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The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox #3
[ Eight Skilled Gentleman By Hughart, Barry ( Author ) Paperback 1990 ]
[ Eight Skilled Gentleman By ( Author ) Dec-1990 Paperback
Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Barry Hughart
7 books265 followersHughart was educated at Phillips Academy (Andover). He attended Columbia University where he obtained a bachelor's degree in 1956.
Upon his graduation from Columbia, Hughart joined the United States Air Force and served from 1956 to 1960 where he was involved in laying mines in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. During Hughart's military service he began to develop his lifelong interest in China that led him to plan a series set in "an Ancient China that never was." His connection to China continued after his military service, as he worked with TechTop, a military surplus company that was based in Asia, from 1960 to 1965.
From 1965 to 1970 Hughart was the manager of the Lenox Hill Book Shop in New York City.
Hughart lived in Tucson, Arizona until his death in 2019 at the age of 85.
Upon his graduation from Columbia, Hughart joined the United States Air Force and served from 1956 to 1960 where he was involved in laying mines in the Korean Demilitarized Zone. During Hughart's military service he began to develop his lifelong interest in China that led him to plan a series set in "an Ancient China that never was." His connection to China continued after his military service, as he worked with TechTop, a military surplus company that was based in Asia, from 1960 to 1965.
From 1965 to 1970 Hughart was the manager of the Lenox Hill Book Shop in New York City.
Hughart lived in Tucson, Arizona until his death in 2019 at the age of 85.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
September 30, 2015
Take a Shakespeare problem play, steep it in Chinese myth and add a dash of lethal mayhem and you might come close to approximating Eight Skilled Gentleman.
Master Li and Number Ten Ox are attending the public execution of Sixth Degree Hosteler Tu as imperial witnesses, despite Master Li’s well known dislike of formality. When the execution is interrupted by a dying vampire ghoul carrying a half-gnawed head, Master Li realizes there’s something strangely aristocratic about the victim that requires further investigation. They discover the rest of the victim in the Forbidden City, and after consulting with the sainted Celestial Master, are concerned the saint just confessed to the crime. But events turn out far weirder than Master Li suspects, and solving the crime will require investigating smugglers, traveling with a scarred puppeteer and his lovely shaman daughter, and tracking down mystical creatures and myths that are almost three thousand years old.
“One assumes [the artists] were half mad, and they honored their gods by carving deities in death agonies. You’re looking at an unparalleled psychological self-portrait of an exhausted race, teetering upon the edge of extinction, but don’t you see the wonder of our recent experiences? Some of the old gods were sure to survive.”
Almost too complicated to explain yet extremely simple on the surface, Hughart has truly produced a work of art. There is the seemingly straightforward investigation driving the plot, shaded with social commentary along the way (and don’t even kid yourself that Hughart is only talking about ancient Chinese culture). There is side illumination of the history of the Chinese people, and their own myths about the cultural absorption/conflict with indigenous groups. There is outright silliness, particularly with the foodie to end all foodies (literally), Sixth Degree Hosteler Tu, or the time that Master Li impersonates a grave ghoul.
“Somehow or other he got his hands on one of your memoirs!” He swiftly scanned the chicken tracks. “Usual critical comments!” he yelled. “Clotted construction, inept imagery, mangled metaphors, and so on!”
But it’s not only the complexly woven themes. Hughart plays around more than ever with the narrative. In the beginning, Master Li shares letter from a reader accusing Number Ten Ox of purple prose (no self-mocking there). The festive atmosphere of the square is conveyed in groups of shouting (“Sha la jen la!” “Hao! Hao! Hao!”). Poetry is read. The tale of a weak noble is demonstrated, complete with a broom as sword. A play within a play is performed. Prophetic dreams (as well as priapic ones) are experienced. On two occasions, one with the puppeteer and one with Number Ten Ox, we are treating to Master Li as Greek chorus, leaving me giggling out loud (“Good evening” “That’s the Miao-chia”). The narrative is far more complex than either of the other books. Most of the time it works–it turns out it is usually necessary to understand the plot–but sometimes not at well. Quite honestly, that’s about on par with my Shakespeare experiences–the play-within-a-play device generally annoys.
