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  • Across the Nightingale Floor

  • Tales of the Otori, Book 1
  • By: Lian Hearn
  • Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
  • Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (229 ratings)

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Across the Nightingale Floor

By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
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Publisher's Summary

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

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....

©2002 Lian Hearn Associates Pty Ltd (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

What listeners say about Across the Nightingale Floor

Average Customer Ratings
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A story to binge on over and over

I love this series, I read the books over and over and when I heard this Audio book I was very careful with being critical of how it was read. I love it, I love the voices, the portrail of characters and the pronunciation of the words. Thank you.

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    4 out of 5 stars

After Shogun I was looking for more tales of Japan

From the first 10 minutes I was in. The twin narration was excellent. The sounds of drums and symbols added to the drama

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Best series ever

Incredible powerful, captures the power and blindness of first love. The combination of stories always keeps you listening for the next chapter.

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👍

Lian Hearn is always a fantastic author, unfortunately I can't read for long periods of time, so this is the next best thing. The narrators have done a good job and tried to make the best they can.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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As good as I remembered!

Great book that I loved reading many years ago. Engaging story and easy listening. Recommend to any fantasy fans.

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A pleasant journey

An interesting story, both narrators were well matched with good delivery. Onto the next.

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wonderful story

A memorable story, rich and descriptive. Great characters with well rounded and generous of detail.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Simple yet effective Japanese feudal fiction

This is a well told, fairly straightforward story with a good balance of esoteric ninja magic, action and romance. The characters are well drawn and engaging. I wasn't gripped by the start but the story grew on me quickly. Good to see a strong female character with a female voice on narration.

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Long and Winding Story

A lovely slice of Japanese culture and beliefs. Female narrator's range a little too narrow.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic and innovative

Fantastic story, eagrely moving on to it's sequel. The audiobook makes good use of sound effects to help set tones like that of ancient japan which adds to the story, and the 2 narrators helps differenciate the characters. Overall a great listen.

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