Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
[Sydney?]: Hodder, [2002?] xviii, 361 p. : ill., maps ; 20 cm.
Description
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 Nightingale Floor crosses genres, generations, and genders to captivate fans of all ages.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: Tomasu never thought he was anything more than boy living with his mother and stepfather in a small mountain village. When a fierce warlord on a campaign of religious persecution attacks Tomasu's village and kills everyone in it, he barely escapes with his life. He is found and protected
Review: This book is fantasy in the same way that Guy Gavriel Kay's books are fantasy: they're set in countries that don't actually exist, and the events within them didn't actually take place, but they're clearly based on actual historical places and cultures. Across the Nightingale Floor is indistinguishable from feudal Japan, except for the names being changed. While I understand that this conceit gives the author more freedom to play around with their story without having to stick to actual history, I think that the "fantasy" label might deter some historical fiction fans who would otherwise really enjoy it, and might confuse some fantasy fans who can't figure out where the fantastical comes in. Because there's very little fantasy in this book, and not even much that I'd call magical realism. If you can accept the fact that there are ninjas with some magical seeming powers (very acute hearing, the ability to appear to be two places at once), then it is otherwise straight-up historical fiction.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who's a serious Japanophile, and I think it showed in our relative enjoyment of the book. While I'm certainly not opposed to reading about Japan and Japanese culture, neither do I have any particular draw towards it, so while the worldbuilding was effectively done, it just didn't have the same level of inherent interest for me that it might for some. I felt the same about the characters and the story: both of them were well done, both interesting enough to keep me reading, but neither was enough to really wow me. The writing was lovely, and very good at conveying the seriousness of the drama without getting overblown, but plot itself never really surprised me, at least not until the very end... and then it wasn't a particularly satisfying surprise. It did intrigue me enough to make me want to check out the sequels, since quite a bit was left unresolved; hopefully I'll find something in the next book to really get excited about. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: In the epic cosmic battle of pirates vs. ninjas, my preference has always been with the boys on boats. Teens and adults of both sexes who put their money on the ninjas instead will probably enjoy this book as well.
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in the forest by Lord Otori Shigeru, who changes Tomasu's name to Takeo and takes him in as a ward. Takeo has sworn vengeance on the man who killed his family, and the Otori have their own score to settle with the men of the Tohan clan. As Takeo travels with Lord Otori, he learns that he is no mere village boy; instead, he is a member of the Tribe, a group of spies and assassins with preternatural powers. Takeo is being pulled in all directions by his unique heritage: raised in a pacifist religious sect, trained by a warrior, and by blood a gifted and deadly assassin. However, when an arranged wedding for Lord Otori allows Takeo the opportunity to get close to the lord of the Tohan, he will need all three parts of his nature if justice is to be done.Review: This book is fantasy in the same way that Guy Gavriel Kay's books are fantasy: they're set in countries that don't actually exist, and the events within them didn't actually take place, but they're clearly based on actual historical places and cultures. Across the Nightingale Floor is indistinguishable from feudal Japan, except for the names being changed. While I understand that this conceit gives the author more freedom to play around with their story without having to stick to actual history, I think that the "fantasy" label might deter some historical fiction fans who would otherwise really enjoy it, and might confuse some fantasy fans who can't figure out where the fantastical comes in. Because there's very little fantasy in this book, and not even much that I'd call magical realism. If you can accept the fact that there are ninjas with some magical seeming powers (very acute hearing, the ability to appear to be two places at once), then it is otherwise straight-up historical fiction.
This book was recommended to me by a friend who's a serious Japanophile, and I think it showed in our relative enjoyment of the book. While I'm certainly not opposed to reading about Japan and Japanese culture, neither do I have any particular draw towards it, so while the worldbuilding was effectively done, it just didn't have the same level of inherent interest for me that it might for some. I felt the same about the characters and the story: both of them were well done, both interesting enough to keep me reading, but neither was enough to really wow me. The writing was lovely, and very good at conveying the seriousness of the drama without getting overblown, but plot itself never really surprised me, at least not until the very end... and then it wasn't a particularly satisfying surprise. It did intrigue me enough to make me want to check out the sequels, since quite a bit was left unresolved; hopefully I'll find something in the next book to really get excited about. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: In the epic cosmic battle of pirates vs. ninjas, my preference has always been with the boys on boats. Teens and adults of both sexes who put their money on the ninjas instead will probably enjoy this book as well.
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LibraryThing member Stewartry
I don't usually read others' reviews before writing my own; I don't want to be influenced. With this book, though, I was having trouble putting my thoughts in order. A look through Goodreads shows a wide variety of reactions, with very strongly held and expressed opinions on both ends of the
The narration took a little getting used to. A stretch of the first several chapters is first person POV Tomasu/Takeo, read by Kevin Gray in a dry, light voice. What called for adjustments for me was the faint trace of an accent he used (or which he has); there was some part of me that was not quite convinced by it. This part of me became a bit bigger when a few chapters in the point of view switched to the third person to tell of Lady Shirakawa, Kaede, as narrated by Aiko Nakasone – whose name, however, certainly seems to support the accent; part of my resistance there might simply have been that I didn't want a change of voice. I did get used to it, and was very much enjoying both narrators by the end. Kevin Gray's reading of emotional moments was moving, and I loved the characters he gave voice to.
