Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was“Li Kao may have a slight flaw in his character but the book has none. I recommend it unconditionally and I predict Barry Hughart has quite a future as a fantasy writer.”—Anne McCaffrey When the children of his village were struck with a mysterious illness, Number Ten Ox sought a wiseman to save them. He found master Li Kao, a scholar with a slight flaw in his character. Together they set out to find the Great Root of Power, the only possible cure. The quest led them to a host of truly memorable characters, multiple wonders, incredible adventures—and strange coincidences which were really not coincidences at all. And it involved them in an ancient crime that still perturbed the serenity of Heaven. Simply and charmingly told, this is a wry tale, a sly tale, and a story of wisdom delightfully askew. Once read, its marvels and beauty will not easily fade from the mind. The author claims that this is a novel of an ancient China that never was. But, oh . . . it should have been! |
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abbot Ancestress arms asked August Personage bamboo beautiful began beneath bonzes Boopsie Bridge of Birds Bright Star casket China climbed cried dancing girl death door dragon Dragon's Pillow Duke of Ch'in duke's ears earth emperor Emperor of Heaven eyes face Fainting Maid Fat Fu feathers feet fingers flute gazed ghost ghost shadow ginseng gold grabbed handmaidens hands head heard heart Heaven Henpecked Henpecked Ho howled Jade Pearl jerked Kao's Key Rabbit Ku-fu labyrinth Li Kao lifted looked Lord Lu Lotus Cloud Master Master Li Miser Shen moon Mountain never night Number Ten Ox One-Eyed Wong opened path Pawnbroker Fang pearls and jade peasant Personage of Jade Pretty Ping Princess of Birds reached rock Root of Power screamed sighed soldiers Star Shepherd stared stone swords thing tiger tiger mask tiny turned village wall whispered wife wind wine yelled