It’s worth noting that there are a couple of gruesome episodes, with poor Ox standing in for the audience with a heartfelt “Gligghh!” While I had my doubts for the author choice to include such scenes, it did put me in mind of the old, old tales–the one where Cinderella’s sisters chopped off their toes to fit into the glass slipper, or the one where Bluebeard has the locked room with bodies.
“Every historian is faced with a chapter in which he cannot win. If he includes the relevant material he will send his readers screaming into the night, and if he doesn’t include it he isn’t writing history.”
The first time I read, I was suffering from Tired, and as the shenanigans built, I had trouble understanding the dizzying changes in direction. When thinking about my review, I started over and re-read the entire book. Like experiencing Shakespeare again and again, each time through allows me to consider some different aspect, whether plot, emotion or lyricism. Overall, worth the time, clotted construction, inept imagery, mangled metaphors and all.
June 24, 2020
"My experience with the old man has taught me to keep my mouth shut when the wrinkles around his eyes squeeze up in tight concentric circles, so I waited until his mind relaxed along with the wrinkles, and then he shook himself and turned toward me." "Ox, have you ever visited the Forbidden City?"
Eight Skilled Gentlemen is the final book of The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox series. I feel it missed the mark somewhat.
Like the previous two books, it has some beautiful imagery and fantastical magic sequences based in an ancient fictional China of Barry Hughart, the author's, own creation. As usual, I liked the interactions between our two heroes. I also liked riding along while Master Li and Ox attempt to solve the murder mystery.
"All we can do now is go down that list of involved mandarins and find the weak link. You may have you break a few of the bastard's bones, my boy, but one way or another he's going to enable us to toss the rest of them in jail," the sage said grimly."
Unlike the rest of the series, the overarching story for this entry felt scattered, so much so, that the ending felt almost tacked on. Which seems like a harsh criticism, except those final scenes were my favorite of the book.
If only it had felt more connected to the rest of the tale...
Like some of the other readers of this series, I noticed some repetition in Hughart's storytelling by the third book. Formulaic can still be brilliant, but I'm not certain this book reached that bar.
There was also Hughart's unfortunate tendency to have his characters launch into song or prose within the story. This should have added to the immersive feeling of the reading experience, but I found myself skimming when I reached those sections. Again, it felt more repetitive this time around than magical.
Adding to my disappointment, Eight Skilled Gentlemen was clearly supposed to be part of a longer series. The final few lines of the book offer no satisfying conclusion for characters whom I have come to love during the 850 pages I spent with them.
The little bit I have researched about the author seems to indicate Hughart had a disagreement with his publisher and then tired of writing it. He passed away in August of last year.
It is incredibly sad because the books are so lovely and Hughart deserved the chance to finish them in a manner he saw fit. I think it's a loss not just for the author's family but for the entire fantasy-reading world.
In conclusion, if you haven't read this series and like fantasy, you must give it a try. Just be aware it is a work of art with an abrupt end.
Eight Skilled Gentlemen is the final book of The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox series. I feel it missed the mark somewhat.
Like the previous two books, it has some beautiful imagery and fantastical magic sequences based in an ancient fictional China of Barry Hughart, the author's, own creation. As usual, I liked the interactions between our two heroes. I also liked riding along while Master Li and Ox attempt to solve the murder mystery.
"All we can do now is go down that list of involved mandarins and find the weak link. You may have you break a few of the bastard's bones, my boy, but one way or another he's going to enable us to toss the rest of them in jail," the sage said grimly."
Unlike the rest of the series, the overarching story for this entry felt scattered, so much so, that the ending felt almost tacked on. Which seems like a harsh criticism, except those final scenes were my favorite of the book.
If only it had felt more connected to the rest of the tale...
Like some of the other readers of this series, I noticed some repetition in Hughart's storytelling by the third book. Formulaic can still be brilliant, but I'm not certain this book reached that bar.
There was also Hughart's unfortunate tendency to have his characters launch into song or prose within the story. This should have added to the immersive feeling of the reading experience, but I found myself skimming when I reached those sections. Again, it felt more repetitive this time around than magical.
Adding to my disappointment, Eight Skilled Gentlemen was clearly supposed to be part of a longer series. The final few lines of the book offer no satisfying conclusion for characters whom I have come to love during the 850 pages I spent with them.
The little bit I have researched about the author seems to indicate Hughart had a disagreement with his publisher and then tired of writing it. He passed away in August of last year.
