Rating: 
Summary: Mind-Bogglingly Stellar.
Review: I play D&D and am trying to set up my players in an Oriental-styled setting. This book puts the "Oriental Adventures" campaign setting to same with such grace and panache, I'm almost disappointed that I ever bought "Oriental Adventures." The story is a well-played fantasy adventure with -- and narrated by -- a big peasant (Ox) and an old genius (Master Li). But anybody can *just* tell a story. Where Hughart really shines is his ability to create a Chinese mythos for his "barbarian readers" who really can't say what's real about ancient China and what isn't.Note that this really isn't a kids book -- it's also got a lot of sex and death. While the sex is tastefully euphemized, the death tends to be more than a bit nasty. It's also worth mentioning that the second book in this series, "The Story of Stone" is quite good at world-building, although I haven't been as impressed with the storytelling. However, setting it up against Bridge of Birds isn't a really fair comparison -- it's still more fun than, oh say, the mean-spirited "Sir Apropros of Nothing". Finally, if you can find the recently released "Chronicles" edition with all three books -- and a beautiful cover by fantasy artist Kaja Foglio -- you can save yourself the trouble of buying the others after you realize how awesome Bridge of Birds is.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful fantasy tale
Review: When the children of a village are accidentally poisoned, Number Ten Ox (a tenth son who is strong as an ox) sets out to buy information from a learned sage. He discovers that his 3000 copper coins do not go far and has to settle for Li Kao, a seer with "A slight flaw in his character." However, the irreverent and cynical Li is just what the doctor ordered, and the two set off on a quest for the "Great Root of Power." The quest takes them through a fantasy China that resembles actual China in the same way as Tolkien's lands resemble Europe. For example, ghosts and gods are real and interact directly with living mortals, the wisest man in the world actually can make you immortal (and invulnerable), etc. This mystical backdrop is filled with fun and interesting characters - each one a fully-developed and unique individual. This is important, as the characters keep reappearing in what can only be called "directed coincidence." There are scenes of bone-chilling violence (why do people insist it is suitable for children?), tender romance, sex, drugs, and if there is no rock 'n' roll, it's only because it hadn't been invented yet (we get a bell-chorus instead). In short, this book has it all, and the tale is told in a lyrical and very funny way that's sure to keep you entertained from page 1 to the end.
Rating:
Summary: A Witty and Exciting Adventure!
Review: This is a story of the adventure of Number Ten Ox and Master Li Kao, a "scholar with a slight flaw in his character." The two embarks on a riotous quest to find a cure for a mysterious illness that befell the village children set in an "ancient China that never was." Along the way they encounter memorable characters each with his/her own peculiarities and motives. This is a fantasy novel that doesn't make any attempt at being scholastic about period details. It doesn't bother as well in too much detail about the "little things." (For example, the story says Number Ten Ox can carry Master Li on his back because he was huge and strong and Master Li was thin. But it doesn't bother explaining how he can run far and do other things while the old man is clinging to him; no fuss as well on when they stop to eat, what they eat, etc typical of fantasy novels attempting to put depth in present moments.) The story is funny too because of the characters, dialogues and situations (Master Li scolding a goat about geometric progression) that they manage to put themselves in. You'll know to whom an "imperial prick" refers to and you'll read a reference to pawn brokerage as the "second oldest profession." You'll realize that you have just started reading the book and would wonder if this will be sustained throughout the novel. It won't disappoint you on that. But the characters have heart and the story is stirring. I highly recommend that you read this and share it with your friends.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Every Penny
Review: I bought this originally from a small bookstore that offered a money back guarantee - if you didn't like it, return it for a full refund. They only made the offer on this one title, and I'm told they NEVER had to pay off on it! Master Li, the ancient sage 'with a slight flaw in his character' is hired by Number Ten Ox to find the cure for the mysterious sickness that has affected all the children of his village. Traveling throughout 'an ancient China that never was' the pair meet such memorable characters as Ma the Grub, Henpecked Ho, Fainting Maid, and the most ruthless tyrant to ever walk the land. Liberally sprinkled with bawdiness, philosophy, adventure and the odd murder, this is simply a great read! Buy it, even without a money-back guarantee!
