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The
Bridge of Birds I'm one of those people who find it hard pinpointing a favorite. Each book, film, pasttime, or meal is something I enjoy on its own merits. Some days my favorite thing to do is ride the rollercoasters at Astro World; other days I'd like nothing better than curling up by the fire with a good book. How could I possibly like Star Wars more or less than Casablanca? Would you ask me to choose between's Mom's manicotti and Mom's lasagna? |
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So for years I never had a favorite book. Favorite authors (note the plural), yes. But one book that I love more than any other? It just didn't seem possible.
Then by great good fortune a friend lent me his tattered copy of The Bridge of Birds. The cover was nearly gone, and the edges of most of the pages curled. Those pages that weren't torn were coffee-stained or faded. I knew it was a much-loved book, and I soon discovered why.
The Bridge of Birds is a fantasy set in a China that never was. It's a mystery of gods and ginseng and fairy tales. It's an adventure of ghosts and labyrinths and monsters. It's a comedy of misadventure and coincidence and bedroom farce. It's a drama of injustice and cruelty and children at death's door.
Through it all move two of the most delightful heroes you will ever meet: Number Ten Ox, whose great strength is only exceeded by his heart; and Master Li Kao, whose powers of deduction are only surpassed by his humor. Together they will thrill you, charm you, and move you to tears.
The Bridge of Birds has become the first book I turn to when life gets me down. It is a story I have treasured again and again for its warmth, its irony, and its wonder. It makes me laugh out loud even though I can no longer count the number of times I've threaded my way through the labyrinth of its tale. And every time I read it, I feel as if I am truly reading an account of ancient China, a China that did exist, even though it's only in our dreams.
In this, his first book, Barry Hughart has created a complex and remarkable masterpiece. If you despise fantasy, if mysteries bore you, if no book has ever made you laugh, then this work will change the way you look at fiction. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Hughart followed his first book up with two more adventures starring Li Kao and Number Ten Ox. Unfortunately, The Story of the Stone and Eight Skilled Gentlemen are both out of print -- but Amazon.com can find them for you if you're interested. Both are nearly as good as the first book -- and that's saying a lot!
whereas empty-headedness only leads to more empty-headedness,
or to a career in politics.
(Master Li)
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