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Title: Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One) by Lian Hearn ISBN: 1-57322-332-8 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38 (89 reviews)
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: 3
Summary: Hmm...
Comment: Basically, this book is a fantasy set in a Japanese-type world, dealing with warring between clans and a mysterious people called 'The Hidden'. It is told through the eyes of Takeo in first-person narration, and also includes chapters in third-person narrative about Kaede, a young girl.
To begin, I have to say I didn't think this book was the sensation that most people seem to. It was better than most of the fantasy books I have read, but then, most of them were pretty bad. The way the book is written is indeed good, fitting the setting of the book and including many interesting images and descriptions. I was fascinated by the idea of a 'nightingale floor.'
But that leads me onto one of my main problems with this book. The whole narrative appeared to be building up to Takeo crossing the nightingale floor, as would be implied by the title. Personally, I love challenges like that, so I was really looking forward to it. But when he finally did, he just ran across it easily and it was hardly even mentioned. I also found the many clans and their rivalries very confusing and couldn't keep them straight, which meant I didn't enjoy the book as much.
But my main problem has to be the characterisation. It wasn't so much flat as it was very hard to identify with the characters. I didn't find Takeo or Kaede's love story moving as I simply didn't identify very much with either of them. Takeo's character could have been explored more deeply through the first-person narrative, while Kaede's felt a bit shallow and she had several very fast changes of mind. The book didn't make me think and seemed to be almost all action and plot, which is fine for some people but I would like to see more depth in the characters and more interesting ideas.
Overall, it's quite a good read but only if you already like fantasy, it won't win anyone over to the genre in my opinion, and certainly isn't up to the standard of someone like Philip Pullman yet.
Rating: 4
Summary: Elegant and to the point
Comment: Just finished the book last night. I liked it a lot. There is a lot to be said for being able to write a coherent story and have strong characters who evolve before you and not spend 600 pages doing it. However, my own personal taste is to immerse myself in the world that I'm reading. I like a lot of detail. This book, by its simple length, couldn't offer that, so if you're looking for world-building, look elsewhere. This is about the characters and only the characters. In some markets, it is being billed as YA. I think that is clearly wrong. It was too gritty with too much violence. The author didn't pull any punches about how gruesome life in feudal Japan or a Japan-like nation would have been for the vast majority of people. Or the flaws of cruelty and brutality that infused the samurai. And of course, the temporary place of women, who lived at the whim of their masters, the men.
All in all, a fine read.
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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: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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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: Brilliance of the Moon (Hearn, Lian. Tales of the Otori, Bk. 3.) by Lian Hearn ISBN: 1573222704 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 07 June, 2004 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: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Rain Fall by Barry Eisler ISBN: 045120915X Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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