Timeframe and Literary Precedent
The novel's historical setting is not explicitly mentioned. However, some readers speculate that the story is based in the late Qing Dynasty, judging from the illustrations in the published Chinese versions authorised by Jin Yong, which show male characters wearing queues (a specific Qing era hairstyle).
Wu Liuqi, a character from The Deer and the Cauldron, is mentioned in the third edition of A Deadly Secret. This confirms that A Deadly Secret is set in the Qing Dynasty.
Some commentators feel that the plot resembles Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo, except that they are based in different countries and historical periods. Jin Yong has admitted some influence from Dumas, his favourite non-Chinese novelist.
Read more about this topic: A Deadly Secret
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