It is incredibly sad because the books are so lovely and Hughart deserved the chance to finish them in a manner he saw fit. I think it's a loss not just for the author's family but for the entire fantasy-reading world.
In conclusion, if you haven't read this series and like fantasy, you must give it a try. Just be aware it is a work of art with an abrupt end.
April 28, 2023
Re-read 4/1/23: I read this while barreling along a mountain highway post-storm. It kept me from freaking out the way I usually do when being driven by someone else at speeds greater than 60 mph. This time, I really questioned . But it's a minor quibble. For once, the villains break my heart.
Read 9/20/12: Much as I admire this book--hence the five-star rating--it somehow leaves me uncomfortable. Maybe it's that a lot of people die who don't deserve to; maybe it's how often Li Kao and Number Ten Ox are betrayed. Possibly it's just that Master Li and Ox are constantly just seconds too late to prevent their mysterious adversary from collecting yet another artifact that could mean the destruction of the world. In any case, it's another vivid and intriguing story in Ox's histories.
As with Bridge of Birds and The Story of the Stone, the mystery is rooted in Chinese myth. In this case, the titular gentlemen are the Eight Immortals, legendary figures whose power can be transferred to tools that destroy evil. However, Hughart balances these immortals with eight creatures of evil, many of whom share traits with their good opposites. But "good" and "evil" aren't so easily defined, in this case; ultimately, the two octets represent yin and yang, and the yang force has overwhelmed the yin, and that this imbalance is destructive to humanity.
Despite this being a sort of fetch quest, I like Li Kao and Ox's efforts to work out what's going on and retrieve the bad guys' magic items. I also like that although this book, like The Story of the Stone, ends with the evil person being unmasked and punished, in this case the antagonist is sympathetic as well as evil.
I've heard that Barry Hughart quit writing because he didn't think his books were being promoted well by his publisher. If that's true, it's practically a crime. I hope Hughart knows just how well-loved his books are, even twenty-five years after publication, and that his writing made a difference in fantasy literature.
Read 9/20/12: Much as I admire this book--hence the five-star rating--it somehow leaves me uncomfortable. Maybe it's that a lot of people die who don't deserve to; maybe it's how often Li Kao and Number Ten Ox are betrayed. Possibly it's just that Master Li and Ox are constantly just seconds too late to prevent their mysterious adversary from collecting yet another artifact that could mean the destruction of the world. In any case, it's another vivid and intriguing story in Ox's histories.
As with Bridge of Birds and The Story of the Stone, the mystery is rooted in Chinese myth. In this case, the titular gentlemen are the Eight Immortals, legendary figures whose power can be transferred to tools that destroy evil. However, Hughart balances these immortals with eight creatures of evil, many of whom share traits with their good opposites. But "good" and "evil" aren't so easily defined, in this case; ultimately, the two octets represent yin and yang, and the yang force has overwhelmed the yin, and that this imbalance is destructive to humanity.
Despite this being a sort of fetch quest, I like Li Kao and Ox's efforts to work out what's going on and retrieve the bad guys' magic items. I also like that although this book, like The Story of the Stone, ends with the evil person being unmasked and punished, in this case the antagonist is sympathetic as well as evil.
I've heard that Barry Hughart quit writing because he didn't think his books were being promoted well by his publisher. If that's true, it's practically a crime. I hope Hughart knows just how well-loved his books are, even twenty-five years after publication, and that his writing made a difference in fantasy literature.
September 3, 2022
Love that this reads simultaneously like a hard-boiled detective novel and a high fantasy. Love Master Li and Number Ten Ox, the world's best narrator. I cannot for the life of me figure out why these books are out of print, except for Bridge of Birds, and the second one is pretty much impossible to find. They are so delightful, and the characters and stories so memorable! I thought the plot to this one was a bit more scattered and confusing than Bridge of Birds, but still a solid book that I wish got more attention.
October 10, 2015
The third novel of the series, and it is better than the second one. alas, the first novel is still the best. Don't get me wrong, all the novels are hilarious with exotic fictitious Ancient China setting. I just think, the ending of the first novel is still the best, it could made me highly emotional when read the last pages.
OK, back to the third novel, Eight Skilled Gentleman.
