Bridge of Birds / Barry Hughart

Bridge of Birds

category: fantasy, author:

Barry Hughart

book 1 of Master Li and Number Ten Ox
original copyright 1984,
read in May 2011

Agamedes' opinion: 7 out of 10

Something different...

This is fantasy set in old China. Not in a post-apocalyptic, China now rules the world, reconstructed China. Nor an alternative, these aliens act Chinese China. But the "real" ancient China. The China of legend.

That said, perhaps the legends have been rewritten.

Did you ever watch Monkey? The TV series with the trouble-making monkey god, his companion Pigsie, others whose names escape me and the monk, who acts as Monkey's guide and conscience. Every episode a new adventure, a new villain. And many of the villains turned out to be demons.

Bridge of Birds is a bit like that: Over the top adventures with demonic enemies. Though without Monkey's terrible dubbing, thank goodness!

Monkey was a thoughtless immortal who regularly offended Buddha and Heaven with his antics. As the series progressed, Monkey learned his lessons and -- gradually -- reformed. (Is that correct? Reformed? When Monkey was never originally formed as a nice monkey? Anyway...) Master Li and Number Ten Ox of Bridge of Birds are, right from the beginning, nice people.

Well, Master Li does have "a slight flaw in his character". But he has no hesitation in helping the children from the village of Number Ten Ox. And I like that: two characters who -- without question -- are willing to do everything possible to help the dying children.

They do everything possible -- and plenty that is also impossible.

This book is set in the China of legends.

Myth Busters has tested the story of the Chinese chair which flew under the power of fireworks. Bridge of Birds uses fireworks power to fly, noisily but successfully. For several days, non-stop... If only I could get hold of some of those long-lasting fireworks!

There are labyrinths and monsters and mad Dukes and crazy Empresses. And lovers and hen-pecked husbands and reformed misers... With touches of humour and many likable characters.

Bridge of Birds is unusual. A quick check of Wikipedia shows that the author wanted his Master Li and Number Ten Ox books to be more than "fantasy"... Yes, this book is written in an unusual style. Yes, it makes me think of ancient Chinese legends. But I'm not sure what it could be, other than "fantasy".

I was surprised when I read that it was written in 1984. It has not dated... There is nothing in it that could get any more out-of-date :-)

I enjoyed this book. It took a while to settle into the main story. Once it did, the excursions into myth were less distracting and, often enough, entirely relevant to the main action. Overall, it is a lot of fun with a satisfying ending -- and many satisfying conclusions along the way.

Well worth reading.

..o0o..

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