As for the book… A major, major drawback was the not-infrequent use of foreshadowing. One major character, a favorite of mine, was basically dispensed with a bit more than halfway through the book with a casual line about an omen of a grim future. (Exact quotes are difficult with audiobooks…I have enough trouble keeping my place.) I'm not happy about this. Maybe it's a good thing to be able to read something like that and know to start detaching myself from a character I've liked – but, really? I hate foreshadowing. The character was all but dead (dead man walking) long before the killing, and part of the story would have been much more gripping if I had had no idea whether things would work out or not. Then there was another character's "sudden but inevitable betrayal" – it was built up to, and telegraphed, and I think would have been far more effective as a shock.
In reviews, one of the divisive factors of this book is the use of culture. It's almost, but not quite, feudal Japan; it resembles feudal Japan. It isn't feudal Japan. (Which does make it odd that, among other things, an actual historical figure, the artist Sesshu, is referenced…) There are plenty of people out there who fancy themselves experts on the period who are jumping up and down in their reviews, the book made them so angry. (As well as people who are put out because the author is not Japanese…) I know next to nothing, so I'm untroubled – except by small, random things like words which in my experience belong to other countries entirely. "Palanquin", used frequently, is one which irked me every time it was said: to me, the word brings up images of India and elephants, and does not fit. There were others, but, again, audiobooks and exact quotes. I do wonder, though, where the line was drawn between historical novel and pure fantasy, and why. Hagi is a real place. Sesshu was a real person. But so much else was changed, names and histories; it's curious.
There is a strong undercurrent of brutality throughout the story, so despite the stated youth of the two main characters this doesn't work, I don't think, as a young adult novel – at least, it's not my idea of YA. I was surprised to see people refer to Nightingale Floor as such. The two main characters are very young, but there is no real "coming of age" story here; they have been forced into life as adults from the moment we meet them. Takeo is plucked from the life he has lived since birth and dropped into another, takes to it well, and there you are. Kaede has more of an arc, but her story could almost be that of any highborn female in any patriarchal culture; she could have been 25 rather than 15 and little would have changed, except for family worries that she was an old maid. Both of them could have been any age, and the story would have still worked. In fact, Takeo generally presents as much older, particularly with the level of skill he shows in just about everything – I kept forgetting he was supposed to be just 16. That is actually another drawback in the book: Takeo is just so incredibly good at nearly everything. There is very little learning curve for him once he discovers his skills – drawing, the tribal skills, even riding and writing once it clicks with him – everything but the sword, I think, and even with that it seems like his plateau is reached quickly. He is 16, and has never trained in art or martial skills before, but he is abruptly a master at most of what he attempts. Not good.
The romance is something else that is both loved and hated in reviews, and something else that is not quite what it could be. It begins with something like love at first sight, and I wish more had been done with that. The element of magic is so strong throughout the story that it would have made sense to bring it in here, as I expected, but it turns out to be just another case of L@FS. It seemed fairly obvious before the two ever met that they would, and that there would be romance: the two characters featured in the narration, of an age, and set to converge? Done deal.
There were parts of it I really liked. There were a couple of parts I hated. I probably will read (or listen to) at least the next book, just to find out what happens next, but I'm in no rush.
Rather more, with spoilers, is on my blog.
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spectrum. (One single star review begins "This book is nothing other than a flight-of-fancy on the part of the author." Well… yes. Aren't all novels?) (Interesting: opinion seems to slant more positive on Amazon. I wonder if there's truth to what I read about the site deleting negative reviews…) My opinion is positive, though not rabidly so. I do wonder how I would feel about the book if I'd held it in my hands – but I listened to an audiobook, and this is what came of it. The narration took a little getting used to. A stretch of the first several chapters is first person POV Tomasu/Takeo, read by Kevin Gray in a dry, light voice. What called for adjustments for me was the faint trace of an accent he used (or which he has); there was some part of me that was not quite convinced by it. This part of me became a bit bigger when a few chapters in the point of view switched to the third person to tell of Lady Shirakawa, Kaede, as narrated by Aiko Nakasone – whose name, however, certainly seems to support the accent; part of my resistance there might simply have been that I didn't want a change of voice. I did get used to it, and was very much enjoying both narrators by the end. Kevin Gray's reading of emotional moments was moving, and I loved the characters he gave voice to.