The beginning of the novel is actually the most ambitious of the series. The novel started on Capital City with vivid and hilarious narration of the city life. Then the story begins. I won't spoil anything more for the plot. The old recipe from previous novels is still on this novel.
The ending.... it has surprises, but with the old recipe from previous novels, I believe some loyal readers could guess the whodunnit plot. Same good old taste: 4 Star from me.
OK, back to the third novel, Eight Skilled Gentleman.
The beginning of the novel is actually the most ambitious of the series. The novel started on Capital City with vivid and hilarious narration of the city life. Then the story begins. I won't spoil anything more for the plot. The old recipe from previous novels is still on this novel.
The ending.... it has surprises, but with the old recipe from previous novels, I believe some loyal readers could guess the whodunnit plot. Same good old taste: 4 Star from me.
January 22, 2024
Estupendo, como los otros dos. Lleno de jovialidad y fantasía, imaginación fructífera y emoción contenida pero muy hábilmente tallada. Una delicia de los sentidos y del corazón, de la parte que aligera el humor. Muy gozoso, muy recomendable.
February 28, 2023
Retroseptiv war das Buch hier doch schlechter als das zweite, ich hatte das anders in Erinnerung.
Trozdem: viel Schönes drinnen, und es fühlt sich so an wie Fantasy generell sich anfühlen sollte. Ein Hoch auf Nummer 10 den Ochsen und Meister Li.
Trozdem: viel Schönes drinnen, und es fühlt sich so an wie Fantasy generell sich anfühlen sollte. Ein Hoch auf Nummer 10 den Ochsen und Meister Li.
June 29, 2010
Rather than going through the hassle of coming up with a good review for this book, I will just say this: I read Eight Skilled Gentlemen from cover to cover in under 24 hours. If that isn't a glowing enough endorsement for you, then I don't know what will be.
The only reason that I gave this book four stars was that it was comparatively weaker than the first book in the trilogy, Bridge of Birds. If it weren't for that, Eight Skilled Gentlemen would have easily scored perfect marks.
It had everything that makes these books great, mysticism, humor, puns, and most of all, fantastic imagery. On top of all that, I hate to say it, but Sixth Degree Hosteler Tu might be my favorite literary character of all time. I know it is a bit much to ask, but I would do just about anything for a novel that talks about leading up to his arrest and imprisonment.
So yes, this book has it all, and is a good fit with the other books of the trilogy. The only sad point is that there were originally going to be seven books, but now we have to settle for only three. Now that is a disappointment.
The only reason that I gave this book four stars was that it was comparatively weaker than the first book in the trilogy, Bridge of Birds. If it weren't for that, Eight Skilled Gentlemen would have easily scored perfect marks.
It had everything that makes these books great, mysticism, humor, puns, and most of all, fantastic imagery. On top of all that, I hate to say it, but Sixth Degree Hosteler Tu might be my favorite literary character of all time. I know it is a bit much to ask, but I would do just about anything for a novel that talks about leading up to his arrest and imprisonment.
So yes, this book has it all, and is a good fit with the other books of the trilogy. The only sad point is that there were originally going to be seven books, but now we have to settle for only three. Now that is a disappointment.
March 3, 2012
The third and (sadly) final book in Barry Hughart's superb "Bridge of Birds" series, "Eight Skilled Gentlemen" follows the adventures of Master Li and Number Ten Ox as they work on solving a new mystery involving mythical demons, corrupt officials, and a master puppeteer. Who or what is murdering high-ranking mandarins and stealing their prized ancient artifacts? Li and Ox set out to discover the answer and we are taken along for the exciting and humor-filled ride.
I say "sadly" because this rich world -- with it's beguiling characters and lush setting -- easily had the potential for seven or more books, in my opinion. Mr. Hughart, in his 80's at the time of the writing of this review, felt that he was treated poorly by his publishers (according to Wikipedia) and swore off on continuing the series. Truly a great loss for those of us readers who fell in love with his stories of "an ancient China that never was."
I say "sadly" because this rich world -- with it's beguiling characters and lush setting -- easily had the potential for seven or more books, in my opinion. Mr. Hughart, in his 80's at the time of the writing of this review, felt that he was treated poorly by his publishers (according to Wikipedia) and swore off on continuing the series. Truly a great loss for those of us readers who fell in love with his stories of "an ancient China that never was."
