Writer Barry Hughart, 85, died August 1, 2019. Hughart was best known for his Master Li series, set in a mythical version of China, beginning with World Fantasy and Mythopoeic Award winner Bridge of Birds (1984) and continuing with The Story of the Stone (1988) and Eight Skilled Gentlemen (1991), all later collected as The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox (1998).

Hughart was born March 13, 1934 in Peoria IL, and went to college at Columbia University, graduating in 1956. He enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1956-60, spending time in the Korean DMZ. From 1960 to 1965 he worked with a military surplus company, and from 1965-70 was manager of the Lenox Hill Book shop in NYC. He eventually settled in Tucson AZ. In addition to novels, he also wrote dialogue for films.

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