As for the book… A major, major drawback was the not-infrequent use of foreshadowing. One major character, a favorite of mine, was basically dispensed with a bit more than halfway through the book with a casual line about an omen of a grim future. (Exact quotes are difficult with audiobooks…I have enough trouble keeping my place.) I'm not happy about this. Maybe it's a good thing to be able to read something like that and know to start detaching myself from a character I've liked – but, really? I hate foreshadowing. The character was all but dead (dead man walking) long before the killing, and part of the story would have been much more gripping if I had had no idea whether things would work out or not. Then there was another character's "sudden but inevitable betrayal" – it was built up to, and telegraphed, and I think would have been far more effective as a shock.
In reviews, one of the divisive factors of this book is the use of culture. It's almost, but not quite, feudal Japan; it resembles feudal Japan. It isn't feudal Japan. (Which does make it odd that, among other things, an actual historical figure, the artist Sesshu, is referenced…) There are plenty of people out there who fancy themselves experts on the period who are jumping up and down in their reviews, the book made them so angry. (As well as people who are put out because the author is not Japanese…) I know next to nothing, so I'm untroubled – except by small, random things like words which in my experience belong to other countries entirely. "Palanquin", used frequently, is one which irked me every time it was said: to me, the word brings up images of India and elephants, and does not fit. There were others, but, again, audiobooks and exact quotes. I do wonder, though, where the line was drawn between historical novel and pure fantasy, and why. Hagi is a real place. Sesshu was a real person. But so much else was changed, names and histories; it's curious.
There is a strong undercurrent of brutality throughout the story, so despite the stated youth of the two main characters this doesn't work, I don't think, as a young adult novel – at least, it's not my idea of YA. I was surprised to see people refer to Nightingale Floor as such. The two main characters are very young, but there is no real "coming of age" story here; they have been forced into life as adults from the moment we meet them. Takeo is plucked from the life he has lived since birth and dropped into another, takes to it well, and there you are. Kaede has more of an arc, but her story could almost be that of any highborn female in any patriarchal culture; she could have been 25 rather than 15 and little would have changed, except for family worries that she was an old maid. Both of them could have been any age, and the story would have still worked. In fact, Takeo generally presents as much older, particularly with the level of skill he shows in just about everything – I kept forgetting he was supposed to be just 16. That is actually another drawback in the book: Takeo is just so incredibly good at nearly everything. There is very little learning curve for him once he discovers his skills – drawing, the tribal skills, even riding and writing once it clicks with him – everything but the sword, I think, and even with that it seems like his plateau is reached quickly. He is 16, and has never trained in art or martial skills before, but he is abruptly a master at most of what he attempts. Not good.
The romance is something else that is both loved and hated in reviews, and something else that is not quite what it could be. It begins with something like love at first sight, and I wish more had been done with that. The element of magic is so strong throughout the story that it would have made sense to bring it in here, as I expected, but it turns out to be just another case of L@FS. It seemed fairly obvious before the two ever met that they would, and that there would be romance: the two characters featured in the narration, of an age, and set to converge? Done deal.
There were parts of it I really liked. There were a couple of parts I hated. I probably will read (or listen to) at least the next book, just to find out what happens next, but I'm in no rush.
Rather more, with spoilers, is on my blog.
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LibraryThing member littlebookworm
When a little boy’s family is murdered in a horrible raid, an Otori lord saves his life and gives him a new name, Takeo. For Takeo’s family was of the Hidden, a tribe which has been persecuted throughout their country, and Shigeru knows that Takeo’s identity will get him killed. As the story
This YA fantasy was a total change of pace. It’s set in a fictional feudal Japan, a beautiful setting that evokes a much different feel than most fantasy set in fiction medieval Europe. It helps that the writing is beautiful; I would quote but unfortunately I had to return the book to the library, so you’ll have to take my word for it. The words of love spoken between the characters, especially Shigeru and his love, were heartbreaking and touching. Even the title, Across the Nightingale Floor, refers to a floor that most of us would refer to as just creaky, designed to alert the occupant to intruders. This is the real name for these floors, but it is still far more beautiful than using just plain English. The book has not only ninjas and samurais and swords, but a feel of history and scope that I loved. Since Kaede and Takeo are from different locations and both travel, we get a feel for this world that is quite breathtaking.
As far as characters are concerned, I liked these, although I do feel we could have gotten to know them a little better. They all have a massive sense of honor and it was fascinating to see how their personal thoughts played out against their real world actions. This is such a polite world even as many of the characters sneak behind each other’s backs and murder one another. If one’s honor is impugned, he or she decides to die. It’s a foreign world view but extremely well played; it doesn’t feel melodramatic, it fits. The special magical skills that Takeo had fit, too, especially given that he’s a scion of a special tribe with many of these skills themselves.
Across the Nightingale Floor was a wonderful read. It’s a different kind of fantasy than I normally prefer but I loved it. I could have done with feeling a bit more emotion towards the characters, but I’m hoping that will come as I continue the series.
