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Summary: The Book Will Make Ideas and Ideals Leap, Dance, and Cavort.
Review: Mr. Hughart takes an old theme, the Old Master and the Young Student, and makes something fresh and new from it. Children from a small village are given a slow-acting poison and it is up to an old fox "with a slight flaw in his character" and his young student to find a cure...in ancient texts and in the hearts and minds of thieves, con artists and tyrants. It is a Chinese tale told by an Arizonan so be prepared for a wild ride through "a China that never was"
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Summary: If you are looking for magic you will find it here.
Review: Barry Hugart has a way of weaving magic between the lines of this book. It reads like a finely woven silk tapestry of tales, rich in both beauty and sadness that leaves a lasting impression on the soul
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Summary: Why you should read BRIDGE OF BIRDS
Review: This is as good as any book you will ever read, it is a combination of India Jones and Sherlock Holmes.
It is funny, adventerous, warm and wonderful.
In short, this kind of adventure comes along in a book once every few years....Don't pass it up
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Summary: This is an intelligent and engaging fantasy/mystery novel.
Review: This intelligent fantasy is populated with some of the most interesting characters in literature. The story is complex, but so well developed that it is a pleasure to follow. Sadly, Mr. Hughart's other two novels are currently out of print. It is to be hoped that current sales of _Bridge_of_Birds_ will encourage publishers to reissue and publish other works by Mr. Hughart.
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Summary: My all-time favorite book!
Review: I can think of no other book that has given me as much laughter, tears, wonderment and sustained entertainment as "Bridge of Birds." I have the book in HARDBACK - - aren't I lucky - - having found it in 1984, quite by accident. I lend this book to no one! It's my personal treasure. If my house were burning, I'd grab my husband, son and then my copy of "Bridge of Birds." I love it that much. I write reviews for a local newspaper and recommend it each spring when I write my "Top Ten Best Books" list. The story follows Number Ten Ox and Li Kao (an ancient gentlemen with "a slight flaw in his character") through China as they search for the secret to breaking an evil spell that has been cast on Number Ten Ox's village. Intertwined with the quest for the potion is a heart-breaking tale of the Princess of Birds, her beloved Shepherd of the Stars and three faithless handmaidens. I've read the book dozens and dozens of times and I find myself falling under Li Kao' s spell each time.....I LOVE THIS BOOK and recommend it without reservations. When the birds begin to build the bridge from earth to the stars, I weep. I'm so happy for the children in Number Ten Ox's village, for the Princess of Birds, for Henpecked Ho, for Doctor Death, and for Number Ten Ox and Li Kao, but most of all, I'm happy to have found such an enchanting piece of literature. I will treasure it always
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Summary: A gem of a story well told and well worth the time!
Review: I first found the little book, Bridge of Birds, in 1984. It instantly became my favorite. Although it's an obscure title by a non-prolific author named Barry Hughart, it's worth the time, I promise. The children of a small village in ancient China are put under an evil spell and it's up to a young man from the village (Number Ten Ox) to find someone to break the spell and free the children. Number Ten Ox enlists the assistance of an ancient gentlemen who introduces himself like this: "My surname is Li and my given name is Kao, and there's a slight flaw in my character." The story follows Number Ten Ox and Li Kao across China as they search for the exact part of the root that will set the children free. In a whole lifetime of reading, I've not found a story that moved me more than "Bridge of Birds." Intertwined with the quest for the magic root is a heart-breaking tale of the Princess of Birds, her beloved Shepherd of the Stars and three faithless handmaidens. This story is wonderful for children and adults and no one I've ever recommended it to has been disappointed. The only puzzlement to me is whey this story was missed-catalogued with science fiction. It's nothing like sci-fi at all. "Bridge of Birds" is a wonderful, funny, heart-warming tour of "an ancient China that never was."
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Summary: I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats...
Review: This book is incredibly engaging, well written, and funny. It keeps all the essential parts of a Chinese fairy tale (the magic, the bawdiness, the occasional intense violence) and makes it accessible to the reader. The solution to the mystery is a surprise - and yet leaves the reader thinking (slap of palm to head) "How could I have missed that?" The ending left me in tears of joy (slightly embarassing, since I was on the Metro at the time). Read it. Read it now
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Summary: A story that never was - but I surely wish it had been!
Review: After reading all the glowing reviews below, what new thing can I add or say? This is an absolutely fantastic book that will make you think, laugh and perhaps even cry; but I think mostly laugh. A hilarious and fast paced ride through a China that could never be but is so well documented and described that you cannot help but wish it were and just about believe. I can only say; read this book or you will have missed a truely wonderful experience! Try to find and read his two sequels, Story of the Stone and The Eight Skilled Gentleman. They are both good but this one is the best. (in my humble opinion
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Summary: Old friends you've just met...
Review: Did you ever meet someone who was an instant friend? Number 10 Ox seems like one. Master Li is someone you'd trust your life to, but probably not your wallet. Perhaps not quite heros, they're heroic enough to do the job, and naive enough to be bedazzled by the results. Evil, horror, pathos, all are beaten by humor, perserverance, hope, and dedication. "The birds must fly.." And you should buy
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Summary: simply amazing; laugh and cry and laugh and think
Review: Almost impossible to believe that a normal human could write so well. Even the minor characters are gems, true cameos. Don't waste time reading this review. Buy and enjoy. You will cry real tears and probably not be able to tell if you're crying for sadness or laughter.....probably for joy
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