Rating: 
Summary: This is the best....FORGET the catagorizing!
Review: Forget that this book is catagorized as "fantasy." It never occurred to me that I was reading anything but fabulous fiction. I am Master Li's number one fan. Unabashedly, wholeheartedly, and sincerely. There is not another book on this planet that moves me -- in all directions -- as this one. I found this book right after it was published when a friend sent it to me and insisted that I read it. From the very first line, I was hooked. I've since read the other two Master Li tales and loved, them, but not like "BoB." The story never lets me down, despite my repeated readings. I have all three stories in hardback and my copy of "BoB" has been signed by the very gracious Hughart himself. (He's in Yahoo! People Find in Tucson, AZ) I'm interested in mounting an email campaign to paperback publishers for "More Master Li," as I believe there are enough of the faithful out here in cyberspace to support more stories. If you want the best that writing has to offer, read this book...share it with your friends...re-read it and continue to share it with your friends. You -- and they -- will be richer for it! One last wish...may you always know someone with a slight flaw in their character! Buy this book!
Rating:
Summary: Poetic, humane, and wonderful
Review: I don't know exactly what it is that makes Bridge of Birds and its two sequels such enduring favourites of mine. I keep coming back to them again and again, and for someone who reads several books a week this is quite a commitment. I discovered them while working at Forbidden Planet in London, and read them while the customers could go to hell as far as I was concerned. Since then they've been one of my first ports of call whenever I'm tired or depressed. Literally they are like a breath of fresh air, reminding you in a few short paragraphs what's right with the world. Bridge of Birds is the best of the three, in my opinion. It is the simplest in terms of plot, and you just can't beat the thrill of meeting the characters for the first time. Hughart's style evolved through the books, and I think that objectively (if one can say that about a book) he's a better writer by Eight Skilled Gentlemen - but Bridge of Birds shows the real feeling and humanity that goes into his storytelling. The story of Miser Shen and Ah Chen - listening to Miser Shen's speech about his daughter is genuinely moving in an understated way that is totally at odds with the usual histrionics of most modern fantasy. Ditto the madness of Doctor Death. Most writers are content to let their characters languish behind cliche, but Hughart is determined to show that behind everyone is a personality that is more complex than outward show would suggest - even fairly unimportant characters such as the merchant have hidden depths. Most fantasy - in fact almost all of it - is devoid of wit, drama, character depth and humanity. It gives "escapism" a bad name. These books have all the above qualities which makes the fantastic elements of the stories that much more interesting. Reading Bridge of Birds gives one a similar feeling to reading The Lord Of The Rings - on a different scale - that thrill and sense of being part of the world, drawn in by characters as interesting and unpredictable as real people. Buy these books if you ever get the opportunity. Your life will be richer thereby. Should we, as has been hinted by others here, start an active petition to get more of his work out there?
Rating:
Summary: Classic Fantasy
Review: I had the chance to review Hughart's second and third books for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. And after finally reading "A Bridge of Birds" I see no reason to change my blurbs that appear on the Bantam edition of "Eight Skilled Gentlemen." "Devilishly witty, lively and fun." "Hughart's Master Li books are among the best fantasy series going." Too bad, of course, that there's never been a fourth (and more). Some paperback publisher ought to grab the series, pay decently for it, and get Hughart writing again.
Rating:
Summary: All five stars and then some
Review: Look below. EVERYONE gave this book five stars... EVERYONE! P-P-P-LEASE Mr. Hughart, Write more! I'm drooling for more! (Not that you can read this book too many times.)
Rating:
Summary: Bridge of Birds is possibly the best fantasy novel ever.
Review: This story is truly unique. Most fantasies draw on medieval Europe and classical mythology for their context; this one derives from the usually-unexplored realm of Chinese history and folklore. Astoundingly tight in style and still breathtakingly descriptive, it shows Hughart's massive literary talent and the thoroughness of his background research. The sequels, Story of the Stone and Eight Skilled Gentlemen, are equally superb. Write to the publishers if you love these stories; the latter two are out of print, and the author says many more are yet unwritten due to lack of interest. Long Live Li Kao and Lu Yu!
Rating:
Summary: This book has stuck in my mind for years...
Review: There's not much I can add here to all the reviews that have gone before...Bridge of Birds is, quite simply, a classic piece of fantastic literature...and here's some news: The Stars Our Destination, Chicago's premier SF/F/Horror bookstore, has just published an omnibus edition of the three Master Li and Number Ten Ox books. It's a beautiful volume, available in both limited edition hardcover and trade paperback (and no, I am by no means in their employ, I just bought a copy for one of my nephews as a Christmas present and thought more people should know).
Rating:
Summary: The most sublime of books - The most Magical and Human
Review: As a reader of fantasy literature and a student of English Litearture, whose main interest are in mythology, folklore and anthropology, I would like to say that this book is special - UNIQUE. The reason is - that amazingly enough - just as sensational literature - as Horror fiction - leaves you FEELING the text, so does this book leave you feeling ... well ... what could only be described as a feeling of bliss. It is human - sad, witty, funny, and above all touching to the bone. The only book to have ever left me in tears after reading.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating new kind of literature. Spellbinding.
Review: I read books to my wife in the evenings. This book was a wonderful shared experience. Every night, we couldn't wait to read. This book has a lyric beauty combined with an almost comical simplicity. It is a mystery novel which just twists and turns magically from place to place. The characters are diverse and colorful. It will make you cry, laugh, and feel wonderful. I have bought three copies for friends already.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: This is one of my favourite books ever. I found it ages ago in a relative's house and borrowed it. From then on I was hooked! I've actually read this about 7 or 8 times. Anyway, being Chinese myself, I was very impressed that Bridge of Birds managed to capture perfectly the style of Chinese folklore, without being campy (unlike some of the other books that tried to do this). Not only that, the book has everything, laughter, tears, suspense...the whole works! Even if you don't buy anything else, this is totally worth your while.
Rating:
Summary: A mad, wonderful, beautiful, frantic, inspired book.
Review: Not to repeat all the other reviews, but everyone I know who has read this book is pretty much speechless. They mostly just nod and go "wow...". And just to add, if you read this book and don't weep with joy and pain at the end, you have my deepest sympathy and a heart of stone.
| 
