Barry Hughart biography

Barry Hughart (1934-2019) was an American author who crafted a singular, albeit brief, legacy in the world of fantasy literature. Born in Peoria, Illinois, Hughart served in the United States Air Force and spent time in the Far East, an experience that deeply informed the setting and atmosphere of his most famous works. He eventually settled in Tucson, Arizona, where he spent much of his life.

He is best known for the "Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox," a trilogy set in an "Ancient China that never was." The first instalment, Bridge of Birds (1984), was a critical triumph, winning the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award. Despite this success, Hughart faced significant challenges with the publishing industry. Struggles over marketing, cover art, and editorial direction left him disillusioned with the business side of writing.

After completing the sequels, The Story of the Stone (1988) and Eight Skilled Gentlemen (1991), Hughart stepped away from the literary world. He never published another novel, famously stating that he had run out of things to say in that particular universe. Today, he is remembered for his wit, intricate plotting, and his ability to blend folklore with absurdist humour.

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