Across the Nightingale Floor cover art

Across the Nightingale Floor

The Bestselling Historical Fantasy Classic

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About this listen

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.

Lian Hearn's stunningly powerful bestseller, Across the Nightingale Floor, is an epic story for readers young and old.

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 sixteen-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 . . .

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.

'Quite simply the best story of magic, love, sex, revenge and suspense to have come this way since Philip Pullman.' – Independent on Sunday

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Critic reviews

Across the Nightingale Floor remains quite simply the best story of magic, love, sex, revenge and suspense to have come this way since Philip Pullman.
Across the Nightingale Floor was described to me by the young man in Borders bookshop as a "Japanese Harry Potter, only better". In fact, it's a different beast entirely. Much darker, much sharper, much less predictable.
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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I was hooked from the start, and stayed up half the night to finish it. Gripping adventure and strong characters whose lives intertwine in cruel and beautiful ways. I loved both the story and narration, and can hardly wait for the next in the series. Highly recommended!

Story telling at its best

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I remember my English teacher over a decade ago recommended me this book. I had forgotten all about it until I saw it here and decided to grab it. Absolute gem of a story, thanks Mrs. M!

Amazing story

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

Enjoyable

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