Rating: 
Summary: Eastern mythology never read so well(or so funny.)
Review: I was given this book, on loan, and promised a wondrous ride. I admit that the idea of Eastern Fantasy is unusual in our Western libraries, but Hughart carries it off with charm and style. His characters are richly drawn, finely tuned and amazingly human. Master Li will bemuse and bedazzle you, and Ten Ox will win your heart. I look for this book in every book store I go to, so I can stock my collection of "unmeasurable treasures," to share with my friends. Read this book, climb aboard, and let Master Li educate you like no one else has before
Rating:
Summary: You haven't read fantasy until you've read "Bridge of Birds"
Review: This book shows that length is of no accord when it comes to fantasy. Its single volume of eloquence, humour, wit, drama and pure imagination puts the multi-volume monoliths of Eddings and Tolkien to shame. To date, this is still the best fantasy book that I have ever read. Hughart manages to enthral his readers with a magical and fascinating world of musical trinkets, mystical caverns and outrageuosly funny characters. He manages to blend Eastern and Western folklore in a way that is at once recognisable yet seamless. In reading it, one cannot help but sense that Hughart had a whale of a time writing it. Absolutely unfetterred imagination. I read this book six years ago and it's still fresh in my mind. "Jade plate, six eight, fire that burns hot, night that is not." It warms my heart that so many other readers share in the joy of reading this volume. Give yourself a trip of a life-time, READ IT
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely wonderful book, unlike any other.
Review: Exceptional, singular, unique--I have simply never read anything quite like it.
It is a fantasy/alternate history (set in Ancient China), a mystery (perhaps in
more than one sense of the word), and a bawdy (Rabelaisian?) comedy--and it all
*works*! I have no idea how he (the author) pulls it off. Plot & characters all
are memorable.
No one to whom I have recommended this book to has ever failed to rave about it
afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: Godlike.
Review: One of the best books I've ever read. One of, I'm sure, the best books ever written.
In a world full of Eddings and Feist and Goodkind, Hughart's books are triumphs of witty,
lean, well-written, insanely funny, and heartwarming writing. Bridge of Birds is, quite
simply, one of the books that I'm geniunely sad when I finish, because it's now over, and
I have to leave the world that Hughart built for me.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books.
Review: I fell in love with this book as soon as I read it, and have given away at least 12 copies of it since then. It
has a real importance to me--I get a warm, secure feeling
when I read it. I can safely recommend it to fans
of historical novels, mysteries, and fantasy. Nobody
I've given a copy to has given me a bad review in response!!
Sadly, the second and third books are not of the same quality. I'd still like to read more of them!
Rating:
Summary: The most entertaining fantasy book I've ever read.
Review: This is the first in a series of fantasies set in Ancient China.
The next in the series is called "Story of a Stone", and the
third is called "Eight Skilled Gentlemen". I recommend these
books, and particularly "Bridge of Birds", to my friends and fellow
book-lovers at every opportunity.
Mr. Hughart's outlandish plots are hilarious; many of his comedic
methods remind me of Voltaire's "Candide". However, this is no political satire. It is a mystery which retains a high level of
suspense despite its ability to make the reader laugh out loud on practically every page.
Ultimately, its humor and its gripping plot are simply supports
for its true theme -- a touching and optimistic examination of
the human condition.
I cannot recommend this author strongly enough. I hope he is still writing!
Rating:
Summary: I give copies of this book to all my friends.
Review: Barry Hughart shows the reader how it's possible to rescue
the gods and save the world, all while trying to get a really
important task accomplished. This book is compelling from the first page to the very end and will tempt you to read
it again and again. I give copies of this book to all my
friends.
Rating:
Summary: Great Fantasy Book!
Review: It has a captivating story that will make you read
to the final page in a day.
Rating:
Summary: Pow! Hits you between the eyes.
Review: When a crazy scheme to rob Chinese peasants of their silk harvest leaves the village children poisoned, Lu Yu, known as Number Ten Ox sets off on a journey to find a cure. Most of the wise men in Peking refuse to help him for what the village can afford, but one sage, Li Kao, agrees to help. Li Kao recognizes the problem but the cure is a different matter--and sets Ten Ox and Li Kao in an epic journey that pits them against monsters, a money-hungry Duke, and an ancient legend of Ginsen and Gods. BRIDGE OF BIRDS was author Barry Hughart's first novel and it does start a bit slowly. Once it gets going, however, it becomes a fascinating adventure, a humorous story, and a thoughtful look at humanity and human obsession. It took me days to get through this book, not because it isn't interesting, but because it is so full. It took me a bit of recovery time to launch myself into the next adventure. By the way, there's also a bit of a mystery. See if you can figure it out before Li Kao and Ten Ox. Hughart creates a different kind of fantasy. The protagonists aren't powerful warriors, but a peasant and an alcoholic sage. Their quest doesn't start out as saving the world from evil, but saving some children from the evil acts of a couple of misers. But the book's subtle power sucked me in, made me care about the characters and the story, and made me think that I was actually seeing something about the world for the first time. Too heavy? Okay, the book is also a laugh. It's a series of unfortunate events in an adult style. I like this book a lot.
Rating:
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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