June read: Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart ~ discussion lead by Shannon

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was by Barry Hughart. Discussion lead by Shannon.

Enjoy everyone!

[Shannon]

I am in the field all this week and then will be able to get my book, so I apologize now for the delay that will occur in starting the discussion but others please feel free to post when you want.

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

This one was not easy to get hold of! Have ordered a second hand copy from Amazon :) looking forward to this one!

[Donna]

Jenny wrote: "This one was not easy to get hold of! Have ordered a second hand copy from Amazon :) looking forward to this one!"

Yes, my library doesn't have it listed at all, maybe because it is an oldish book? Book Depository say they can dispatch in 48 hours though.

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

Hopefully mine will arive in the next few days :)

[Shannon]

Well, we can keep or get the discussion going once we all get our books. I am still in the field but will try to get mine once I am back. and yes, it is a bit older so perhaps that is why its a bit difficult to track down. If your library does not carry it you can always try inter-library loan.

[Cheryl]

I got to page 50 and gave up - I just wasn't finding it engaging enough, sorry. I have made if available through swap. It's a bookcrossed copy, so if anyone is a bookcrosser we can negotiate a trade or something.

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

Aw that's a shame :(

[Shannon]

Too bad Cheryl, it is a bit of a slow start to it, isn't it or else its my cold that is keeping me distracted and unable to focus. I am hoping to get things rolling here soon, please bear with me...

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

My copy has arrived! Huzzah! Just finishing off Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog and then I will make a start. It is a teeny copy I have, with even teenier writing!!

Just to let you know, due to the pending changes with how we select the monthly reads, Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was will remain our read for July! I figured this was probably quite a good idea as we are all slightly delayed in making a start on it.

[Keith711]

Jenny wrote: "My copy has arrived! Huzzah! Just finishing off Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog and then I will make a start. It is a teeny copy I have, with even teenier writing..."

phew!! glad of that - still waiting for mine! I#m told itis winging it;s way to me.

[Maicie]

Cheryl wrote: "I got to page 50 and gave up - I just wasn't finding it engaging enough, sorry. I have made if available through swap. It's a bookcrossed copy, so if anyone is a bookcrosser we can negotiate a tr..."

Cheryl, I'm new to Bookcrossing and would be interested in a trade. I don't have many books listed yet so don't know what you might like. I'll try and find you over at BC tomorrow after I'm caffeine fueled.

[Cheryl]

Maicie, I sent you a PM.

[Shannon]

Glad to hear that we are keeping this one open for a bit. I am about half way (and am happy to say that it gets better after page 30 - sorry you had to give up Cheryl). It has taken me awhile to find the "fantasy" portion of this one.

[Cheryl]

Sorry, I'm just not a fan of epic fantasy in the first place - I will say, I think it's probably pretty intriguing and fun and worthy if you do like that sort of thing :)

[Shannon]

OK, I have now finished the book so I will post some discussion questions.

1) What is "fantasy" and where on the sliding scale of fantasy to you think this one would rest?

2) What is the 'slight flaw' in Master Li's character? Is there only one? Is it an obvious sin (Drinking? Gambling? Lying? Stealing? Murdering?), or something deeper?

3) Humour is used extensively to describe some horrific acts - does this make reading them palatable? Did anyone react adversely to the murders, or even react more strongly because they were so lightly treated?

4) Did you feel that an authentic Chinese feeling was captured? Does it matter? Did the use of traditional Chinese mythology ring true? Or did you feel it was obviously faux-Chinese by a western author?

5) The driving plot thread is supposed to be finding ginseng to save the children - did you feel there was really any danger in the children dying? Did the adventurers seem to be having too much fun, and forgetful of their purpose? Is this intended by the author?

6) In various amazon reviews i've seen the ending described as 'emotional and satisfying', 'too convenient', 'too predictable'. Some of these seem mutually exclusive, so what did you think of the conclusion?

Thanks, hope those that are reading it or planning to, are enjoying...

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

Just started reading this and will keep your questions in mind. Lots of names in the first chapter, found it a little hard to follow!

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

I've only read the first couple of chapters but so far so good :)

[Shannon]

Maicie and Keith, have you been able to get ahold of the book? I am hoping someone else reads it - I am starting to think I am cursed as a moderator. :(

[Keith711]

Shannon wrote: "Maicie and Keith, have you been able to get ahold of the book? I am hoping someone else reads it - I am starting to think I am cursed as a moderator. :("
Hi Shannon, yes got book from Amazon marketplace currently on chapter 14. I am sligtly dyslexic so takes time to digest & comment. enjoying it so far, though some parts a bit "over egged"

will comment further when thoughts are together :)

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

I've not finished it yet but I thought I would add some thoughts.

Answering your first question Shannon:

In my head when I think of fantasy I think of dragons, Lord of the Rings, Terry Pratchett that kind of thing. But I think this book definately falls within the fantasy genre, if not in an obvious way. The whole story is very fantastical (wouldn't happen in real life) and I guess that is what fantasy is. On the other hand I have read a lot of books about China and its culture, and a lot of what is happening in this book, the ghosts for example, they truly believe in. I think it's Peony in Love, where the ghost marriages take place, something that the Chinese genuinely believed in.

I'll give the other questions a go when I finish the book, but at the moment I see no danger of the children actually dying. They really are having far too much fun!!

[Shannon]

Jenny, you really summed up my thoughts on fantasy as well. I have read Dragon Riders of Pern, Earthsea trilogy some Guy Gavriel Kay (all years and years ago)and those to me are fantasy. This book is fantastical but is almost more like Chinese fiction in that ghosts and supernatural seem to be part of the cultural fabric. (Several of Amy Tan's books have a fantastical element to them).

This book makes me wonder what the difference between fantasy and magical realism is.

[Cecily]

Shannon wrote: "This book makes me wonder what the difference between fantasy and magical realism is."

I confess I haven't read (or even obtained) this book, but to me, the difference between fantasy and magical realism is fairly distinct - though others may disagree.

In magical realism, the story, setting and characters are broadly realistic, but there are a few things that that are magical in the broadest sense. A well known example is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.

In fantasy, the whole realm and plot is focused on the weird, wonderful and magical.

Jenny wrote: "when I think of fantasy I think of dragons..."

As I said, I haven't read this book, but being Chinese, the presence of dragons may muddy the waters as to whether it's fantasy or magical realism.

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

Hmmmm I am therefore still unsure as to how I should clasify this. I wouldn't say that it is magical realism as I don't feel that it is realistic at all. When I think of magical realism I think of Like Water for Chocolate and The House of the Spirits.

The whole plot of this book is rather wacky and weird but like Shannon says this book seems much more like historical fiction. However, if you have never read a book about Chinese culture and history then you probably would classify it as fantasy.

[Jenny, honorary mod - inactive]

I have about 20 pages of the book left and I'mreally struggling to finish it :( I'm not sure why. I'm finding my self skim reading it.

[Shannon]

Well, once you have it finished let me know what you think of the ending. Also, curious as to what you think the slight flaw is in Master Li's character.