(Cover of “A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes” [Photo/Xinhua])

A Chinese martial arts novel is to conquer Western readers, as the English translation of “Legends of the Condor Heroes” started its global release on February 22, 2018.

It’s the first time that the best-selling Chinese martial arts novel has been translated into English.

The released book is the first volume of the acclaimed trilogy written by Louis Cha who is known by the pen name Jin Yong. With a title of “A Hero Born,” it is now available in many bookstores in the U.K. at 14.99 pounds (about RMB 132 yuan).

As the original trilogy is long and full of plots, the publisher MacLehose Press said that the translated work will come in four volumes. However, the translation and publishing of the first volume alone took nearly six years to complete.

In an interview with China’s Xinhua News Agency, the translator of the book Anna Holmwood said she did the translation with a humble heart as she is fully aware of the position of the original book in its readers’ mind and its popularity. In Anna’s eyes, you can find chivalry, heroism, love and hatred in Louis Cha’s work, which are well-received by readers all over the world. Therefore, she is very optimistic about the prospect of Chinese martial arts novels in the English book market.

MacLehose Press also has a plan to publish the English translations of “Divine Condor, Errant Knight” and “Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre.”