Harsh Cry of the Heron

The Last Tale of the Otori

De: Lian Hearn

Narrado por: Julia Fletcher, Henri Lubatti

An epic fantasy set in a mythical, medieval Japan, Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series has crossed genres, generations, and genders. Grand and complex in its themes, elegantly written, each book in the original trilogy has become a worldwide best seller. This surprise fourth installment (and real conclusion), The Harsh Cry of the Heron, achieves new heights of drama and action.

16 years of peace and prosperity have passed since Lord Otori Takeo united the Three Countries. Takeo and his beloved consort, Kaede, have three daughters and a happy family life. Their success has attracted the attention of the distant Emperor and his general, the warlord Saga Hideki, who covet the wealth of the Countries. Meanwhile, the violent acts and betrayals of the past will not lie buried, and other secrets will not stay hidden. Everything that Takeo and Kaede have achieved is threatened.

In full ninja versus samurai fashion, Hearn delivers a kinetic, heartbreaking, and uplifting resolution to a thoroughly gripping saga.

Don't miss the rest of the Tales of the Otori series.©2006 Lian Hearn (P)2006 HighBridge Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Seizes you from start to finish." (The Washington Post)
"Hearn seamlessly fuses fact and fantasy to create a sprawling, bewitching realm of magic." (Publishers Weekly)
"The Otori saga gets better with each book, and this is the most absorbing entry in the series, complete with intrigue, magic, romance, and action. A perfect final chapter." (Booklist)

Beautiful language, setting, plot, characters

This is a fantastic book - amazing sense of time and place. It's obvious that the author cares about her language, and the writing is highly sensory and full of atmosphere. The plot is engaging and the characters interesting and fully-realized. I highly recommend this book.

Story continues to be great; narration diminished

If you could sum up Harsh Cry of the Heron in three words, what would they be?

I continue to enjoy the Tales of the Otori and really enjoyed the 4th book. However, the narration was disappointing. The pronunciation of the Japanese words and names are unsatisfactory, and the male narration is soft, gentle, and without impact. I will the earlier narrators could have been used. The story, however, continues to be fascinating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harsh Cry of the Heron?

The challange with Lord Saga

Would you be willing to try another one of Julia Fletcher and Henri Lubatti ’s performances?

no

Sad

I have enjoyed the series so much. The story was a real letdown. The female characters or not believable. Like the previous readers much better also.

Why have Western narrators for a Japanese story?

I love this author Liam Hearn, her books are vivid and for someone who has traveled to Japan extensively and have dear friends who are Japanese, her stories take me back to a time when Japan was even more magical than it is now. It bewilders me why Audible would hire Western narrators for a Japanese story. When globally we have great Japanese actors who are bilingual and would not sound like a Western person trying to sound Japanese with that annoying Western affectation. Without discounting the talent of these narrators, we live in a time when "authenticity " is so important.

As a native Hawaiian, it is akin to how Audible also has Western or none Native Hawaiian speakers narrating our stories (i.e.Hawaiʻiʻs Story By Hawaiʻiʻs Queen, author HRH Queen Liliʻuokalani, narrated by an Asian woman). I could appreciate it if there were no available Ethnic narrators or storytellers, but to seemingly not even seek a native speaker, many of which are multi-lingual of no matter what ethnicity to share a story about their people, culture, and history is unacceptable!

Captivating

Insanely interesting and captivating. My favorite book in the series. Sequels are usually anticlimactic, but this one was better than the main books