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Reading Group Forum

otori — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:26:19 CDT

Welcome to the online reading group for Across the Nightingale Floor!

Below are a set of questions with which you can begin your discussions.

Lian Hearn makes an interesting point that there is usually a situation where one is forced into realising that they have passed from childhood into adulthood. Do you think this is generally the case and how different is the experience for Takeo than it is for Kaede?

What do you think is the significance of the reader learning Takeo's real name only at the end of chapter three, when he has fully accepted his new persona and role in life?

Iida's nightingale floor is created to avoid his own assassination. What point do you think Lian is making with regard to the significance of this floor?

How would you describe the relationship between Takeo and Kenji?

How do different characters attitudes towards death differ?

How do formalities of behaviour influence feudal relationships, and the relationships between men and women?

If there are any questions you'd like to suggest for other reading groups to consider, please enter them here

If you would like to enter some general comments about the book and the discussions your group had, please enter them here

Readers' Comments on Across the Nightingale Floor

otori — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:53:44 CDT

To enter your suggested questions onto this wiki, simply scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on the 'Add a Comment' button. And let us know the name of your Reading Group too.

It'll be really interesting to discover if every group has discussed the same topics and has similar feelings about Across the Nightingale Floor, or perhaps each group has approached the book in a completely individual way.

The Tales of the Otori Series

otori — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:28:53 CDT

There are five books within the series.

ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR:

In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the murderous 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. Brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people, Takeo has learned only the ways of peace. Why, then, does he possess the deadly skills that make him so valuable to the sinister Tribe?

These supernatural powers will lead him to his violent destiny within the walls of Inuyama - and to an impossible longing for a girl who can never be his. His journey is one of revenge and treachery, honour and loyalty, beauty and magic, and the passion of first love.

GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW:

'The most compelling novel to have been published this year' The Times

Takeo begins his training with the Tribe, who are determined to make him their most deadly assassin yet. As his extraordinary skills develop, he begins to discover more about these people, his adoptive father Otori Shigeru - and his own identity. Most chillingly of all, he learns that if he takes up his inheritance as leader of the Otori clan, the Tribe will hunt him down forever - perhaps even kill him.
Meanwhile, far from her lover, Kaede becomes central to the power-broking played out between the clans. Can she, as a woman, take control of her own future, and use her intelligence and cunning to assert herself in this world of all-powerful men? And will the fated lovers be forever separated? Weaving the same magic as Across the Nightingale Floor, Grass For His Pillow is just as powerful, just as exciting, and just as fascinating. Lian Hearn's claim to classic status is confirmed once again with the second book in this extraordinary trilogy.

THE BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON:

Takeo and the exquisite Kaede, still only teenagers, are now married, but the implacable forces of destiny that rule their lives tear them apart. Takeo, a battle-hardened warrior at the head of an army fighting for his Otori birthright, finds his courage and leadership forged in the fire of bloodshed and sacrifice, while his legendary magical powers are tested to their limits against the invisible assassins of the Tribe. Kaede, determined to reclaim her own lands, is treacherously betrayed and forced into marriage. Their love will survive until death – but death, in this savage, beautiful world, is always only a moment away.

THE HARSH CRY OF THE HERON:
Takeo and Kaede have ruled the Three Countries peacefully for over 16 years, following the tumultuous events laid out in the epic Tales of the Otori. The land and people are peaceable and calm, the world is balanced and Heaven seems to shine upon them. They have three daughters. Shigeko, 15 years old and heir to the vast territory, is developing into a bold warrior with meditative powers, making her wise beyond her years, and Maya and Miki - twins, two years her junior - have inherited the supernatural powers of their father. However, an attempted assassination of Kaede at the New Year ceremonies reveals that the inescapable forces of destiny still bear down on Takeo and those he loves, and that forces from his past and from beyond the Three Countries are plotting. While his strength and power come from the enduring love of Kaede, the blind sage's prophecy that only his son could bring death to him, haunts his thoughts.

The last book, Heaven's Net is Wide, has just been published this September and is a prequel to the entire series. Visit the page Heaven's Net is Wide for more details or click here

To purchase any of the books in the series, click here

All the books are available in audio too, if you are interested in learning more about those, please click here

Home

otori — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:35:35 CDT

Welcome to The Tales of the Otori wiki site!

Thousands of readers worldwide have loved and been enthralled by this series of books which all take place in the ancient Oriental lands of the Otori, where epic storytelling speaks to all, across genres, genders and generations.

‘A thrilling tale of love, violence, loyalty and betrayal, fast moving, set in a far-away country long ago’ - Guardian

‘The plot is gripping and the writing is beautiful, packed with authentic, atmospheric detail’ Daily Mail

‘Blood-splashed combat alternates with contemplative stillness, and the writing is extraordinary.’ Evening Standard

Written by Lian Hearn, the tales are breath-taking epics of warfare and sacrifice, passionate revenge, treacherous betrayals and unconquerable love.

The ancient mythological world of fierce chivalry is compelling and creates timeless storytelling that will endure for generations of readers to come.

This site has been set up as we'd really love to hear your feedback and thoughts on the books. And to kick start this we have contacted various libraries throughout the UK and very excitingly they will be working with us on this project. Reading groups up and down the country will be reading the first book in the series, Across the Nightingale Floor, answering some reading group questions and coming to this wiki, to offer their answers, discuss the book online and swap views with other groups around the UK.

But this wiki is open to anyone interested in participating. All you need to do is read Across the Nightingale Floor and then sign up to enter your feedback.

If you are interested in any other books published by Pan Macmillan, then do feel free to have a look round our website, just click here.

Heaven's Net is Wide

otori — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:29:37 CDT

Heaven's Net is Wide is the first and last Otori Tale, which both closes the circle and introduces new readers to the strange and beautiful world of the Otori. Published this September 2007, it can be read as a stand-alone novel, or as a stunning prequel to the entire series.

Lord Shigeru, heir to the Otori clan, faces hostility from the shrewdly ambitious Iida family in the East and base treachery at home from his uncles. His noble education and training as a warrior have prepared him for leadership and combat, but fate and Shigeru's youthful determination bring the Three Countries to war, and he must endure terrible and tragic defeat at thebattle of Yaegahara... and its brutal consequences.

Heaven's Net is Wide is an epic historical fantasy of revenge and betrayal, honour and loyalty, beauty and passion and the overwhelming power of love.

To read an extract from Heaven's Net is Wide, click here

Author Details

otori — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:29:23 CDT

Lian Hearn studied modern languages at Oxford University and worked as a film critic and arts editor in London before settling in Australia. A lifelong interest in Japan led to the study of the Japanese language, many trips to Japan and culminated in the writing of TheTales of the Otori trilogy.

You can visit Lian's website at http://lianhearn.com/