A fanciful tale of "an Ancient China that never was," based on old Chinese legends, but definitely turned into something that modern audiences can enjoy. Bridge of Birds follows the bizarre and convoluted adventures of Number Ten Ox and the slightly flawed sage Master Li Kao as they track down the fairy-tale remedy to a strange epidemic that has befallen the children of Ox's village.
Bridge of Birds reminded me very strongly of an Asian "The Princess Bride," in its strongly stylized and alternately romantic and tongue-in-cheek writing. Similarly, it alternates between being very entertaining and slightly tiresome, with its numerous unbelievable coincidences and plot holes. Still, it's great fun, and something that I reread all the time.
This was supposed to be the beginning of a 7-book series, but Gary Hughart apparently stopped writing them after Eight Skilled Gentlemen.