himself being pursued and harassed by the beauty-loving Wen Kexing, who had a complex past.
I have a soft spot for danmei (BL) stories. While I've watched a few heavily censored Chinese dramas, I prefer reading the novels or watching the animations. However, "Word of Honor," the Chinese drama, is a delightful exception. I found many innuendos throughout the series, which blend humor and drama effectively. Both actors, Zhang Zhe Han and Gong Jun, delivered excellent performances. I even came across a YouTube video that analyzed body language, lip-reading, and hidden clues, suggesting that the relationship depicted was not just a bromance but rather a same-sex romance, despite the censorship of BL content in China.
Beware: Curse language. Graphic descriptions of death/killing.
The original novel, "Faraway Wanderers," provides much more depth and definitely removes all the frustration of the last episodes. It showcases the journey of two men, one of whom initially refuses to engage but eventually falls deeply in love. I had a lot of fun proofreading and editing it.
I've noticed several negative reviews of this novel, primarily focusing on the lack of romance and emotional connection. Many English-speaking readers do not consider that Chinese Boys' Love (BL) novels often face heavy censorship. As a result, authors are forced to limit both physical and emotional relationships, which can make the characters' interactions seem more like brotherhoods rather than romantic connections. In some cases, this leads to the characters being even portrayed in a ridiculing manner. This issue is not the authors' fault; it stems from the Chinese government's strict control over intellectual content.
Before diving into a Chinese novel, I encourage you to do some research and check out my page on Censorship in China, which you can find in the top menu. I apologize for venting, but it really bothers me to see these reviews when the authors bravely share their BL stories, even when they are heavily edited.
I abhor censorship in all its forms, as well as some governments' hypocrisy. While I could talk endlessly about this topic, this blog is not the right place for it. As an avid reader of all genres, I am fortunate enough to live in a free country, and it is disheartening to know that Chinese authors must self-censor their writing, resulting in diluted versions of their original stories. Nevertheless, I can still appreciate the Chinese novels and let my imagination soar... -FD
༺☆༻🕮 Freedom to Write - Freedom to Read 🕮༺☆༻
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Genre: Danmei, BL, Romance, Martial Arts, Sects, Assassins, Bickering heroes, Humor, Demons, Beasts |
Author: Priest 2010 | Country: China |
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4 volumes + 4 extras |
Name of the novel: Faraway Wanderers (天涯客) Tian Ya Ke Name of the C-Drama: Word of Honor - (山河令) 2021 - Youku Comic: unknown |