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Title: Across the Nightingale Floor (Hearn, Lian. Tales of the Otori, Bk. 1.) by Lian Hearn, Kevin Gray, Aiko Nakasone ISBN: 1565117115 Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks Pub. Date: 22 August, 2002 Format: Audio CD Volumes: 8 List Price(USD): $36.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.44
Rating: 5
Summary: A great fantasy for any reading fan!!
Comment: If you like books about feudal Japan, this book is for you. It's a fascinating story that follows a young man as he grows up in the clans of Japan. This book has everything you need for a great experience, action, adventure, love, and betrayal.
I picked this book up on a whim and read four pages in and was hooked. It grabs a hold of you and you can't put it down. Not only are the characters great, with all kinds of individual plots, they all contribute to they main plot of the book. The young boy, Takeo, is taken under the protection of Lord Otori, a leader of one of the clans in Japan. Takeo joins Lord Otori after a rival clan kills his parents. From the second Takeo runs into Lord Otori in the woods the action doesn't stop. With all the twists and individual plots the end of this book leaves you wanting more. This book is also a surprisingly easy read, most of the books that I've read that are set in this time are usually hard to follow, but this book is well written and even with all the Japanese terms its easy to follow and a great read.
I highly recommend this book, not only to fans of fantasy, but also to anyone who wants to read a good book. This is one of the best books I've ever read and I am anxiously waiting for the rest of the trilogy.
Rating: 5
Summary: Great Read
Comment: "Across the Nightingale Floor" is an original, intoxicating read. Lian Hearn is a skilled writer that has done enough research on ancient Japanese customs and systems to present an original world that mirrors that of ancient Japan's. Although there is a tiny bit of magic, which never overpowers the novel and its characters, this story reads like a historic adventure with many interesting characters and events. In fact, the customs, people, and story of this novel are very realistic and the author writes as if everything that is being told could have happened. Furthermore, since many things are based on ancient Japan, what's to say that events that are similar to the book's couldn't have happened?
The book is told mostly in the first person by the young boy Takeo, though some chapters are about a different character, Kaede. The story opens up with Takeo's village being sacked and he is an orphan. Takeo is rescued by Lord Otori Shigeru and is taught many things. The Otori are one of the clans of the world that are in this book. Kaede is a young beauty that is being held hostage and is leading a sad life. As the book progresses we learn how Kaede is going to be married with Lord Otori so two houses will be allies, leaving only one for the conqueror Iida to have to fight. Will eveything go as planned? Read the book and you'll see. The novel is a treat to the imagination as it opens up new thoughts in your head.
In this novel Hearn develops mostly rich characters, especially the two main characters, Takeo and Kaede. Each of these characters receive their own chapters to tell about what's going on at certain points. Since Takeo's part of the story is told as a first person narrative we experience more of a likeability for him. Through each of the character's personal feats and/ or defeats the reader will feel more for the character. Other side characters are interesting to read about as well, such as Lord Otori, Kenji, and many of the mysterious servants, such as Shizuka.
One of the great aspects about this novel is the sense of wonder that you will develop. Not everything is told to you so a lot is left for you to think about and decide for yourself. The world that the story takes place in is obviously very similar to Japan, but not many minute details are described. This is one of the downfalls to the book for those readers that enjoy lush, exotic details. Another downside to the book is that some of the chapters can be quite long to readers that enjoy quick little chapters. This didn't bother me, though, as there was a lot going on in each of the chapters.
Lian Hearn's writing is simple to read and flows quickly, making for a very quick read. Despite the flaws of the book this is still a fun and fast paced adventure. For fans of historical fiction, adventure, or a good read will find "Across the Nightingale Floor" a lot of fun. I am eagerly looking forward to Hearn's next novel in the "Tales of the Otori" series.
Happy Reading!
Rating: 5
Summary: Realistic fantasy?
Comment: I'm not sure if there is such a category - but this is the most believable "fantasy" book I've ever read. While waiting patiently for the next Harry Potter installment a friend suggested that I read Across the Nightingale Floor.
Without giving anything away, the hero here has "special abilities" - could someone in real life actually possess these abilities? Probably not. But the way that Hearn describes the abilities and their use is so subtle that they actually seem realistic (compared to Harry Potter casting spells, for example). I was totally drawn in to this story because it is so believable (besides having a compelling and fast-paced story).
Once I got past "hearing the Japanese names correctly" in my head, the book went even faster (I thought "Hermione Granger" was a bit tricky at first, too). The book does include a cool map showing the different regions in the story and who controls them - definitely helpful, but not really necessary to understanding the story.
I've already placed my order here for Book 2 (Grass for His Pillow) coming out in August - I can't wait to see what happens next!
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Title: Cloud of Sparrows by Takashi Matsuoka ISBN: 0385336403 Publisher: Delacorte Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Grass for His Pillow: Tales of the Otori, Book 2 by Lian Hearn ISBN: 1573222518 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Dragon King's Palace: A Novel by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312282664 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Rashomon Gate by I. J. Parker ISBN: 0312287984 Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur Pub. Date: 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria by Laura Joh Rowland ISBN: 0312983786 Publisher: St Martins Mass Market Paper Pub. Date: 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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