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Has anyone read this book or seen the numerous productions based on it?

For those who do not know, Suikoden is based on a classic chinese novel that dates back as far as the 16th century.

There are also a few movies and TV shows based on it. aswell as other games (Suikoden tendo 108 sei, Suikoden tenmei no chikai and Happy water margin)

I'm thinking about buying the novel because I've seen the movie produced in 1972 called water margin and there were similaritys to Suikoden in it, does anyone want to give me their opinions on it?

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outlaws_of_the_marsh

I probably wouldnt be able to read it either. It would still be nice to own though.

I have it, but haven't finished reading it yet... heheh... I got sidetracked and haven't picked it back up yet, however, what I did read of it is really good. The translation leaves something to be desired, however, if you can get past the translators flubs to what is actually being conveyed, it's pretty cool. Granted, the copy I got is a 4-volume paperback set in a neat little box (a la box-set haha), from Foreign Language Press. They have a 4-volume set like that for all four of the 4 Great Chinese Epics... Journey West (or Saiyuki, or Xi Yu Qi, or Journey to the West), Dream of Red Mansions (or Dream of Red Chamber), Three Kingdoms (or Romance of Three Kingdoms, or Romance of the Three Kingdoms), and Outlaws of the Marsh (or Suikoden, or Water Margin, or Tale of the Water Margin). A word as miniscule as a 'the' can make a world of difference when trying to search for something online... >.<
I want all four of them. However, they are expensive to get a decent copy/set. My copy of Outlaws of the Marsh from Amazon.com was probably about $50. I have also read about one book's worth of a different copy/translation of Dream of Red Mansions. It's pretty good as well... just political and full of vengeance... but then again, are any of these four epics not rife with vengeance? hahaha
The Chinese names are a bit confusing and overwhelming, when you've got ten different people, and the only difference among their names is a mere letter or two. I don't have a very good memory, and my memory is worse for names, so I took to writing down the names of new "Stars of Destiny/Heaven and Earth" as I found them.
And it isn't exactly like the games.
It's a large group of people who are being oppressed by a crooked and evil government, who band together in a fortress surrounded by water in order to fight the oppression. Sound familiar? It is! But, it is also quite different. Just don't expect to see Flik or Viktor. haha That would've made me so happy... *sigh*
However, the story value is really good. In and of itself, what I've read of it kicks a**.
Especially to a Suikoden fan, it is way worth the $50, even though I haven't finished reading it yet.
Speaking of which... *Goes to find her copy*

That was deffinatly helpful! heart

I've already found the store I'm going to buy it from. Brand new, $60 AU, too bad I'm so poor crying and I'm buying the Suikoden III manga as I get the money.

Yup, and the "Romance of Three Kingdoms" games, and the "Destiny of an Emperor" games, and I know there are more... they just aren't coming to me... ^_^

The Suikoden III manga is really good. I have through Volume 9. Not sure when Volume ten comes out (or if it already has), but Suikoden III Vol. 10 is supposed to be the last one. In the author's note in volume 8, I believe she mentioned, "only two more to go!" or something like that. But, it gets into some things that the game doesn't (why Lilly and Chris don't like each other, etc.), whereas, it leaves out some things that were in the game. Futch, for one, has a bit more spotlight in the manga than he did in the game. *drools at Futch* nyaa...

It's nice. And in Volume 9, many of the characters visit Goro's Bath House. ^_~
"Hey, no pets allowed!"
"Bright's not a pet..."

My local anime shop doesnt have all the volumes... I need to get some online... Volume 8 and 9 might prove difficult to get though. sweatdrop