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Across the Nightingale Floor

The Bestselling Historical Fantasy Classic

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Across the Nightingale Floor

By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Aiko Nakasone, Kevin Gray
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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

 Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Heartfelt

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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 read the the Nightingale Floor many years ago, together with the rest of the series and keep them in my bookcase now. Finding them on audible was like a gift just for me. This version is wonderful and the two narrators are exceptional. I will be using my credits to buy the remaining books to enjoy all over again. Thank you audible for giving me this gift. It will follow me for the rest of my life.

I love this book!!

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A great book. begining to end I was very invested even tho I struggled as the two main characters were read by two different people by the end I felt it really added to the story

Intriguing , emotional and interesting.

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I reas this book years ago a d wanted to revisit it with Audible. eautifully narrated and was a joy to listed every single inktense of it.
on to the next one!

fantastic story and very well narrated

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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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