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unfolds, Takeo realizes that he has somewhat extraordinary skills; he can hear unnaturally well, be in two places at once, and even draw better than a normal person. He is a born assassin and he is determined to wreak revenge on the man who killed his family. Meanwhile, Kaede is a helpless prisoner, forced into a marriage agreement with Shigeru after years of deprivation and unhappiness. Her marriage offers hope until Kaede realizes just what she’s getting into.This YA fantasy was a total change of pace. It’s set in a fictional feudal Japan, a beautiful setting that evokes a much different feel than most fantasy set in fiction medieval Europe. It helps that the writing is beautiful; I would quote but unfortunately I had to return the book to the library, so you’ll have to take my word for it. The words of love spoken between the characters, especially Shigeru and his love, were heartbreaking and touching. Even the title, Across the Nightingale Floor, refers to a floor that most of us would refer to as just creaky, designed to alert the occupant to intruders. This is the real name for these floors, but it is still far more beautiful than using just plain English. The book has not only ninjas and samurais and swords, but a feel of history and scope that I loved. Since Kaede and Takeo are from different locations and both travel, we get a feel for this world that is quite breathtaking.
As far as characters are concerned, I liked these, although I do feel we could have gotten to know them a little better. They all have a massive sense of honor and it was fascinating to see how their personal thoughts played out against their real world actions. This is such a polite world even as many of the characters sneak behind each other’s backs and murder one another. If one’s honor is impugned, he or she decides to die. It’s a foreign world view but extremely well played; it doesn’t feel melodramatic, it fits. The special magical skills that Takeo had fit, too, especially given that he’s a scion of a special tribe with many of these skills themselves.
Across the Nightingale Floor was a wonderful read. It’s a different kind of fantasy than I normally prefer but I loved it. I could have done with feeling a bit more emotion towards the characters, but I’m hoping that will come as I continue the series.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
I so wanted to like this series a lot after reading this book. Unfortunately, all I can say is that it's OK. And then, I can only say that as far as Book 3, as I haven't gone on with it.
This wasn't a bad start to the series. I enjoyed the feudal-Japan-in-all-but-name setting; I found the characters
When the second installment, Grass for His Pillow came out, I was pleased with it. As explanations came forth, I found myself immersed more and more in the plot. I liked the direction the story was going. The singular skills/magic of The Tribe seemed a trifle out of place in a world where there was no other hint of the extra-normal, but it wasn't particularly jarring. A good second book, superior to the first.
The third installment, Brilliance of the Moon, brought it all tumbling down for me. The characters were no longer the same people from the first two books. They had gone from sympathetic to people I just wanted to tell, "Shut up!" The pacing of the plot fell apart, losing the previous even flow in a rush toward and ending. And the ending!...the word 'coincidences' nowhere near conveys things; we must use deus ex machina.
The afterword indicates that the trilogy may become a quartology. If I find the fourth in a used paperback and I'm out of reading material, I may finish it. Otherwise, no.
This wasn't a bad start to the series. I enjoyed the feudal-Japan-in-all-but-name setting; I found the characters
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both well-limned and sympathetic; there was the potential for a great plot arc reminiscent, perhaps, of Shōgun. I did feel that the political situation was a little muddled—I think the book would have benefited from a prologue to decribe the general situation or, at least, a bit more explanation of how/what/when/where/why, but this didn't detract unduly.When the second installment, Grass for His Pillow came out, I was pleased with it. As explanations came forth, I found myself immersed more and more in the plot. I liked the direction the story was going. The singular skills/magic of The Tribe seemed a trifle out of place in a world where there was no other hint of the extra-normal, but it wasn't particularly jarring. A good second book, superior to the first.
The third installment, Brilliance of the Moon, brought it all tumbling down for me. The characters were no longer the same people from the first two books. They had gone from sympathetic to people I just wanted to tell, "Shut up!" The pacing of the plot fell apart, losing the previous even flow in a rush toward and ending. And the ending!...the word 'coincidences' nowhere near conveys things; we must use deus ex machina.
The afterword indicates that the trilogy may become a quartology. If I find the fourth in a used paperback and I'm out of reading material, I may finish it. Otherwise, no.
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LibraryThing member Smiler69
In Book 1 of the Tales of the Otori series, set in a fictitious feudal Japan, 16-year-old Tomasu has just discovered that all the occupants of his village have been massacred by the men of Iida Sadamu, lord of the Tohan, in a campaign to persecute Tomasu's people, a religious minority known as "The
I was immediately absorbed with Takeo's plight and the exciting buildup in this novel. I must admit that some of the politics and descriptions of combat were sometimes a bit beyond me, having never had a head for such things, but this story of oppression, betrayal, true love and heroism, has all the ingredients to make me want to come back for more. I highly recommend the audiobook version, which is narrated by two beautiful and soothing voices, which nonetheless express the attitudes of each of the characters with great skill and give the overall story a tone of composure quite in keeping with a hero's journey.