August 16, 2021
Otra aventura del maestro Li y Buey Número Diez. Divertida como las anteriores y se lee en un suspiro. Una fantasía diferente, es una pena que no tenga más difusión
December 17, 2021
I do not know why, but this story seemed to be over my head most of the time.
On the whole, I enjoyed the trilogy, but this book was my least favorite.
On the whole, I enjoyed the trilogy, but this book was my least favorite.
August 7, 2024
If someone had told me this had been a fanfiction and not written by Hughart himself I would have believed them. By that I mean Eight Skilled Gentlemen has all the elements you would expect from a book in this series: comical scenes, Master Li being eccentric, Number Ten Ox being rather trustworthy, a seemingly unsolvable mystery, a culprit that is supposed to be unsuspecting, a girl that Number Ten Ox falls in love with and who for some reason kind of returns his affection, very loosely connected events that are meshed together at the end, random tidbits of Chinese mythology etc. but in this iteration they are all executed rather poorly. In the previous books, the jumps between the loosely tied together events at least had some transition in between, but here they jump very erratically, making the story feel like a jumbled mess. The book relies too much on the traits of the series that were already established. For example Number Ten Ox falling in love with the girl that he does in this book feels like it was simply added because that was a recurring plot point, with no development or necessity (okay they make use of it at one point near the end, but it didn't have to be romance that allowed for that to occur). The Chinese mythology immersion just felt kind of out of place, distracting you from the main story. Events are excessively described, bogging down the story, just like how an inexperienced writer would, instead of being clear and concise (I guess my long criticism here reveals my writing inexperience). Finally, the ending was wrapped up messily and the book kind of just goes out with a whimper.
October 5, 2019
The writing here is as charming as in the series' first entry, but the plot seemed a little more ramshackle and the whole just a bit less filled with, well, delight. Or maybe that's my own feelings on knowing that this is the last book Hughart would ever write seeping through. I enjoyed it, but I think if I feel a desire to delve into Number Ten Ox's adventures again, it will be with a reread of the original volume.
February 7, 2021
The first 2/3 felt weirdly slow and then the plot all interlinked together with a crash of cymbals for the end. But Master Li felt less clever than normal and there was a shortage of hilarious grifts. Hard to reach the heights of the first book in a subsequent one; I suppose we should be glad it was managed once!
April 28, 2021
The last book written in this series (The author originally envisioned a seven-book series, but, due to conflicts with his publishers, never continued it) . As with the previous installments, EIGHT SKILLED GENTLEMEN is a fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology and folktales, combined with a detective novel, and leavened with humor and horror in equal amounts. While the story and world are excellent, I'm annoyed that Hughart included two of what are essentially the SAME DAMN PLOT TWISTS that he used in the previous stories. 3.5 stars. Better than the 2nd novel in the series but still not as good as BRIDGE OF BIRDS.
April 14, 2023
Al final del libro, el autor explica que entre los motivos para no continuar la serie está el hecho de que la formula Buey/Li podría convertirse en un repetición, y precisamente esa es la sensación que he tenido con Ocho honorables magos: la de repetición.
February 24, 2024
Though interesting in parts, it was not as enjoyable as the previous ones.
September 11, 2011
Con 'Ocho honorables magos', Barry Hughart dio por finalizada las Crónicas del Maestro Li y Buey Número Diez, de las que forman parte 'Puente de pájaros' y 'La leyenda de la piedra'. Como él mismo comenta en el libro, podría haber seguido y seguido con esta saga de manera automática, como hacen otros escritores, pero no lo creyó oportuno, y lo que es más importante, deseó poner un digno punto final a estas historias porque veía que el proceso empezaba a hacerse repetitivo y tedioso. Así que cortó por lo sano, como el que deja de fumar de repente, como él dice. ¡Qué bien les hubiese ido a otros esta forma de pensar!
Las historias del Maestro Li y Buey Número Diez, transcurren en "una China que nunca fue, pero que debería haber sido", una China alternativa en la que la magia, los prodigios y las leyendas se dan la mano para crear todo un universo propio. En esta entrega, de lectura independiente, todo comienza cuando el Maestro Li y Buey Número Diez acuden a la ejecución de Tu el Hostelero de Sexta Categoría, cuando de repente aparece un gul vampiro y se arma un barullo enorme. Siguiendo la pista de este gul, darán con una cabeza a medio devorar perteneciendo a un importante mandarín que les llevará hasta la Ciudad Prohibida... El misterio está servido.
