Bridge of Birds
Barry Hughart
271 pages

A fantasy book which does not follow slavishly in the footsteps of Tolkien. Set in a China that never was, this is the first adventure of Number Ten Ox and Li Kao, a wily old sage with just a slight flaw in his character. The plot is faireytale like , the language, wordplay and descriptions are superbe. Highly recommended.

Eight Skilled Gentlemen
Barry Hughart
256 pages

The third and unfortunately last book depicting the adventures of Master Li and Number Ten Ox and just as much fun as Bridge of Birds. It's a pity these books didn't sell enough for Hughart to continue writing them, because I want more.