I think the main point I'm trying to make is, who exactly is Jin Yong trying to cater to? What were his goals in making these revisions? I stated before that if they are revisions that seek to correct necessary flaws in storyline flow and/or historical accuracy, then it is fine.
In my opinion, the JLFW revision wasn't a necessary one. It did nothing to change or make the story any better, it only served to cater to those who were displeased with the fact that there are no good Tibetans. I still think Jiu Mor Zhi should fit the bill as a good Tibetan. Plus, with the new changes in the 3rd edition to JLFW's character in that he genuinely cared for GS, why couldn't people see it that he was, if not 100% good, at least a more humanistic and caring Tibetan. I mean, if he is still a bad Tibetan monk anyway, why is Jin Yong changing his ethnicity to Mongolian then?Originally Posted by Laviathan
I can accept that JY wanted the picture of HYS's character to be painted more clearly, but I don't know, are we supposed to just always give the author the benefit of the doubt? It seems that for the most part, we see JY as the final authority. And for the most part, that's the way it should be. But should literature really be an ever-evolving text that is constantly added to, revised, etc., etc. If it were some other author changing his novels, we would of course reject them at first glance right? But if JY could pen that ridiculous 9yang bit, it leads me to wonder if he should really receive the benefit of the doubt on every issue.Originally Posted by Laviathan
Aww ... I wish you didn't bring in the mature reader / silliness argument. How silly is all of wuxia and its nether-world physics in the first place? Again, we readily accept it because it is part of the genre. Likewise, the girl-dressed-as-boy plot device is also very much part of wuxia.Originally Posted by Laviathan
And with the given logical deduction above, wouldn't you think those who grew up among mostly all males would more readily notice a female? Since her features would be drastically different than what he is accustomed to seeing? (soft features, eyes, stature, etc) But anyway, I will concede that this probably qualifies as a necessary revision (if JY really did intend for HTS to see through QQ's disguise because of her upbringing, and not simply because she was a girl).