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Hidden". Tomasu is rescued from sure death by Lord Shigeru of the Otori people, who takes the just-orphaned boy under his wing and, determining that his name gives away his origins, renames him Takeo. Traumatized by the recent events, Takeo is unable to talk for some time as they make their way to Otori country, but quickly discovers that his hearing has become uncommonly sharp. Lord Otori Shigeru puts his charge in the hands of a master who trains the guileless young man in the arts of combat and duplicity, and also teaches him to make himself invisible and project his image, which are skills Takeo has inherited from the father he has never known. The narration occasionally alternates between Takeo's first person account and the events surrounding Kaede, a 15-year-old girl who has been held hostage by the the Tohan people half her life, and whom Lord Sadamu is determined to marry off into the Otori clan in order to secure an alliance. We follow the two young people as they make their way to Iida Sadamu's castle, where both their fates are in the hands of the ruthless warlord. Takeo has sworn that he will kill Sadamu to avenge his people, and the only real barrier standing between him and his nemesis is a floor which sings like a nightingale at the merest tread.I was immediately absorbed with Takeo's plight and the exciting buildup in this novel. I must admit that some of the politics and descriptions of combat were sometimes a bit beyond me, having never had a head for such things, but this story of oppression, betrayal, true love and heroism, has all the ingredients to make me want to come back for more. I highly recommend the audiobook version, which is narrated by two beautiful and soothing voices, which nonetheless express the attitudes of each of the characters with great skill and give the overall story a tone of composure quite in keeping with a hero's journey.
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LibraryThing member bkoopman
Set in a remarkably envisioned feudal Japan, it would be easy to mistake this book for historic fiction. Across the Nightingale Floor has opened my eyes to a new subgenre: historical fantasy. Nightingale fits this subgenre only in its superb rendering of a place in time.
Takeo is the hero,
It turns out that Takeo is also a member of another secret group, The Tribe. He is endowed with super-human powers that must be developed, and which become critical for the battles between good and evil. Typical of Joseph Campbell's definition of a hero cycle, Nightingale is a monomyth, the type of story I love: unlikely hero is born of seemingly ordinary roots, has supernatural capacity, battles evil, and brings goodness to ordinary people. Hearn has given birth to a likable hero. I look forward to reading more.
Takeo is the hero,
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orphaned, then rescued by the good man, Lord Otori Shigeru. Three nations exist on this fantasy island off Japan, and the evil Lord Iida wants it all. It is he who is responsible for killing Takeo's family, because one of his goals for domination includes killing all members of the religious sect, The Hidden, a group with parallels to Christianity. Lord Iida also wants to control the three major nations, and schemes to do so through a marriage agreement that draws Takeo, Shigeru and Kenji into battles and suffering. Takeo faces many coming-of-age dilemmas including falling in love with Kaede, the betrothed woman (girl) of Lord Iida's plan.It turns out that Takeo is also a member of another secret group, The Tribe. He is endowed with super-human powers that must be developed, and which become critical for the battles between good and evil. Typical of Joseph Campbell's definition of a hero cycle, Nightingale is a monomyth, the type of story I love: unlikely hero is born of seemingly ordinary roots, has supernatural capacity, battles evil, and brings goodness to ordinary people. Hearn has given birth to a likable hero. I look forward to reading more.
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LibraryThing member Woodcat
Spellbinding. Fewer and fewer books these days, as I get older, enthral me but this one did. A magical tale of derring do. Loved it.
LibraryThing member Cygnus555
I love a good Fantasy story that isn't too over the top. I put "Name of the Wind" by Rothfuss and the Dragonlance Trilogy in this grouping. I now add "Across the Nightingale Floor".
I found this book by chance in Moab, Utah. This little independent bookstore "Back of Beyond Books" had a whole set
As a child, I loved the stories of ninja and Shogun... what little boy didn't? This resonated with me without being too cliche. Once I started, I could not put it down. I burned through this book in record time (for me). I can't wait for the next in the trilogy!
I found this book by chance in Moab, Utah. This little independent bookstore "Back of Beyond Books" had a whole set
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of these books. A quick glance through the series revealed that it was a highly praised series... and one I had never heard of. I had to have it. As a child, I loved the stories of ninja and Shogun... what little boy didn't? This resonated with me without being too cliche. Once I started, I could not put it down. I burned through this book in record time (for me). I can't wait for the next in the trilogy!
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LibraryThing member GingerbreadMan
On the day Tomasu’s family are slaughtered for worshipping a forbidden god, he is saved by the warrior Shigeru, a leading nobleman in the clan Otori. Otori used to be the leaders of the Middle country, but were defeated and humiliated by the clan Tohan. Hidden under Shigeru’s protection, Tomusu
A pretty solid novel, establishing a world closely resembling feudal Japan, but with some fantasy elements. The blend reminds me of Guy Gavriel Kay’s way of handling historical fiction. An exciting plot, full of twists and turns, some great characters (including more than a few kick-ass female ones, the deadly Shizuka posing as a giggling servant girl being my favourite), a touch of impossible, young love and some übernasty villains… Yep, we have a page-turner, people.
