Thank you to everyone who participated in the Bridge of Birds discussion. If you didn't read it, you should (eventually). It's really fun and sweet.

Looking forward to Life of Pi...

Hello, I hope you enjoyed Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. This “novel of an ancient China that never was” is a quirky fantasy often classified alongside such fantasy books as The Last Unicorn and The Princess Bride. I chose this book because I thought it was a nice, funny adventure. I loved all the characters and was constantly surprised by all the twists that the plot took.

My favorite character was Master Li. I thought he was very wise (despite the slight flaw in his character) and always had the best of intentions. I also really liked the part where he opens up to Number Ten Ox and reveals the story of his origin. You think it’s going to be something profound but it turns out that his parents were robbers and his mother named him after the “finest paint remover and worst wine ever invented: Kao-liang.” So funny. Who was your favorite character?

What did you think of the plot as a whole? The children in Number Ten Ox’s village are struck with a plague. He sets out with the only wise man he can afford and they go in search of the Great Root of Power. They meet all kinds of colorful characters who keep reappearing again and again in the story (especially Pawnbroker Fang and Ma the Grub). I know it’s hard for some people to read fantasy or sci-fi novels but I thought this was one that anyone could enjoy.

I think Hughart did a really good job describing everything, from the funeral procession for Fainting Maid to the labyrinth under the Duke of Ch’in’s palace to the Hand of Hell to the city beneath the Lake of the Dead. Also, I like that this story was a period piece, taking place in the Year of the Tiger 3,337 (A.D. 639).

In the end, were you surprised to find out who the Duke of Ch’in was? After hearing the story of Jade Pearl from Mister Shen, I knew something was fishy with Lotus Cloud but the revelation about the Duke of Ch’in totally knocked me in the chin.

And I’m a sucker of happy endings. I like the one in Bridge of Birds particularly because after the actual bridge of birds is forming and Number Ten Ox and Master Li are flying away on the Falcon, you get to read a small vignette about other characters as they fly over them. I thought that was really heartwarming.

If you enjoyed the story, there are two sequels: The Story of the Stone and Eight Skilled Gentlemen. From what I can tell, the second one is out of print and the third one is available (but $19.00 for the paperback). Bridge of Birds tied for best novel at the World Fantasy Awards in 1985. The other winner was Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock. I haven’t read it yet, but I definitely will.

I hope you read (and enjoyed) Bridge of Birds. If you haven't read/finished it yet, you still have this weekend. The discussion will kick off around 8 a.m. [EST] on Monday.