La novela repite el mismo esquema que las anteriores, se plantea una caso misterioso y peculiar que nuestros dos personajes, a modo de Holmes y Watson, deberán resolver. Sin llegar a las cotas de calidad y excelencia de 'Puente de pájaros', la primera de las crónicas, 'Ocho honorables magos' profundiza en este mundo alternativo, repleto de asesinos, estafadores, deidades sobrenaturales y demonios, todo ello rodeado de ese humor tan característico de Hughart, además de ser un libro magníficamente escrito.
Es una pena haber llegado al final de las historias de estos entrañables personajes, cuyas aventuras son memorables. Sin duda, permanecerán en mi recuerdo para siempre.
Las historias del Maestro Li y Buey Número Diez, transcurren en "una China que nunca fue, pero que debería haber sido", una China alternativa en la que la magia, los prodigios y las leyendas se dan la mano para crear todo un universo propio. En esta entrega, de lectura independiente, todo comienza cuando el Maestro Li y Buey Número Diez acuden a la ejecución de Tu el Hostelero de Sexta Categoría, cuando de repente aparece un gul vampiro y se arma un barullo enorme. Siguiendo la pista de este gul, darán con una cabeza a medio devorar perteneciendo a un importante mandarín que les llevará hasta la Ciudad Prohibida... El misterio está servido.
La novela repite el mismo esquema que las anteriores, se plantea una caso misterioso y peculiar que nuestros dos personajes, a modo de Holmes y Watson, deberán resolver. Sin llegar a las cotas de calidad y excelencia de 'Puente de pájaros', la primera de las crónicas, 'Ocho honorables magos' profundiza en este mundo alternativo, repleto de asesinos, estafadores, deidades sobrenaturales y demonios, todo ello rodeado de ese humor tan característico de Hughart, además de ser un libro magníficamente escrito.
Es una pena haber llegado al final de las historias de estos entrañables personajes, cuyas aventuras son memorables. Sin duda, permanecerán en mi recuerdo para siempre.
February 2, 2013
Not as good as the other two Master Li books, but considering how excellent the first two were, "not as good" still means it's a pretty fun read. We are once again plunged into the usual sort of mythological mystery quest, this time involving eight awful murderous beasts, and of course a great number of strange things happen. I think perhaps it's a little more gruesome and a little less whimsical than the other two, but still interesting and very much recommended. The books are definitely starting to show hints of a formula, and I think in some ways it's good that Hughart only wrote three, because that way the series got to end while it was still wonderful instead of sliding into decay and ruin. (On the other hand, if there were more I would happily read them.)
The one thing I really don't understand, though, are all the throwaway references to a correspondence of literary criticism of Ox's chronicles of their previous adventures, between Master Li and a barbarian by the name of Quintus Flaccus. The famous Quintus Flaccus is Quintus Horatius Flaccus, and in fact everything that Master Li quotes as being a criticism of Ox's writing is from Horace's Ars Poetica, which predates the setting of this story by about 600 years. Huh? Is it a joke? I don't get it. Mostly I am confused.
But other than that: hooray! I am sad that there are no more of these books to read.
The one thing I really don't understand, though, are all the throwaway references to a correspondence of literary criticism of Ox's chronicles of their previous adventures, between Master Li and a barbarian by the name of Quintus Flaccus. The famous Quintus Flaccus is Quintus Horatius Flaccus, and in fact everything that Master Li quotes as being a criticism of Ox's writing is from Horace's Ars Poetica, which predates the setting of this story by about 600 years. Huh? Is it a joke? I don't get it. Mostly I am confused.
But other than that: hooray! I am sad that there are no more of these books to read.
September 13, 2012
Bridge of Birds and The Story of the Stone were two great novels that I remember with fondness. I'd always hoped that Barry Hughart would either write more adventures of Master Li and Number Ten Ox or, at the very least, more books.
Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago with I discovered Eight Skilled Gentlemen at one of my local used bookstores. What a score! I'd had no idea the book was even out there. Lucky me.