There’s a fair bit of lyrical imagery here, and a fair bit of sentiment too, but it’s handled well and never becomes mushy. Quite the opposite, I was surprised at the cruelty of the book and it’s world many times. It keeps you on your toes as a reader, as Hearn doesn’t hesitate to kill off major characters in nasty ways when the plot calls for it. Concluded but pointing forward, this is an exciting first book in a YA series I’m looking forward to continuing.
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gets a new name and a new family. But soon he realises he is also a part of a slowly developing plan for the Otori to rise and get their revenge on Tohan. A strange new teacher is bringing out magical abilities in him he didn’t know he had. But is also, it seems, prepared to claim him for himself and the Tribe, a secret bloodline of spies and assassins.A pretty solid novel, establishing a world closely resembling feudal Japan, but with some fantasy elements. The blend reminds me of Guy Gavriel Kay’s way of handling historical fiction. An exciting plot, full of twists and turns, some great characters (including more than a few kick-ass female ones, the deadly Shizuka posing as a giggling servant girl being my favourite), a touch of impossible, young love and some übernasty villains… Yep, we have a page-turner, people.
There’s a fair bit of lyrical imagery here, and a fair bit of sentiment too, but it’s handled well and never becomes mushy. Quite the opposite, I was surprised at the cruelty of the book and it’s world many times. It keeps you on your toes as a reader, as Hearn doesn’t hesitate to kill off major characters in nasty ways when the plot calls for it. Concluded but pointing forward, this is an exciting first book in a YA series I’m looking forward to continuing.
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LibraryThing member stephmo
In one afternoon, Takeo (once Tomasu of the Hidden) sees his life go from that of a simple, peace-loving country boy to being the adoptive son of the leader of the Otori clan, being trained in the way of a warrior. As we make our way through the story, we'll discover that the annihilation of an
As an aside, the audiobook takes the time to have two different narrators read Takedo and Kaede's parts (male and female, respectively). In the end, this actually detracts from the overall experience of the book, as the female narrator tends to make all of her female characters sound like small, frightened girls no matter the situation. It's not horrific, just one of those minor points of irritation when the narration shifts.
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entire village is not what it seems and that Takeo's ability to hear anything and everything is not a gift of chance. Did I mention the love story involving the kidnapped slave girl who may or may not be cursed with the ability to bring death to anyone she is betrothed to just before they marry? All in all, this first book in the Tales of the Otori series (once a trilogy, long since expanded), manages to paint a harsh picture of the structure of Feudal Japan, the tight structure for each class and weaves an exciting and often violent story with a side of romance. Of course, we get very wrapped up in honor and promises whenever we need such a construct to throw up artificial conflict (and ignore it when we also need conflict), but I suppose this is the author's right. I will likely read future volumes, but I do hope that we find that Takeo's conflict arises from more sincere places rather than random promises he'll be forced to follow when it is quite clear that he's willing to ignore others when it suits him.As an aside, the audiobook takes the time to have two different narrators read Takedo and Kaede's parts (male and female, respectively). In the end, this actually detracts from the overall experience of the book, as the female narrator tends to make all of her female characters sound like small, frightened girls no matter the situation. It's not horrific, just one of those minor points of irritation when the narration shifts.
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LibraryThing member nnschiller
A slightly fantastical adventure-romance set in feudal Japan. It works as a period piece and as a counter to run-of-the-mill fantasy genre pieces. On its own, it was enjoyable, but not outstanding. The characters were largely set-pieces and they didn't seem to grow or change much in this novel or
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the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member ragwaine
After picking up a tiny little book that had just the first half of the story in it and reading that, I decided to finish it on audio. I enjoyed it, but don't really feel like I need to read the other books. Which is actually not a bad thing because it means the first book concluded successfully
One thing I didn't like was that the hero of the story was visiting whorehouses where it sounded like there were "underaged" girls and he himself was in his mid-teens. So first off, gross, and second, it just doesn't seem very "heroic" to have your young hero paying for sex. There wasn't any description of what happened, just a sentence about him visiting often. I'm like, "Would Captain America go to a brothel?" "Would Aragorn go to a brothel?" "Would Harry Potter go to a brothel?" I mean Geralt of Rivia or someone like Wolverine sure, but those "anti-heroes" and they're kind of assholes.
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and didn't leave me hanging. In the end, this is YA stuff and I'm in my 50's so I need a little more adultness to be interested in reading an entire series.One thing I didn't like was that the hero of the story was visiting whorehouses where it sounded like there were "underaged" girls and he himself was in his mid-teens. So first off, gross, and second, it just doesn't seem very "heroic" to have your young hero paying for sex. There wasn't any description of what happened, just a sentence about him visiting often. I'm like, "Would Captain America go to a brothel?" "Would Aragorn go to a brothel?" "Would Harry Potter go to a brothel?" I mean Geralt of Rivia or someone like Wolverine sure, but those "anti-heroes" and they're kind of assholes.
