Eight Skilled Gentlemen [Paperback]

Barry Hughart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1990

In the heart of the Forbidden City, Master Li and Number Ten Ox, accompanied by a scarred puppeteer and his shamanka daughter, investigate the murder of respected mandarins. By the author of Bridge of Birds. Reprint. PW. AB.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hughart's ( Bridge of Birds ) third novel is another gem, continuing the adventures of the aging sage Master Li and his youthful sidekick, Number Ten Ox, a delightful pair of ancient Chinese sleuths. When a respected mandarin is murdered by a ch'ih-mei , a vampire ghoul, in broad daylight, the Celestial Master, the most revered Taoist priest in the realm, gives his old friend Master Li the case. The Celestial Master himself, however, seems to be the main suspect after he reports the murder, which he claims was committed with a ball of fire by a man who was then transformed into a crane. Thus commences a wild adventure that takes Master Li and Number Ten Ox from the Forbidden City through backwoods villages and bandit-infested countryside to the sinister palace of Yen-men. There are ghosts, wizards, dog-brides, monsters, puppeteers, female shamans, magic birdcages and, of course, the Eight Skilled Gentlemen, mysterious hooded figures from the dawn of Chinese history who are in league with eight particularly nasty demon-deities. Superbly written and narrated in the humorously observant voice of Number Ten Ox, this is a book not to be missed.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- That honorable and learned scholar, Master Li, is back, along with his right-hand guy, Number Ten Ox; and the two of them are once again investigating the ineffable mysteries of ancient China. No amount of description can possibly capture the resolutely calm hilarity of this mad careen through Chinese mythology disguised as a detective story. Suffice it to say that Master Li has chosen to become involved in a mysterious incident of mass hypnosis, which has resulted in the reported appearance of a vampire ghoul. The rest of the plot proceeds at a breakneck pace, with breathing room provided by Number Ten Ox's outrageous commentary on the not-so-picturesque aspects of life in ancient China and Master Li's alternately philosophic and bold-faced pronouncements. This is a mystery story for those who don't read mysteries, a fantasy novel for people who don't read fantasy, and a good time for anyone. Expect requests for Hughart's other Master Li books if you purchase this one. --Cathy Chauvette, Fairfax County Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Foundation/Doubleday; First Edition edition (December 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385417101
• ISBN-13: 978-0385417105
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Found an interview of Mr. Hughart on the web..., May 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Eight Skilled Gentlemen (Hardcover)

The following interview with Barry Hughart was conducted via mail during January-February, 2000. --J. Kuntz

JK: All fans of the Master Li books want to know why the series stopped after Eight Skilled Gentlemen. Can you explain?

BH: The Master Li books were a tightrope act and hard to write, but not, alas, very remunerative. Still, I would have continued as originally planned if I'd had a supportive publisher: seven novels ending with my heroes' deaths in the battle with the Great White Serpent, and their elevation to the Great River of Stars as minor deities guaranteed to cause the August Personage of Jade almost as much trouble as the Stone Monkey. Unfortunately I had St. Martins, which didn't even bother to send a postcard when I won the World Fantasy Award; Ballantine, which was dandy until my powerhouse editor dropped dead and her successors forgot my existence; and Doubleday, which released The Story of the Stone three months before the pub date, guaranteeing that not one copy would still be on the shelves when reviews came out, published the hardcover and the paperback of Eight Skilled Gentlemen simultaneously, and then informed me they would bring out further volumes in paperback only, meriting, of course, a considerably reduced advance.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only there were more, May 5, 2003

By 

J. Chang (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eight Skilled Gentlemen (Paperback)

This is the last book released by Mr. Hughart. It was supposed to be the third in a series of seven, but due to compensation differences, he elected not to continue writing. It's a darn shame because his novels of a China that never was are truly wonderful. The third adventure of Master Li and Number Ten Ox involves murder, mayhem, and magic aplenty, with lots of Chinese literary references thrown in. Almost makes you believe you're reading history. This story is not quite up to the same standards as his first two, but it's a matter of interpretation. I love his work and I really wish he'd start writing again.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious tale in the China that never was!, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Eight Skilled Gentlemen (Paperback)

I love all three Master Li and Number Ten Ox novels, but Eight Skilled Gentlemen is my personal favorite. This book is one to savor, from the hilarious opening chapter at a public execution to the thrilling race between the dragonboats. I join the thousands of Barry Hughart fans in *imploring* him to please publish another Master Li novel!