The third book in the Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox seriesWhen a resepcted mandarin is murdered in the heart of the Forbidden City, Master Li and his sidekick, Number Ten Ox, are called in to investigate. Thus begins a Sherlockian adventure that takes Master Li and Number Ten Ox–accompanied by a scarred puppeteer and his shamanka daughter–on a wild chase across China. With murder, … China. With murder, mayhem, and magic aplenty, and Chinese folklore and literary references thrown into the mix, Eight Skilled Gentlemen is a hilarious romp through Ancient China.
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Whenever someone asks me about my all-time favourite books, I invariable whinge about not being able to choose just one. But if I’m pressed further, Barry Hughart’s Bridge of Birds is probably the first book I’ll mention.
This is the third novel of the adventures of Number 10 Ox (the the innocent narrator) and master Li Kao, a rather eccentric octogenarian scholar.
*** What to expect
One of the best historical-fantasy detective/mystery novels out there. In a market populated by dark fantasy and horror detectives, this book stands unique in one important aspects – charm.
*** What I liked
Pretty much everything: the characters (both main and supporting), the setting, the plot twists as they try to ascertain the root cause and possible solutions. I find the novel strikes an excellent balance between the naive Number Ten Ox and the cynical Master Li, between the rational and the fantastical, between China that was and China that could have been.
*** What to be aware of
While each novel is an independent mystery, I still suggest you start with Bridge of Birds for completeness and background.
This isn’t a Chinese epic, rather a Western romantic view of ancient China. Don’t expect to learn real history and culture. As Hughart himself says, it’s a story on “An Ancient China that Never Was.”
I find the sequels just as charming and enticing as Bridge of Birds, but I know some readers who commented that they found them a tad repetitive. Whatever the case, we all agree that it was a damn shame that Hughart’s publishers decided to be dickheads – there were supposed to be more sequels, but due to the publishers’ incompetence differences they never saw the light.
*** Summary
This is a book of inspired (and inspiring) writing. It is an absolute pleasure to read. I keep re-reading it every few years, and every time it’s still just as good.
I suggest you get a copy of Bridge of Birds and start reading now, or save yourself the way and get all three volumes at once.
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Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Fun read
Great book!
Not as good as the first book, but still good.
Barry Hughart is a master and I’d read anything he wrote. He creates such vivid images with his writing that I want to eat the food and visit the locations. Master Li and Number Ten Ox are some of my favorite characters. You won’t be sorry you picked his books.
I love the Bridge of Birds Trilogy by Barry Hughart of which Eight Skilled Gentlemen is the third and final book. All three books follow the adventurers of two unlikely companions, Number Ten Ox and Master Li, solving the strangest mysteries in an ancient China that never was, but should have been. Intricate plots, unique and compelling characters, mystery, wit, and more in a mythological, fantasy world.
Fair…. new many new concepts of the imagined worlds coming too fast, hard to keep up.
One of my favorite authors. Very enjoyable read with great lead characters.
Confusing. Though this is the third in a series, it is the first book I have read by this author. I felt I needed a translator to get through certain parts. That said, the story was interesting and well thought out.
You’ll still be laughing weeks later
Read the trilogy,you will wish there was more
Of the 3 Master Li/No. Ten Ox books, this is both the most Sherlockian and the most fantastical. The first two books are also a must have to any fantasy lover’s library. Adding this third & final entry to the series rounds it off beautifully, albeit quite sorrowfully, as no amount of cajoling will bring Mr. Hughart to write another adventure. We’ll have to just revisit these old, wonderful tales peopled with demons, humans, mythological creatures, and gods- all with their own flaw in their characters. What a boring, stale world it would be without them!
Very Highly Recommend. Up there with Pratchett, Adams, Moore, Wodehouse & Holt for humor, character, & world building.