Across the Nightingale Floor cover art

Across the Nightingale Floor

Tales of the Otori, Book 1

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Across the Nightingale Floor

By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Aiko Nakasone, Kevin Gray
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About this listen

In his palace at Inuyama, Lord Iida Sadamu, warlord of the Tohan clan, surveys his famous nightingale floor. Its surface sings at the tread of every human foot, and no assassin can cross it. But 16-year-old Otori Takeo, his family murdered by Iida's warriors, has the magical skills of the Tribe - preternatural hearing, invisibility, a second self - that enable him to enter the lair of the Tohan. He has love in his heart and death at his fingertips....

Lian Hearn's stunningly powerful best seller, Across the Nightingale Floor, is an epic story for young and old. Set in a mythical feudal Japanese land, a world both beautiful and cruel, the intense love story of two young people takes place against a background of warring clans, secret alliances, high honour and lightning swordplay.

The first novel in the epic Tales of the Otori series, Across the Nightingale Floor is followed by Grass for His Pillow and Brilliance of the Moon.

©2003 Lian Hearn (P)2003 HighBridge Audio Fantasy Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Heartfelt

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All stars
Most relevant  
Read the books, then brought these audios for my daughter who just loves to hear them over and over again.
Great themes especially if you find Japanese history and myth a big interest.

Great for the whole family.

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What an amazing book, story and reading methods. Chapters alternatively read by Aiko and Kevin.
The story is such a mix of beauty and harshness. Honor and love. Emotions hidden and revealed. So I look forward to the next in the series

Wonderfully constructed story and reading

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perfect story and narration... one of the best I've listened to....on to the next one

brilliant!

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This book really did have a touch of magic in every word, in my opinion. Takeo's loyalty to Otori Shigeru was haunting and so perfectly constructed and his determination and drive to do the right thing kept the story going forwards brilliantly. Kaede's innocence but also her determination and strength of character made her a force to be reckoned with all of her own. It was beautifully written.

In terms of historical accuracy for the setting, I really don't know... but the book has characters with literal magic powers so I'm sure it can be forgiven for any inaccuracies, because it's clearly not set in the world as we understand it anyway.

I'm excited to read the rest of the series. Definitely glad I took the time to listen to this book.

Action packed and otherworldly

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Easy to listen to, enjoyable and throughout and with a good development of characters. At the same time a lot of rarely known facets of Japanese society are referenced allowing the reader to learn more about medieval Japan through a fantasy setting

only complaint: a bit short

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A great book. begining to end I was very invested even tho I struggled as the two main characters were read by two different people by the end I felt it really added to the story

Intriguing , emotional and interesting.

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I read this collection of books many years ago, and was contemplating reading them again when I saw them on Audible. The story was as engrossing as I had remembered, but this was let down a little for me by the female narrator, very monotone and emotionless; my partner overheard me listening to it and thought it was a computer generated voice. The male narrator was excellent though, and has more of the story, so overall it was a pleasant return to this enthralling story for me. Will look forward to more in this trilogy (and the other books) 😊

Great storytelling

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I read these books years ago when they were first published and this reminds me what a great story they tell. Well read too.

Japanese Game of Thrones

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Liked the male narrator,. but the female narrator was a little lifeless. Great story, would recommend.

Enjoyable

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Excellent quick paced and interesting story, which will keep you listening and wanting more and more.

Excellent story

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