Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One


Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
118
Narrator
16
Release Date
July 2002
Duration
8 hours 27 minutes
Summary
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.
Reviews
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Todd Lamb

Made me enjoy my long car rides even more. I loved the male reader. Very calming and mystical.

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Anonymous

What a great book! The narrators were wonderful, too. I was surprised to learn that the writer is a Westerner and the locations are fictional. I can't wait for the next one.

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fstony

Love at first sight, riding and swordsmanship, oaths of fealty, forbidding castles, political marriages, magic tutors...This book has more of chivalry than most Arthurian tales. There are two narrators: a male narrator reading the sections seen from the boy's point of view, and a woman reading the girl's point of view. One of these is just fine and the other has a rather dull delivery.

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Philip H.

Great book from start to finish, with lots of action, developed characters, culture, and potential for future stories. I just downloaded Book #2 of this four-part story. Male narration was excellent. Female narration was excellent most of the time, but occasionally would read her part very slowly.

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Hank F.

Loved this book. Beautiful use of language.

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Obi O.

I loved this book. Fascinating story. Loyalty, honor, love.

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Anonymous

This was absolutely beautiful. The narrators did a great job. I look forward to listening to the rest of the series.

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Bob King

Excellent book. Beautifully written and very well narrated. Although the Japan depicted was imaginary, Lian Hearn did a very good job of adhering to the ancient Japanese way of life, the hierarchical structure of their society, etc. So the environment he created felt real. Because the book is abridged you will miss some details, particularly it seems in Takeo’s training, but those omissions did not take away from the excellent story line. I cannot wait to receive the next book in the series, which is unabridged.

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Anonymous

Great story and great narrators. I would be interested to hear the unabridged version but the abridged version was wonderful. Often, abridged books seem thin but I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to more books by this author.

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Jo Lindsey

I don't usually rent abridged versions of books but this one was excellent. The story grabbed my attention from the beginning and made me want more. I am facinated by Takeo's fight to stay alive when so many are trying to kill or control him. I cheered Kaede's struggle to claim her freedom and independence as a woman. Their love is very powerful and engaging I hope they get some long years together. Can't wait to listen to book two.

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Anonymous

This isn't the typical book I would go for, but I ended up looking forward to my commutes so that I could continue listening to it. If you compare it to calligraphy, it makes sense... a quick glance just shows some simple lines of ink on a page, but there is more to it. Written in simple and straightforward language, it was clear and direct, and built on the shoulders of Japanese samurai fancy.

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Scott Janulewicz

I got this book in the mail not even remembering I had ordered it. What a great surprise. Action, adventure, romance, mysticism, it's got it all. For me the reader can make or break the book. The woman reader was annoying the man reader was good.

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Janice Church

Compelling. Action packed. The imaginary setting seems real.

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Mark Pope

Interesting premise, good characterization. Reminds me of James Clavell's Asian Saga novels (King Rat, Noble House, Shogun, Tai-pan) in that it immerses the reader in the culture and teaches while entertaining.

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Anonymous

Wonderful! Can't wait for the next set of CD's to see what happens.

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MLG

Great listen. I was drawn into the story right away. I look forward to the rest of the series.

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James Evans-White

I loved the world that was created in this book. Great surpize that there were two narrators, really counter-pointed the male/female lead characters.

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