Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One

Lian Hearn

Jun 2003 · Tales of the Otori Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

An international bestseller, Across the Nightingale Floor is the first book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko.

In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the warlord Iida 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.

The youth Takeo has been brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people who have taught him only the ways of peace. But unbeknownst to him, his father was a celebrated assassin and a member of the Tribe, an ancient network of families with extraordinary, preternatural skills. When Takeo's village is pillaged, he is rescued and adopted by the mysterious Lord Otori Shigeru. Under the tutelage of Shigeru, he learns that he too possesses the skills of the Tribe. And, with this knowledge, he embarks on a journey that will lead him across the famed nightingale floor—and to his own unimaginable destiny...

Ratings and reviews

I read the trilogy several times . This is one of the best series I ever read. U can visualize the scenery of Japan the landscape the culture and the characters. I fell in love with the story I could actually imagine it as if I was watching a movie . This is a must read I think I'm going to buy again.

Totally engrossing. I can't say enough good things about all of her books... a real page-turner in every sense Should be read in publishing date sequence because that's how the characters develop.

Forget Harry Porter. This is a great series for all Japanese ninja nuts like myself. L. H. did a great job bringing out the characters and locations, made me feel as if I was there along with them.

About the author

Lian Hearn is the pseudonym for the writer Gillian Rubinstein, currently living in Australia, who has a lifelong interest in Japan, has lived there, and speaks Japanese. All five books in the Tales of the Otori series—Across the Nightingale Floor, Grass for His Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon, The Harsh Cry of the Heron, and Heaven's Net is Wide—are available now from Riverhead Books. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko.