Master Li and Number Ten Ox

If you've never read the adventures of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, chronicled in the fantasy novels Bridge of Birds, The Story of the Stone, and Eight Skilled Gentlemen, you've missed one of my favorite series of books in all of fantasy. They take place in "a China that never was," and Barry Hughart was inspired to write them when he discovered that some gods and goddesses of ancient China actually were born in stories.


Subterranean Press has released a new compilation of the three books, The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox. There's also a previous collection done by Dreamhaven Press/Bookstore, as well as the individual novels. In the course of their journeys, I laughed out loud a lot, and I wept. I was too young when I found Bridge of Birds, and it just didn't pull me in, so I set it aside. A relative picked it up, loved it and encouraged me to give it another try. I am so glad I did.

I think you'll find it worth a try, too.

Yes, of course there will be ebook editions. I think the Kindle is already available. (It is, but to get the third book, you need to buy the compilation. Only the first two are available on Kindle separately.) A Nook version is coming, too.