The Pillow Book: Series 1-11 cover art

The Pillow Book: Series 1-11

A Full-Cast Historical Crime Drama

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The Pillow Book: Series 1-11

By: Robert Forrest
Narrated by: Benedict Cumberbatch, Cal MacAninch, full cast, Mark Bazeley, Ruth Gemmell
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About this listen

A thriller and love story set in 10th-century Japan.

Lady Shonagon is an imperial courtesan, living at the court of the Japanese Emperor in the 10th century. When a series of disturbing thefts within the palace walls throws the court into confusion and unrest, Shonagon is appointed guide and assistant to Lieutenant Yukinari as he investigates.

Together, Shonagon and Yukinari must solve the mysteries and escalating crimes that plague the Japanese court, and their romance blossoms in the tightly enclosed world behind the high palace walls. But soon Shonagon's lover Tadanobu becomes uncomfortable with how closely they are working together....

The Pillow Book is inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the empress of the 10th-century Japanese court. The work of the real-life Sei Shonagon consists of essays, lists, anecdotes, poems, and descriptive passages about her daily life.

This full-cast drama stars Ruth Gemmell as Sei Shonagon, with Yukinari played by Mark Bazeley in series 1-3 and Cal Macaninch in series 4-11. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Tadanobu in series 1.

Directed by Lu Kemp.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Historical Thriller & Suspense Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
The cast are exceptional and the story is a magical mirror viewing into imperial Japan. I wish there was a sequel!

Absolutely enthralling and so beautiful.

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The hours flew by listening to this. Really enjoyed the whole story. Unusual and lived the insight into Palace life. Was a tad disappointed with the end as it felt a bit rushed.

Acting was good and the emotions of the various relationships came across well.

I’m just thankful I wasn’t around during those times.

I’d recommend if you like romance mingled with a bit of Japanese history

Engaging story and acting

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beautiful acting, the spoken words perfect. sad the cast changed but shonagon is just superb

delightful

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I really enjoyed this lots, of great characters and stories that developed. Really well performed and really enjoyable.

A Great Listen

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The production of this play is brilliant - the music, the performances and the way it is written and presented lends itself to a wonderful audio experience. The only minor blip was the change in actor playing the policeman midstream - it's a jarring note .
My issue with this piece is that it starts to feel monotonous and after being gripped by the first few chapters the production values arent backed by enough substance.
I appreciate that this book was never intended to be consumed in this way ,but it was a real struggle to get through to the finish and I ended up starting a new audio book and just dipping back into this one a chapter at a time for its soothing and rather soporific nature.
If you have an interest in Japan and the Imperial court in the Heian period and are looking for a gentle listen that doesn't really challenge then The Pillow Book is for you -personally I'd have preferred a more ruthless editing of Shonagon's ramblings . Less is often more and certainly so in the case of the lady and her lists!

Starts well but loses engagement

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The characterisation was perfect, voices exactly right for each one and beautiful to listen to. The plots and underlying themes were fascinating. The crafted embodiment of the Japanese court ran through the book and there was a completely believable love story.

I loved this audiobook an embodiment of old Japan

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but becomes increasingly tedious fading to nothing. listen to the first half and then stop

starts well enough...

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A fascinating glimpse into the life of ancient Japan, brought to vibrant life through the eyes of the Lady Shonagon, court lady and poet.

One of my all time favourites

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good good overall but her lists become extremely self-indulgent and the story very good at the beginning and ok in the middle becomes very unrealistic and slightly strange at the end the acting is very good good though the characters change two different actors Midway through the drama which is a shame because I connected really well with the first detective overall for me me 6 and a half out of 10

quaint at first but her lists become indulgent

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Superb performances, transports you into the world of the palace life of Japan in the past. The rigid rules of behaviour and relationships define every aspect of the characters lives and the separation of the life of the palace and the rest of the world is truly stunning. Great story lines, well acted and satisfactorily realised made these a very enjoyable listen.

Takes you into their world

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