Well, while I wouldn't say it is a "bad" book, it was pretty disappointing. The plot felt a bit muddied and ramshackle to me. It never really seemed like a very clear adventure tale. It was more like a collection of loosely related stories and incidents cobbled together into book length.
I did still enjoy Hughart's wit and charm and of course Master Li and Ox were their enjoyable selves, but the story was weak in my opinion. Worst of all was that both villains were easily predicted and the whole [mild spoilers] tea and cages plot seemed not only overly complex, but kind of pointless.
I know I have a habit of writing reviews that seem to focus on the negative, so let me reiterate that I still enjoyed reading Eight Skilled Gentlemen, it's just that in comparison to the first two novels featuring the Master Li and Ox, it was a very disappointed book.
Imagine my surprise a few weeks ago with I discovered Eight Skilled Gentlemen at one of my local used bookstores. What a score! I'd had no idea the book was even out there. Lucky me.
Well, while I wouldn't say it is a "bad" book, it was pretty disappointing. The plot felt a bit muddied and ramshackle to me. It never really seemed like a very clear adventure tale. It was more like a collection of loosely related stories and incidents cobbled together into book length.
I did still enjoy Hughart's wit and charm and of course Master Li and Ox were their enjoyable selves, but the story was weak in my opinion. Worst of all was that both villains were easily predicted and the whole [mild spoilers] tea and cages plot seemed not only overly complex, but kind of pointless.
I know I have a habit of writing reviews that seem to focus on the negative, so let me reiterate that I still enjoyed reading Eight Skilled Gentlemen, it's just that in comparison to the first two novels featuring the Master Li and Ox, it was a very disappointed book.
December 28, 2021
I read recently that Hughart originally planned for the Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox to be at least seven books long, rather than the three that we actually have. Apparently it was difficulties with his publishers (or so he claimed) that made Hughart end the series prematurely.
With this new knowledge, I now wonder what could have become with the books that never were - or rather, if a turnaround in the series was possible. Because honestly, it feels like Eight Skilled Gentlemen (and its predecessor, The Story of the Stone were trying to chase the highs reached in Bridge of Birds with neither one successfully getting there. For me, I think it may be that all the elements that were so fantastically fun and fresh in Bridge of Birds became increasingly repetitive in the latter two books, leading to an unfortunately rapid decline where I frankly found myself a little bored midway through this last title.
Still a fun read overall! But still a bit of a far, formulaic cry from the original in the series.
With this new knowledge, I now wonder what could have become with the books that never were - or rather, if a turnaround in the series was possible. Because honestly, it feels like Eight Skilled Gentlemen (and its predecessor, The Story of the Stone were trying to chase the highs reached in Bridge of Birds with neither one successfully getting there. For me, I think it may be that all the elements that were so fantastically fun and fresh in Bridge of Birds became increasingly repetitive in the latter two books, leading to an unfortunately rapid decline where I frankly found myself a little bored midway through this last title.
Still a fun read overall! But still a bit of a far, formulaic cry from the original in the series.
September 26, 2020
Unnecessarily opaque to the point of little narrative reward (even in the reveal), though Hughart’s fictional China remains an immersive and creative setting. A messy letdown from the previous two, but still unique and colourful enough to engage—just barely.
September 4, 2007
The lead character is a former senior bureaucrat who is a genius with "a slight flaw in my character" - he's a trickster and schemer. And he's very, very good at it.
This book has it all - Chinese history, adventure, romance, bad jokes and puns, wonderfully inventive scams and schemes, and heroes who just don't give up no matter what.
Be warned - there are two other Hughart books set in this world, and they are hard to find. But you will want them. Try abebooks.com; used paperbacks can be had affordably.
I re-read all three of these books every few years, and I've given away several copies as gifts.
This book has it all - Chinese history, adventure, romance, bad jokes and puns, wonderfully inventive scams and schemes, and heroes who just don't give up no matter what.
Be warned - there are two other Hughart books set in this world, and they are hard to find. But you will want them. Try abebooks.com; used paperbacks can be had affordably.
I re-read all three of these books every few years, and I've given away several copies as gifts.
February 10, 2015
While still a pleasure to read, Eight Skilled Gentlemen hews disappointingly close to The Story of the Stone's formula. As with the last book, there's a barrage of digressions, false starts, betrayals, and red herrings. While individual scenes are invariably entertaining--one where Number Ten Ox and Master Li have to dispose of a corpse was stomach-churningly hilarious--I felt they didn't quite come together to form a single cohesive book.
