Ive checked out everything you’ve suggested before and I especially love the land series and have read them all.
I feel the same like you right now towards western novels, but for a slightly different reason. I think the huge difference between western and eastern culture is the attitude towards "Gary Stu" and "Mary Sue" characters. It seems like perfect/OP characters are considered flat and boring for those who prefer western novels, while it's the complete opposite for those who read eastern novels. Some readers want to see the main character suffering and toiling through obstacles, while others rather see the main character making others suffer. It's an interesting contrast, isn't it? I wonder how much one's culture affects one's preference for types of novels. (I've found eastern novels placing a huge emphasis on revenge and overkill which almost borders on gore, while western novels seem to emphasize forgiveness and redemption more.) Personally, I just love reading in general, so I read both western and eastern novels. What I decide to read is really dependent on what I'm craving for. I've found that western novels just have better world-building and character development. But on the other hand, if I just want to read about the MC blasting obstacles out of the way, without any much risk to their own lives and their comrades' lives, then I go for eastern novels. (Western novels use the death card too often, and I'm a wimp who can't stand bad endings.)
I used to read a shit ton of American novels and comics... now... barely touch the stuff. Then again this was around the time Borders was still around. I'd hit up my shitty shopping mall and just crash the reading aisle at the Borders there... read through the comics and look for fantasy novels. Sometimes I'd check out some of those fancy picture books about animals or medieval diagrams. The ones about castles and shit. Later on I grew up and started to drive... went to another Borders... this time with a coffee lounge... got some coffee and a book and burned the better part of the day there. Of course I also bought books. I didn't just read shit for free. If I liked it I bought it. Like the series from forgotten realms with the MC Drizzt Do'Urden. He was a favorite character of mine for a while. Then I got tired of how it never really felt like he improved. Anyways times has changed now. Reading materials are a finger's tip away. Unlock iPhone/Galaxy/Whatever the F is being used now and read away! Oh yeah so damn tired of comic superheroes too. I prefer the kill them/destroy the soul method so the god damn enemy doesn't come back. Enslaving them works just as well... as long as it's foolproof.
The drizzit novel really takes me way back. Loved it but a bit too depressing for my taste. Have you noticed that the super heroes tend to let the people who murder run about and then act all high and mighty when they catch them only for the murder to escape and kill again which sometime happens to be the super hero’s. Friends and family
I tend to find that If I'm reading for entertainment purposes that I like new/intriguing ideas which I haven't entertained before. However, to each their own. I haven't picked up a western novel in probably 5+ years. My view might also be skewed because I grew up on monkey king comics/stories.
For your authentic or should I said heavily-impacted by ancient Chinese moral, ethic or view, you should start reading Mao Ni's works Ze Tian Ji for a slight modernism and kind of relaxing read and Nightfall for a read that heavily emphasized by Confuciusnism, Buddhism and Religious antics His style of work resembled Jin Yong or Gu Long's Wuxia novel. Anyway, it is just my recommendation as I think that the novel you read only show the superficial side or skin of Eastern culture and by any means that my statement didn't have any ill-feelings towards the things you read Enjoy~
Yepo. One of the main reasons why I hate them. Superheros are shit. Catch Joker. Toss Joker into jail. Joker escapes. Joker harms/kills people. BATMAN IS THE FUCKING JOKE! The Gotham police is a joke! The entire fucking comic is a joke! Same with Supershitman. Stops villains. Generic go to jail line. Villain bribes way out/jailbreaks/hypno way out and causes chaos again. Should have killed them instead. Same shit with Spiderface. Seriously spiders EAT their prey! Not catch and release into jail! Western Heroes are stupid. Oh and you're right majority of the time Western MCs are strongarmed helplessly into doing shit for others. That feeling of powerlessness is utter garbage. Since the god damn trope is used so OFTEN!
There are darker adaptions that have them killing the villains but I just can’t take most of the comics seriously with the whole catch and release methods. I do watch the movie and tv adaptions though
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson and any book by him. The lost gate by Orson scott card and his Ender's game series if you like scifi
I think the reason why I like Chinese novels is because they are simple to read. Most western novels are riddled with puzzles and allegories that most people don't care about. Some stands out though, like chronicles of Narnia. But damn was that book complicated, and he expected to read those books to his nephews?
It's a tough start, but it gradually gets better. Book 5 and 6 were many times better than many chinese novels of similar plot.