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LibraryThing member capetowncanada
Thought this book was fast paced with no dull spots. A lot of interesting subplots going on throughout the story. I thought some parts of the story could have been explained in more detail. Favorite quote " and so like a coward I put it out of my mind."
LibraryThing member lewispike
The start of the journey of Takeo, a ninja by any other name, with the confusing heritage of being raised a pacifist Christian too.
LibraryThing member leore_joanne
Another book which literally flew out of my hands in a couple of hours. This is one of two books which I've confiscated from my little brother once I saw that they were not for his age.
For some reason it reminded me a bit of 'Assassin's Aprentice', though there are no similarities except for his
The story is set in Feudal Japan, a very interesting era, about which I have read in only one book so far (Shogun), and adds a touch of the preternatural. The book is just plain fun, the story and the telling of it is smooth and just leads you through it.
I was very surprised to discover that the author was American and not Japanese.
26.3.07
For some reason it reminded me a bit of 'Assassin's Aprentice', though there are no similarities except for his
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special powers. The story is set in Feudal Japan, a very interesting era, about which I have read in only one book so far (Shogun), and adds a touch of the preternatural. The book is just plain fun, the story and the telling of it is smooth and just leads you through it.
I was very surprised to discover that the author was American and not Japanese.
26.3.07
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LibraryThing member sleepydumpling
Quite enjoyable, a fascinating tale but not requiring a lot of thought. Characters I could understand and empathise with, as well as baddies I could hate.
LibraryThing member Safia
This is a fantastic story for young adults and adults alike - you can become really immersed in the culture and the world you're transported into.
Great, really enjoyable read and different.
Great, really enjoyable read and different.
LibraryThing member littlegeek
Most fantasy I categorize as fluff, but this trilogy is an exception. Lyrical prose, suspenseful plot, multi-dimensional characters, this book has it all. And it really appealed to my feminist heart. There are even a few twists I didn't see coming. I tend to side with the pirates, but this ninja
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yarn had me from page 1. Show Less
LibraryThing member WinterFox
I like Japan probably quite a bit more than the next person, and so I tend to be very wary about books that purport to get Japan without really being Japan, or even that try to get Japan at all in novel form. Capturing the feel of it is pretty difficult, I think, even if getting the trappings isn't
What a nice surprise it was, then, when this book really did feel about right for the older, pseudo-Japan setting that it was aiming for. Sure, geographically, it's not Japan, even if the place names are (Yamagata is very important here), but it's definitely meant to be that way; even the idea came to her when she was living in rural Japan. But the writing is spare, and the characters' thought patterns seem to work. Even the dialogue comes across about right.
The plot's pretty interesting, as well; a teenage boy taken in after his village is destroyed by a powerful lord, and is trained to become his successor and help solve some political problems the lord is having. There are a lot of machinations, and they're not always telegraphed, which is nice. Further, the other main character, a woman who's been a political hostage since age 7 and is now 15 and coming into her own as a potential power, is asked to go off and marry the lord to secure an alliance. The story is told from alternating perspectives, and the characters are fairly well realized, even if I don't really feel much of a change in style between the two (the boy's is first person, the girl's isn't).
Anyway, the plot works pretty well, with a good amount of action and such on top of some romance and some political conniving. I enjoyed it enough to go straight into the second one, so you know there's got to be something there.
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so hard.What a nice surprise it was, then, when this book really did feel about right for the older, pseudo-Japan setting that it was aiming for. Sure, geographically, it's not Japan, even if the place names are (Yamagata is very important here), but it's definitely meant to be that way; even the idea came to her when she was living in rural Japan. But the writing is spare, and the characters' thought patterns seem to work. Even the dialogue comes across about right.
The plot's pretty interesting, as well; a teenage boy taken in after his village is destroyed by a powerful lord, and is trained to become his successor and help solve some political problems the lord is having. There are a lot of machinations, and they're not always telegraphed, which is nice. Further, the other main character, a woman who's been a political hostage since age 7 and is now 15 and coming into her own as a potential power, is asked to go off and marry the lord to secure an alliance. The story is told from alternating perspectives, and the characters are fairly well realized, even if I don't really feel much of a change in style between the two (the boy's is first person, the girl's isn't).
Anyway, the plot works pretty well, with a good amount of action and such on top of some romance and some political conniving. I enjoyed it enough to go straight into the second one, so you know there's got to be something there.
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LibraryThing member titterington
I discovered this book while commuting in Chicago - listened to it via ipod and LOVED it. I am now re-reading in preparation for the fourth book and cannot put it down. It is a fabulous tale of life and love in feudal Japan.
