Grass for His Pillow

Tales of the Otori, Book Two

By: Lian Hearn

Narrated by: Kevin Gray, Aiko Nakasone

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Book II of the internationally best-selling Tales of the Otori trilogy, a sweeping saga set in a mythical, medieval Japan.

In Book I of the Otori trilogy, Across the Nightingale Floor, Lian Hearn created a wholly original, fully-realized fantasy world where great powers clashed and young love dawned against a dazzling and mystical landscape. Nightingale was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, one of Book magazine's best novels of the year, and one of School Library Journal's Best Adult Books for High School Readers.

In this second tale, we return to the story of Takeo (the young orphan taken up by the Otori Lord and now a closely held member of the Tribe) and his beloved Shirakawa Kaede, heir to the Maruyama, who must find a way to unify the domain she has inherited. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured alliances, there is no place for passionate love. Yet Takeo and Kaede, drawing on their unusual talents and hidden strengths, find ways both to nurture their intense personal bond and to honor the best interests of their people.

Like its predecessor, Grass for His Pillow is a transcendent work of storytelling: epic in scope, shimmering with imagination, and graced in equal measure with rapturous writing and exhilarating action.

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

©2003 Lian Hearn (P)2003 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"With quick, direct sentences like brushstrokes on a Japanese scroll, [Hearn] suggests vast and mysterious landscapes full of both menace and wonder." (Publishers Weekly)
"Lian Hearn has created a world I anticipate returning to with pleasure." (The New York Times Book Review)

A great sequel

If you could sum up Grass for His Pillow in three words, what would they be?

A great sequel

What did you like best about this story?

Kaede's strength

Have you listened to any of Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. They are getting better

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The coldness of Fujiwara was shocking. He is like a serial kller in disguise

Any additional comments?

A beautiful sequel

samuri adventure, love story

great writer, compelling story line with lots of interesting characters and suspense, bit of magic thrown in.

Not what I expected

Would you try another book from Lian Hearn and/or Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone ?

This book was not what I expected at all. I am disappointed with this author.

What was most disappointing about Lian Hearn’s story?

Weak plot. Storyline disconnected

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone ?

Good narrator

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed

Grass for His Pillow Review

To get right to the point... Overall, I was very dissappointed in this book. I'm not sure what the point of this second book in the series was, other than providing some mildly interesting filler information to set up book three. This book could have been easily summarized in a short chapter or two at the beginning of the third book. I'll still listen to the third book, though, as the first was such a great story.

went nowhere fast

nothing happened! a lot of internal dialogue. if you have time to waste this is it.

A poor follow-up

The first book in the series was okay, although it was roughly split between being an epic adventure (which I would have liked) and an historical romance (which at least I could have avoided.) This book, however, was neither; the first two-thirds (which was all I finished) was the incessant set-up for a complex story that clearly would not be completed in this book. This should have been about three chapters at the beginning of the substantive story. Good characters, and glimpses of an interesting story, but it needed ruthless editing, which it didn't get.

grass for his pillow

mundane

Wonderful

Engaging characters, great vocals, loved it.

Can't finish it!

I enjoyed book one of this trilogy but this second book is unbearable! Throughout book one the female main character dealt with the patriarchal society in which she lived by using her intellect, her wit and, at times, her physical strength and skill with weapons. Usually she anticipated her opponent's next move. Always she was subversive. I wanted her to win.

Book two however, has a lot of in-your-face male bashing. It's over the top with its preaching.

Sorry but I just can't finish listening to this one.

Booooring

Boring, predictable, shallow story and characters...couldn't finish this one, or part 1 either. These stories will wind up in the "read and please don't bother to return" scrap pile at the library in no time.