Skip to content

Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One Paperback - 2003

by Lian Hearn

Set in an engaging, alternate Japan, this first book in a new epic trilogy has already become a bestselling sensation in England and Australia, earning comparisons to "Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." It begins with legend of a nightingale floor in a black-walled fortress--a floor that sings in alarm at the step of an assassin.


Summary

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...

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

From the publisher

An international bestseller, Across the Nightingale Floor is the first book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko. 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...

Details

  • Title Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One
  • Author Lian Hearn
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Riverhead Books, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date 2003-06-03
  • Features Maps
  • ISBN 9781573223324 / 1573223328
  • Weight 0.59 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.16 x 0.91 in (20.32 x 13.11 x 2.31 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 840
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: Medieval (500-1453) Studies
    • Cultural Region: Asian - Japanese
  • Library of Congress subjects Historical fiction, Japan
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"Satisfyingly rich in incident yet admirably spare in the telling...Hearn has created a world I anticipate returning to with pleasure."—The New York Times Book Review



"The most compelling novel to have been published this year."—The Times (London)



"The most extraordinary novel...The passion and rapture of this story is so compelling that it's almost worth delaying your holiday for."—The Independent on Sunday (UK)



"Complex...fast-paced, arousing adventure reminiscent of Arthurian legend that's told with all the urgency of a modern-day thriller."—Book Magazine



"Across the Nightingale Floor is as exciting a debut as any in recent years—part Shogun, part Lord of the Flies and entirely enchanting."—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Citations

  • Booksense '76 Sep/Oct 2003, 09/01/2003, Page 1
  • Kliatt, 09/01/2003, Page 24
  • New York Times, 06/15/2003, Page 20

About the author

Lian Hearn is the pseudonym for the writer Gillian Rubinstein, currently living in Australia, who has a lifelong interest in Japan, has lived there, and speaks Japanese. All five books in the Tales of the Otori series--Across the Nightingale Floor, Grass for His Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon, The Harsh Cry of the Heron, and Heaven's Net is Wide--are available now from Riverhead Books. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Lian Hearn

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£1.00
£2.43 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books. Used - Good. . Former Library book.. All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofit job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.
Item Price
£1.00
£2.43 shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
King of prussia pa, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£2.03
£3.23 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. May contain highlighting, handwriting or underlining through out the book. Book may show some wear. Used books may not contain supplements such as access codes, CDs, etc. Every item ships the same or next business day with tracking number emailed to you.
Item Price
£2.03
£3.23 shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.05
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£4.05
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2003-06-03. paperback. Good. 5x0x7.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2003-06-03. paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x7.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2003-06-03. paperback. Good. 5x0x7.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2003-06-03. paperback. Good. 5x0x7.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.86
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2003. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£4.86
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1)

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.98
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
£4.98
FREE shipping to USA
Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Across the Nightingale Floor : Tales of the Otori Book One

by Hearn, Lian

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781573223324 / 1573223328
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£5.39
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£5.39
FREE shipping to USA