LibraryThing member chatfielda
In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the murderous warlord, lida Sadamu, surveys his famous nightingale floor. Constructed with exquisite skill, it sings at the tread of each human foot. No assassin can cross it unheard. Brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and
The Tale of the Otori starts with a bang as Takeo is taken from his simple peaceful life and trained in the ways of the Tribe, all the way seeking his revenge on Sadamu. The story, told in a mythical Japan that never was focues on the magical, otherworldliness of the ninja and samurai warriors without ever calling them as such. Before Ninjas were as popular as pirates, Hearn was writing his historical fantasy. As stark and emotional taught as Japanese folklore itself, the action will carry you straight through to the novel's sequel and every novel thereafter.
It is a a bit stylized, relying heavily on the American perspective of a revenge oriented, high flying power hungry civilization filled with the slithering darkness and smooth sword skills of the Japanese, but it's also a fantasy, so the criticism is balance in the novel's own detachment from reality.
At its core though, this book does everything it sets out to do. It tells the epic tale of revenge and love so instilled and part of the culture and literature of the age and turns it into an incredibly engaging adventure. Highly recommended.
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spiritual people, Takeo has learned only the ways of peace. Why, then, does he possess the deadly skills that make him so valuable to the sinister Tribe?The Tale of the Otori starts with a bang as Takeo is taken from his simple peaceful life and trained in the ways of the Tribe, all the way seeking his revenge on Sadamu. The story, told in a mythical Japan that never was focues on the magical, otherworldliness of the ninja and samurai warriors without ever calling them as such. Before Ninjas were as popular as pirates, Hearn was writing his historical fantasy. As stark and emotional taught as Japanese folklore itself, the action will carry you straight through to the novel's sequel and every novel thereafter.
It is a a bit stylized, relying heavily on the American perspective of a revenge oriented, high flying power hungry civilization filled with the slithering darkness and smooth sword skills of the Japanese, but it's also a fantasy, so the criticism is balance in the novel's own detachment from reality.
At its core though, this book does everything it sets out to do. It tells the epic tale of revenge and love so instilled and part of the culture and literature of the age and turns it into an incredibly engaging adventure. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member NativeRoses
Across the Nightingale Floor is written in lyrical prose about an imaginary realm that is like mystical, feudal Japan.
16-year-old Takeo is a young man who belongs to an unpopular religious sect. He finds his village in flames and is saved from death by Lord Otori Shigeru. He becomes Shigeru's
The novel works well for a wide range of readers -- those who like historical fiction, fantasy, thrillers, martial arts, Asian focused works, and those who appreciate lyrical prose.
16-year-old Takeo is a young man who belongs to an unpopular religious sect. He finds his village in flames and is saved from death by Lord Otori Shigeru. He becomes Shigeru's
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protege and falls in love with the stunningly beautiful Lady Kaede Shirakawa who is promised to another man. He also discovers that he is a member of a group of assassins with magical powers called the Tribe. As he grows, he discovers the ability to create a double of himself and become invisible.The novel works well for a wide range of readers -- those who like historical fiction, fantasy, thrillers, martial arts, Asian focused works, and those who appreciate lyrical prose.
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LibraryThing member jegan22280
This book was great! I loved almost everything about it. The characters were involved, the story was interesting and the plot was well balanced. The only disappointment here was the rather abrupt end.
LibraryThing member traveltrish
I adored this book and the series in general. I probably wouldn't have read it but the book was chosen by the library in which I worked as our One Book One Salisbury (Adelaide). I totally fell in love with the setting, the characters and the writing in general. The title alone evokes images of
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ancient, feudal Japan. The author - Lian Hearn, was an absolute delight to meet as well. She lives a very private life in South Australia. She totally immersed hereslf in Japan, learning to read and write the language as well as learning about the history of the country. She drew upon Japanese history upon writing this book, which was really interesting to know. I have suggested this book to many people. Show Less
LibraryThing member CaroTheLibrarian
Set in a fictional country, rather like Japan, Across the Nightingale Floor and its sequels are hugely complex reads for young adults. Takeo is 16, and has been raised by his mother and step-father as one of the Hidden, a religious sect unpopular with the ruling feudal lords. When they are killed
With themes of love and revenge, these novels are certainly more suited to older teenagers, especially as there are scenes of sexual tension, and some highly violent episodes. I would highly recommend the series though, as long as you are prepared to keep track of a complicated array of character and place names.
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in a massacre he find himself adopted into one of the most powerful clans. With themes of love and revenge, these novels are certainly more suited to older teenagers, especially as there are scenes of sexual tension, and some highly violent episodes. I would highly recommend the series though, as long as you are prepared to keep track of a complicated array of character and place names.
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Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2007)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2007)
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2002)
IBBY Honour Book (2006)
The White Ravens (2003)
Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (Winner — 2004)
Peter Pan Award (Winner — 2004)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2004)
Language
Original publication date
2002-08-22
Physical description
xviii, 361 p.; 20 cm
ISBN
0733615651 / 9780733615658