iris_garden's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
ashleylm's review
5.0
In my top 10 of all time (and I've read a lot of books, so that's saying something). If it helps, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is my favourite all-time TV series. It managed to be funny and suspenseful and touching all at the same time. I had all the feels, to (probably mis-)use the lingo of folk much younger than me. Bridge of Birds did the same for me ... I was caught in the grip of a tense, exciting chase to solve the mystery, while revelling in the delightful adventures that befell our odd couple, and was moved to tears by the end. It's funny, it's surprising, it's pretty darned-near perfect. I pick up other books and say to myself, "sure, I enjoyed it, but it's no Bridge of Birds."
If you like this, read To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis which achieves much the same effect in a completely different setting.
I've re-read this many, many times, so the date is approximately my first read.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
If you like this, read To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis which achieves much the same effect in a completely different setting.
I've re-read this many, many times, so the date is approximately my first read.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
catwithakeyboard's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
libram's review
5.0
This is one of those books that I truly can't do justice to in a review. Maybe I'll come back to review it later because I feel this book will stick with me. The literary equivalent of a breath of fresh air.
jcovey's review
5.0
One of my favorites. The writing occasionally betrays the fact that this was the authors first book, especially in the first third. But the book moves so fast and with such charm that you simply don't have time to dwell on the occasional clumsiness of the prose. The adventure is fast, thrilling, fun, and increasingly inventive but the real pleasure of the book is in the characters. Almost every single character, even the villains, is given surprising depth and humanity. It amazes me how many memorable characters this book can fit into its short length without seeming at all crowded. Simply having these characters would be enough to impress me, but the book manages to give so many of them their own stories full of tragedy and joy and then deliver all of them a beautifully satisfying ending.
The two sequels are equally fun and charming, but neither had the startling emotional resonance of Bridge of Birds.
The two sequels are equally fun and charming, but neither had the startling emotional resonance of Bridge of Birds.
ivalen's review
4.0
Loved it - tongue in cheek humor sprinkled throughout, and a story that ends most pleasingly.
davidscrimshaw's review
5.0
This is a delightful big fantasy novel. It increases my desire to learn Chinese mythology and I'm eager to read further adventures of Master Li and Number Ten Ox.
I love the way that Master Li introduces himself to everyone he meets: "My surname is Li and my personal name is Kao, and there is a slight flaw in my character."
Nobody ever asks him about the slight flaw. I'm afraid that wouldn't be the same if I introduced myself that way.
I love the way that Master Li introduces himself to everyone he meets: "My surname is Li and my personal name is Kao, and there is a slight flaw in my character."
Nobody ever asks him about the slight flaw. I'm afraid that wouldn't be the same if I introduced myself that way.
antitectonic's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
frootjoos's review
5.0
Wowzers. I just looked up [b:The Chronicles of Master Li Number Ten Ox|92581|The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox ( Bridge of Birds, The Story of the Stone & Eight Skilled Gentlemen)|Barry Hughart|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297483625s/92581.jpg|3130402] and there are like, just a few copies available between $25-325 depending on the edition. :/