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Summary: And now for something completely different...
Review: I read "Bridge of Birds" solely on the merits of those who reviewed the book here on the Amazon site. This book is sooooo different from anything I have read before, but I found the story quite fascinating and fast paced. Did Master Li really have a flaw in his character?? I have recommended this book to many of my friends!
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Summary: A Long time favourite back again!
Review: I've loved this book for years, and I'm glad to see its reissued, so everyone else can enjoy it too! (Hopefully, the sequels aren't far behind)
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Summary: My all-time favorite book - - and I read a LOT!
Review: Please see my complete reviews below...you'll have to scroll a bit, but I'm down there.There is no other favorite book in the world for me. "Bridge of Birds" has it all...and in such a wonderfully wrapped story, too! Buy this book...you will not be sorry!
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Summary: "A Novel of an Ancient China that Never Was"
Review: In the genre of science-fiction & fantasy novels, it is common for a truly classic tale to be found hiding on one's bookcase. 'Bridge of Birds' was one such story that I was lucky enough to stumble upon. Take the advise of my fellow reviewers and purchase a copy of this book. With the lack of any Hollywood adaption or big name author, most books simply dissapear, but this novel remains in print on the strength of its story alone. The story of the quest of Number Ten Ox and Master Li Kao to save the dying children of a village is magical. Part fantasy, part fairy tale, and part tall tale, it all weaves together in the style of ancient Chinese storytelling. A refreshing change from the traditional medievel European fantasy setting, Hughart instead places his story in China, and uses the rich resources and traditions of that country to tell his story. Like 'The Princess Bride,' this story is a fairy tale for adults, with a mix of sentimentality, sexuality, humor and legend that will have you buying copies for all your friends. A hidden treasue, a rare find...pick your favorite overused cliche...they all apply to 'Bridge of Birds.' You'll treasure its charm and uniqueness.
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Summary: Excellent fantasy novel.
Review: One of the more difficult literary tricks is to write Oriental fantasy in the grand style: a mixture of adventure, folklore, sociology, ancient history (even if imaginary) and just plain fun. Not many wirters can pull this off successfully. Some have, of course. Frank Owen's The Pocelain Magician. Abe Merrit's The Ship of Ishtar. Hannes Bok's The Sorceror's Ship. It can be done, and when it is done properly the results are a sheerly magical as the subjects of the stories. But all these books came fro the Golden Age, around 1930 plus or minus a couple of decades. Now, completely unexpectedly, Barry Hughart has produced a marvelous little epic which easily takes its place alongside the finest works of the past. The Bridge of Birds is set, as the wrapper blurb puts it, in "an exotic back-drop of China thirteen-and-a-half centuries ago." Somewaht luridly, the blurb goes on to speak of homicidal matriarchs, "Monsters both visible and invisible," marvelous ghosts, and on and on. As blurbs go, this one is outstanding - and it does not overstate the contents one little bit. Our Hero Number Ten Ox narrates the story, and though naive he is far from stupid. Certainly, as one would expect, he is unschooled - what else would you expect of a yokel from an extremely insular village deep in the heart of ancient China? He is, if one ;can pardon the comparison, an oriental Lil Abner. When something mysterious happens to the children of the village, Number Ten Ox is sent to Imperial City to hire a sage for advice. But the only one he can afford (or indeed even interest) is Li Kao, an ancient and extremely venerable sage who holds the Imperial Flower Award for scholarship, the highest possible award tendered by the Emperor Himself. Unfortunately, Li Kao has a slight flaw in his character... Together, Number Ten Ox and Li Kao embark on a quest for that most valuable of all treasures, lthe Great Root of Power, the ginseng root which embodies the Goddess of Ginseng Herself. Only the essence of the Great Root can save the children. There is, of course, only one, and it is... well, now, that's part of the problem. It seems to have been chopped up into several major pieces, and each piece is owned by one Great Personage or another, such as the Ancestress, and the Baron, and the Emperor Himself. In the course of the story, Mr. Hughart produces a beautiful essay on the history and business - and the dangers - of finding genseng root in the wilds (which is, of course, the only place genseng can be found.) There is nothing mythicall about ginseng root, by the way; it is now,m and has been for countless centuries, a very valuable product of the Orient. But the most wonderful person in a book full of wonderful personages is Lotus Cloud, a peasant girl of exceptional plainness who is, nevertheless, completely irresistible. She is insatiable in her demands for pearls and jade, and every man who meets her insists on bakrupting himself just for the pleasure of spilling treasure in her lap. She is, of course, responsible for the Bridge of Birds which is built between Earth and Heaven especially for her. The story is told by Number Ten Ox, but it is really hers. This lovingly crafted book is full of plot twists, literary surprises, and all the other wonderful things which make for an excellent read. It will take, indeed has already taken, its place among the great works of the fantasist's art. This book is highly recommended for all of us who love delightful adventure and fine writing.
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Summary: Simply the best
Review: Have you ever read a book that made you laugh,cry and feel so strongly about the characters that you wanted to fight their battles with them? That's what happened to me when I first read the book "Bridge of Birds".I read the book about 8 years ago and the story has remained with me since then.Thats how much you will care about the story. I could wax lyrical with superlatives but I will simply say this, if you never read this book, you will miss one of the most entertaining, moving and thought provoking pieces of literature, that I personally have had the privilege to read.
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Summary: Wonderful Fantasy with the flavour of the Classics
Review: I am a fan of classical Chinese texts and this rang true of the writing style including the humor (puns). This is a very accessible book for anyone, you needn't know any Chinese mythology to fully enjoy the story or feel for the characters. This story reminded me of the Mark Saltzman book that is a continuation of the Monkey King telling entitled The Laughing Sutra.
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Summary: Mr. Hughart, Please write more!!!!!!!
Review: I read Bridge of Birds when it first came out and fell in love with it. My wife was the next to fall under its spell. I am now on my third copy and refuse to loan it out because the previous two copies never returned but, I have been told, are still in circulation. A toast to #10 Ox and Master Li Kao, long may they live in this book and the other two in the series and hopefully many more. BUY THIS BOOK!!! It should be in every fantasy lover's permanent collection
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Summary: It's even better read outloud.
Review: At college, this was one of several books (including Princess Bride) that were read outloud to an informal gathering of friends. The humor is even more hillarious when five other people in the room are cracking up at it as well. Overall, it was one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read, or had read to me. Try reading it out loud with a few companions, it should enhanse the experiance.
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Summary: Blink.
Review: Read the book, close it and blink once. You'll be a trifle sad to find the world exactly the same as you left it, ridiculously happy when you realize that most probably, it's not.
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