Across the Nightingale Floor

Tales of the Otori, Book One

By: Lian Hearn

Narrated by: Kevin Gray, Aiko Nakasone

Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

A tour-de-force novel set in ancient Japan filled with passion, fantasy, and feuding warlords. The first volume in the highly anticipated Tales of the Otori trilogy.

Sixteen-year-old Takeo's village has been massacred by an evil warlord, and he is about to be slain by the men who murdered his parents and neighbors. At the last moment, his life is saved by a nobleman, who claims the boy as his kin and begins his education.

But nothing is as it seems. Takeo discovers that he has rare powers that are useful to those around him. As he grows into manhood, he must decide where his loyalties lie: with his noble master and adoptive father; with the Hidden, a secret, spiritual sect whose beliefs are forbidden; or with the Tribe, the assassins and spies who consider him one of their own.

A story of treachery, political intrigue, and the intensity of first love, set in a world ruled by formal ritual and codes of honor, Across the Nighingale Floor crosses genres, generations, and genders to captivate fans of all ages.

Don't miss the rest of the Tales of the Otori series.

©2002 Lian Hearn (P)2003 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"The novel fills a unique niche that is at once period piece and fantasy novel." (Amazon.com)

Across the Nightingale Floor

Colorful imagery. I didn't want to stop listening!

Engaging Listen

A refreshing story about another culture in an earlier era. The characters come to life with emotion and feeling. Although filled with acts of cruelty and love, it is a beautiful and delightful listen.

Tales of the Otori

This story is wonderful, and Kevin Gray does an excellent job narrating. The only downfall to me, was the female narrator. She reads painfully slow and I found it to be annoying. I would still highly recommend this book!

Gripping!

I didn't even notice the time passing as I listened in my car, and I found myself STAYING in the car because I "couldn't put it down"...!!!

Add to your Must Read list

L. Hearn is a gifted story-teller. All the characters are fully developed - even minor players are drawn with detail to give their personalities a lasting impression. Hearn weaves the complex storyline with skill so that a 3 volume epic tale of war, love and intrigue is easy to follow. All the pieces from the 3 volumes come together like a puzzle. You'll see, hear, smell, and even taste! It is as if you are inside the story watching first hand the events and breathlessly awaiting the next turn of the page. A three volume epic - yet there are no long-winded passages that you generally find in multi-volume stories. Hearn can tell a detailed story and keep it moving at a good pace.

Books II and III are equally well told and are a seamless continuation of the story. You'll want to have all three on hand.

The readers, Kevin Gray and Akio Natasone, deserve special note. They have the ability to bring a multitude of characters alive. They depict the voices of their characters so consistently that the dialogue flows as if filled by a cast of many.

one of my all time favorites

I first read this series back in high school and still come back to it to this day. It's a perfect blend of action, romance, and an intriguing story with many memorable characters. It also does a good job of blending supernatural elements into the story without it feeling like a sifi/fantasy novel.

The story takes place in a fictitious feudal Japan as several powerful clans struggle for dominance with a group of assassins working in the shadows to bend the outcome to their own benefit. These events are presented to us through the eyes of a young boy who is torn between two worlds. The first is his adoptive right as heir to a powerful clan, and the second is a secret organization of assassins who lay claim to him due to his lineage. During his journey he falls in love with a girl of nobal birth. Her story is also told throughout the book as she struggles with her duties to her family and the hardships of being a nobal female in feudal Japan as the male warlords use her to accomplish their own means.

If you are into the feudal Japanese era, samurai, ninja, shogun, ext you will probably enjoy this book. It's an easy listen, and has prequel and sequels novels to keep you occupied for a while.

driveway moments

This book made me late for work so many times. Actually, I got there in time but sat in the parking listening until I found a place where I could force myself out of car. The male narrator is wonderful! I felt his style and delivery pulled me into the story. The female narrator sounded a little forced and wasn't as strong but still good. Glad to see that both of them return for the second book. I've just finished Nightingale Floor and have purchased the second book. I'd love to see a movie made from this title.

Yes!

I just loved this book. Our family travelled half way across Australia and listened to it in the car. Parents and four teenagers. Everyone enjoyed it and we were all completely entranced. I am now going to buy more Lian Hearn books. If you haven't already to and google Lian Hearn...quite surprising. A+++

Good, but a little slow

A very interesting story, but some of the reading was a bit slow, especially the female parts.

Excellent!

This is a great book - well written and well read. Fun, dramatic fantasy - I highly recommend it!