Fantasy Book Club discussion

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The author has done a very good job of mixing/balancing historical elements with mythology/folklore. He hints at things that make me go out and search for more info to satisfy my curiosity. I'm not sure the following is a spoiler, but I don't want to ruin anyone's enjoyment, so I'll err on the side of caution.

For example; (view spoiler)[the second line of the story: "My surname is Lu and my personal name is Yu, but I am not to be confused with the eminent author of Classic of Tea: Origins and Rituals." Then, of course, I had to go read up on the famous "tea book". And his mention of the poet Ssu-ma Hsiang-ju, which led me to this website: http://biography.yourdictionary.com/s... (hide spoiler)]

And those are just in the first chapter. I wouldn't call this a "page-turner", but it is an interesting storyline, and may very well pick up the pace for me as it goes along.

Number Ten Ox continues narrating the story. I can't imagine a version without him in his current role. In chapter three the topic of (view spoiler)[ginseng "The Great Root of Power" is introduced. Here's a good image of the root. http://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-an... (hide spoiler)]

This is one of those books that is best read in "portions". I found that the series of quests began to run together when I stayed with the book too long. Each quest is interesting on its own and there is enough unique material to deal with, just too much to take in at one time.

I'm starting the original draft to see how the story compares with the published version.

Monica wrote: "This is one of those books that is best read in "portions" ..."
You're right, I suffered a "slow down" at 75% of the book.
I struggled a bit in some points: the hand of hell, the Cavern of Bells, but in the end I liked Bridge of Birds and I gave it 4 stars for the mix of fairytale, adventure and humor.
I, also, found good the mistery angle. Everything is hidden in plain view. (Dupin docet).

Lioth wrote: "...I struggled a bit in some points: the hand of hell, the Cavern of Bells, but in the end I liked Bridge of Birds and I gave it 4 stars for the mix of fairytale, adventure and humor. I, also, found good the mistery angle..."

The Hand of Hell was bizarre! You're right, the mystery does unfold as the book goes along, although it does keep one guessing how the pieces will fit together "in the moment".

As an aside, I've read the first 12 chapters of the original draft, and I really like the story. Many of the things that happened to Number Ten Ox in the final book now happen to Li Kao; and as a 19 year old his experiences fit the character very well. He meets the Ancestress as a young man rather than meeting her again later in life. I wondered how that would all work itself out...but it did. So far I can't see why the author made such radical changes to the final story.

Monica wrote: "Lioth wrote: "...I struggled a bit in some points: the hand of hell, the Cavern of Bells, but in the end I liked Bridge of Birds and I gave it 4 stars for the mix of fairytale, adventure and humor...."

I finished and really want to read the original draft but just don't know when I'll have the time. Anyway. Loved this story. Loved the way the silly/subtle humour was mix in. Gave it a 4 star but it deserved a 4.5.

I finished this book yesterday, and, although I was not very fond of it, I must say that it was a nice and anjoyable reading. I suspect that its just me that doesn't seem to go along with stories with such a pace. The story unfolds in a way that I don't get along with. I like better a book with a much slower pace, where the characters are smoothly described, maybe a bit more on the political and mithological underground of the story. I feel like I really couldn't get to know the characters a bit.
The underlying magic is completely hidden in this story, it seems to be something that is just for a few, with this hermit man of the mountain who sels out his magic to anyone with enough money. And that is all you will get with it.
So I gave it 3 stars...

What took me by surprise was the humour! My friend had indeed told me that it is funny but I never thought I would enjoy the writing to such an extent!

A story with a trickster and no humor would fall flat indeed

Monica wrote: "I'm starting the original draft to see how the story compares with the published version."

I believe I'm going to read the original draft sometime in the next couple of months. I really want to see the difference.