Rating: 
Summary: Clever and fun fantasy, Chinese style
Review: This books is a really nice change of pace for a fantasy reader. Slim and carefully crafted, it shines compared with piles of doorstop size volumes put out by the Jordans and Goodkinds. The characters are a little flat but are entertaining and pleasant to spend time with, and there is humor and irony aplenty. The story is not powerfully moving or life-enriching but very cleverly put together and exceptionally diverting. Some of the high praise had made me expect something that was really lyrical and powerful; I found it instead to be a pleasant entertainment, but for fantasy readers this is an excellent choice as a change of pace.
Rating:
Summary: Magicking the Mundane into Music: A Beautifully Lyrical Book
Review: I discovered Barry Hughart's work a few years ago when I took a chance and bought an omnibus of all three books (no longer available) and devoured them within 3 days. "Bridge of Birds" is written so beautifully that it is hard to describe. It meshes fantasy, romance, history (one that never was but should have been), mythology and a detective story so seamlessly that it is hard to imagine that someone, some "human", could have written such a beautiful tale. It seems to me a gift from the gods and Mr. Hughart has surely been privy to their own tales to bring us such a perfect specimen. His characters at first seem stereotypical but soon bloom into complex personalities-often using small stories within the story itself to explain them. Master Li is the quintessential wise man who almost seems a demi-god. But his flaws are so in tune with his character and the interactions of other characters (such as his faithful, innocent client/companion Number Ten Ox) that, even in adversity, the words and story flow, connect and shimmer like liquid mercury. The hope and belief that the gods and goddesses walk among us is strengthened by this gem of a book and I, for one, could not be more pleased. I highly recommend not only this book but the other two Mr. Hughart has written (with equal artistry) to anyone who needs their soul to be uplifted and their minds challenged. I'm also writing a plea to Mr. Hughart (last seen in Tucson, AZ, where I live): MORE! I beg you! MORE!
Rating:
Summary: Definition of "apocryphal"-- if it is not true, it SHOULD be
Review: with the confident jauntiness of a tall tale, the Bridge of Birds unfolds a tale of wonder, pathos, and humor. From parragraph to paragraph, the reader cannot predict the course of the novel because it defies convention. It's a fantasy! It's a detective story! It's fall on the floor funny! Bridge of Birds has a place in my top ten.
Rating:
Summary: Stop the madness
Review: As a member of PETA I was appalled when I saw the title of this book. How many helpless innocent birds would have to be slaughtered to actually build a functional bridge? Well one is one to many as far as I'm concerned. We are the caretakers of this planet and its inhabitants not the "masters" to do with the rest of earth's inhabitants as we see fit.
Anyway this book does not promote abusing animals in any way shape or form (although some trees were killed to create the book). It is very well written and funny. I liked it a lot but I suggest we start a petition requesting that the author change the title of the book to something more acceptable. Like maybe "Bridge of artificial birds that in no way harmed a real bird in its making".
Rating:
Summary: Read this NOW!
Review: We have loved this book for over 10 years, and have given away many copies - just buying 5 more today to give away. Read it aloud to someone you love.
Rating: 
Summary: A Chaotic Bridge
Review: I'm afraid I must join the minority of readers who had problems with this novel. Even though it is a fantasy, such a genre also has rules which the writer must follow, and Bridge of Birds reads like a big, frantic mess. One deus ex machina follows another, and the author tries to cram characters and events into this story like rush hour riders into a Japanese subway car. I only kept reading to find out how the story ended, and was glad when it was over. Hughart is much better when he slows down and adopts a more lyrical pace which, unfortunately, is rarely. Still, this book deserves three stars for the attempt.
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