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Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One
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Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One Paperback - 2003

by Lian Hearn

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Set in an engaging, alternate Japan, this first book in a new epic trilogy has already become a bestselling sensation in England and Australia, earning comparisons to "Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." It begins with legend of a nightingale floor in a black-walled fortress--a floor that sings in alarm at the step of an assassin.

Summary

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...

An international bestseller, Across the Nightingale Floor is the first book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn.

Reader reviews for Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One

From the publisher

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...

Details

  • Title Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One
  • Author Lian Hearn
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Riverhead Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 2003-06-03
  • Features Maps
  • ISBN 9781573223324 / 1573223328
  • Weight 0.59 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.16 x 0.91 in (20.32 x 13.11 x 2.31 cm)
  • Age range 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 840
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Medieval (500-1453) Studies
    • Cultural Region: Asian - Japanese
  • Category Fiction - Fantasy
  • Library of Congress subjects Historical fiction, Japan
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"Satisfyingly rich in incident yet admirably spare in the telling...Hearn has created a world I anticipate returning to with pleasure."—The New York Times Book Review



"The most compelling novel to have been published this year."—The Times (London)



"The most extraordinary novel...The passion and rapture of this story is so compelling that it's almost worth delaying your holiday for."—The Independent on Sunday (UK)



"Complex...fast-paced, arousing adventure reminiscent of Arthurian legend that's told with all the urgency of a modern-day thriller."—Book Magazine



"Across the Nightingale Floor is as exciting a debut as any in recent years—part Shogun, part Lord of the Flies and entirely enchanting."—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Citations

  • Booksense '76 Sep/Oct 2003, 09/01/2003, Page 1
  • Kliatt, 09/01/2003, Page 24
  • New York Times, 06/15/2003, Page 20

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.

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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Lian Hearn

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Very Good, some yellowing of pages
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First Riverhead
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Across the Nightingale Floor
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Across the Nightingale Floor

by Hearn, Lian

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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori Series #1)
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori Series #1)

by Lian Hearn

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Penguin Group (USA), 2003-06-02. paperback. Very Good. 5x0x7. Has moderate shelf and/or corner wear. Great used condition. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations.Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders.
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Across the Nightingale Floor
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Across the Nightingale Floor

by Hearn, Lian

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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
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Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

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Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
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Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One
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Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One

by Hearn, Lian

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9781573223324 / 1573223328
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Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One
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Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity available
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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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