That being said, Master Li and Number Ten Ox have earned a place in my heart as two of my favorite characters, and it seems a great loss that there won't be any more adventures starring them.
That being said, Master Li and Number Ten Ox have earned a place in my heart as two of my favorite characters, and it seems a great loss that there won't be any more adventures starring them.
December 17, 2015
The final entry in Hughart's amazing mythology of an Ancient China that never was, following the adventures of our now-beloved archetypes Master Li (the ancient scholar, wise & irreverent) and Number Ten Ox (the strong peasant, loyal & kind).
Oddly enough it is in this final volume that Hughart gives us a Number Ten Ox who comes closest to being a real person , yet Hughart manages to remain true to the mythological nature of his writing. It is a fine finale to a an absolutely brilliant trilogy; a series of mythic tales from an otherwhere ancient kingdom, full of the impossibilities and magic of humankind.
Oddly enough it is in this final volume that Hughart gives us a Number Ten Ox who comes closest to being a real person , yet Hughart manages to remain true to the mythological nature of his writing. It is a fine finale to a an absolutely brilliant trilogy; a series of mythic tales from an otherwhere ancient kingdom, full of the impossibilities and magic of humankind.
November 28, 2015
3.5*
I love these characters - the brawny Number 10 Ox carrying the brilliant little Master Li on his back - yin and yang, right there. Hughart is incredible. I love his style, his imagination, description - it is actually dazzling, the colours and characters, legends, history, adventure - all woven together. No, not as amazing as Bridge of Birds, but still wonderful. I find the pacing problematic, Hughart's storytelling speeds up in the last half, almost going too fast for words (I know that doesn't make any sense, but it feels that way). But I enjoyed this series immensely and am sorry it's over.
I love these characters - the brawny Number 10 Ox carrying the brilliant little Master Li on his back - yin and yang, right there. Hughart is incredible. I love his style, his imagination, description - it is actually dazzling, the colours and characters, legends, history, adventure - all woven together. No, not as amazing as Bridge of Birds, but still wonderful. I find the pacing problematic, Hughart's storytelling speeds up in the last half, almost going too fast for words (I know that doesn't make any sense, but it feels that way). But I enjoyed this series immensely and am sorry it's over.
February 23, 2009
This is the last book in the "China that never was" series. It is also the weaker. Although the plot has the labyrinthine quality that Hughart handles so well, the characters are flat and the mythic landscape, in my opinion, less rich than what he usually weaves.
The recurring characters are flat and poorly developed, which is not so bad if you have read the previous books, but makes them inscrutable if you start anew. Only at the ending does the author retrieve some of the magic and mythical wonder that made his first book so loved.
The recurring characters are flat and poorly developed, which is not so bad if you have read the previous books, but makes them inscrutable if you start anew. Only at the ending does the author retrieve some of the magic and mythical wonder that made his first book so loved.
August 2, 2021
Again, an exciting and funny ride through "A China that never was", but it felt a little schematic in some places, having the same overall structure as the previous two books. On the other hand, this structure works quite well. As others have remarked before, the ending felt a bit abrupt as Hughart obiously intended to write more books in this series, but it can also be seen as a finale to the series and I chose to see it that way. Still a very lovely and unique book that I enjoyed reading very much.
July 20, 2012
A superb piece of chinoiserie.
Barry Hughart was one of those authors who appears out of nowhere, writes only one or two perfectly formed, utterly unique books, and then vanishes again.
This one is the third, last, and best of Hughart's "Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox." It's a weird, lovely combination of Chinese myth, Holmes & Watson detective work, pulp adventure and arch comedy. Highly recommended.
Barry Hughart was one of those authors who appears out of nowhere, writes only one or two perfectly formed, utterly unique books, and then vanishes again.
This one is the third, last, and best of Hughart's "Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox." It's a weird, lovely combination of Chinese myth, Holmes & Watson detective work, pulp adventure and arch comedy. Highly recommended.
August 22, 2010
The last in the series which makes me very sad. The "ancient China that never was" is a wonderful place and I want Hughart to take us back there again. I have re read all three books in this series numerous times and my enjoyment still hasn't waned. Terrific series.
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