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Summary: One of the best novels I ever read
Review: If you don't like this book, you have no sense of humour and no imagination.Please be upstanding for the president of entertainment and food for thought; Barry Hughart. Please give us more...
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Summary: My surname is READ & my personal name is MUST!
Review: WOW!!! This book is unlike anything I've ever read! It's funny, mysterious, witty & engaging!! I recommend it to all readers. You will be amazed.
I'm not going to say much about the story 'cause I don't want to spoil the mystery & fun!
It's about a young man named Number Ten Ox, who goes on a quest to find a cure for a mysterious illness affecting the children of his village! He seeks Master Li Kao, a wise man with a slight flaw in his character!! they go on a journey full of adventure, mystery & much more!! The story is set in fictional Ancient China.
It is totally unpredictable , Go get the book & read it!
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Summary: With a slight flaw in my character
Review: This series of books is probably the greatest set I have read since the Narnia series. A rare find in a book is being able to see as well as read what is going on between the pages. With these books my imagination has always come alive. I am kind of upset that the other two books in this series are out of print. I am glad that between my sister and I, we have all 3. I really wish that more of this series could be written.
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Summary: Radiantly clever and engaging
Review: Li Kao is a scholar with a slight flaw in his character who agrees to assist Number Ten Ox when the children of the village are mysteriously struck down by an illness that only the Great Root of Power can cure. Along the way we see characters like Miser Shen, the most expensive woman in the world, Henpecked Ho, and the Key Rabbit. I generally don't like fantasy set in historic periods but I loved _Bridge of Birds_. It's written with a combination of irony and sincerity that is very difficult to resist. The story unfolds with humor and pathos and I found myself genuinely wondering what was going to happen next after every twist and turn. Absolutely worth a read or two.
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Summary: A Great book & a tip on where to get them all.....
Review: I first stumbled upon this book about 6-7 years ago and immediately fell in love with it. I also decided to find any other Barry Hughart books. I found 8 Skilled Gentleman in a close out sale, but couldn't find The Story of the Stone anywhere. These are great books. Like a previous reviewer stated the tone of books is similar to that of The Princess Bride, though a little more grim and a little more adult. They are a must read. And finally, for those of you dying to get them all, the Science Fiction Book Club did a omnibus reprint of all 3 in a single hardback in 1998. You might still be able to get some. I know it was a high demand item for them, but it was definitely worth it to finally get to read all 3. A must read book that would make a great animated movie.
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Summary: A wonderful ride
Review: This is a book that transcends categories. It is a quest novel, a romance, a mystery, history, & fable. The characters are well written & you'll remember them long after you close the book. There are gods & villians, both human and fantastic. It has adventures & at its core a true heart. They're truly human characters, each with their strengths & flaws in their character. And it is for the flaws that you feel as though they could have existed. Joy & tragedy abound here. There is something for everyone here. Barry Hughart is a magician of words, emotion & images. I highly recommend it.
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Summary: not really what I had thought it would be
Review: I picked up this book thinking of it as a fantasy novel, however I felt disappointed. Instead of non-stop action, intrigue, or even any type of excitement, I found it to be slow and unsuprising. I do not understand why it is classified as a fantasy novel, other than the fact that it is fiction. I finished the book, however it was quite a chore. One major thing that bothered me was the weird references to sex. I mean, one moment the main character is playing lookout, the next he's talking about spying on some couple having sex. To top it off, it turns out that the couple are nothing more than insects. If you are looking for something that is filled with dragons, myths and excitment, this is definately not the book for you.
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Summary: Why I would say something bad about this book.
Review: The only reason to say something bad about this book is to have the reviewer stand out in an otherwise approving audience. The squeaking wheel thereby gets a little grease with which it may burnish its ego. The book Bridge of Birds is as good as all the 5 star ratings suggest. Please note that I didn't have to stoop to a 1 star rating of it to get you to read this.
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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!
Review: I doubt that I can anything to all the previous reviews, so I'll just say this: please do not pass up a chance to read one of the funniest, most touching books ever written! And be prepared to be unable to put it down once you start reading it. I've owned a copy of the book for years, and it is almost worn out. My thanks to the author for giving me such a wonderful world to explore!
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Summary: Don't miss a chance ...
Review: ... to read ALL of Barry Hughart's books. They are sentimental, inventively gruesome, degenerate, high-minded, and best of all, funny.
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